Biochem ? for CRNAs and SRNAs

[indagenes]

Hi ya'll.

I'm new here. I'm a PICU RN considering CRNA school.

I'm nervous about the idea of going back to school, as

it has been about 10 years since I graduated. So,

I'm reviewing my physiology and biochemistry in an

effort to revitalize those old neurons from 10 years ago - agh!).

Here's my question as it relates to anesthesia. What

biochemical pathways/principles are essential to

understand in order to learn anesthesia?

Right now I've been reviewing oxyhemoglobin dis. curve

and catecholamine systhesis. Any other ideas?

I could just review all of biochem . . . but time is $ and

I'd like to learn what I NEED to know first.

Thanks for your help and thanks for a great forum!

[suzanne4, RN]

You are actually going to need to redo all of those science courses. Many programs actually request that they not be older than five years, ten years is a definite retake.

Good luck to you.:balloons:

[indagenes]

Thanks for the heads-up, and that was definently a concern

of mine, but the only program I will be applying to in fact

does not require that the pre-reqs be taken within the last

5 years. So I got lucky.

[suzanne4, RN]

Definitely for ten years after you took those classes, when did you actually graduate?

[IV-PUSH]

I have noticed some programs require a retake of classes that are 5 or 10 yrs. old, BUT it seems I have found plenty of others that say nothing about re-taking those classes...to say those are definitely something you have to re-take seems to be a bit of a broad generalization

[indagenes]

I emailed the director of the program regarding my ?'s on

retaking any prereq's. She explicitly said that I do not have

to retake the courses. That said, I personally believe if you

took the courses and truly learned the material, then you

should know the material and be able to apply to your

profession (e.g., understanding oxyhemoglobin dissoc. curve

helps to understand V:Q ratio and enable me to be a better

ICU RN).

I think it's best to understand the admission requirements for

each program you apply to. As for me, choice of school is

limited by location due to my DH's employment.

Thanks again for the imput.

[jabsmom]

I sugggest that you speak to each school you are applying. I have an ADN from 25 yrs ago, a BSN from 20 yrs ago, a MSN from 15 yrs ago and a NP from 12 years....all of my classes were considered without additional requirements at every school I applied or made inquiry. There may be some exception to the rule. i did have to retake my GRE that was over 10 yrs old.

Good luck!

[indagenes]

Thanks for the wish of luck. Did you by chance have any children

while you were is school? If so, any advice or routines that worked

well for you?

[EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN]

Review the ANS. Know about hemodynamic monitoring and pressors and vents. A lot of this knowledge is just assumed when you start school.