What should I do to prepare before school starts next fall?

[Burnt2]

I'm getting a resource job in PACU to familiarize myself with surgery/anesthesia etc

I currently work in CCU

anything else I could be doing?

a class I could take at community college/the local university?

a book I could be reading?

I don't mind spending a little money to get ahead

[starae]

Are you able to take any of your non-anesthesia classes in advance? I wish I would have had the time to take some of the core grad. nursing classes before starting. It is difficult to divide my time and give the other classes the attention and prioity they deserve.

I also worked in PACU before school. It was helpful to be exposed to all the different procedures and get an idea of how long they take, usual blood loss, pain, etc. Not to mention seeing many of the complications of surgery and anesthesia first-hand. I spent a lot of time reading the intra-op record to try to familarize myself with some of the medications and terminology. My unit was very busy with many ICU patients, but I would not recommend working in a slow, lower acuity PACU before going to school because you don't want to lose you skills with hemodynamics and drips.

Most important, relax, sleep, and spend lots of time with your family and prepare them for not seeing you much! Good luck.

[helloRN]

i wish i had also taken a class in phebotomy..i suck at iv's i start crna school in feb i need to learn fast

[skipaway]

i wish i had also taken a class in phebotomy..i suck at iv's i start crna school in feb i need to learn fast

Taking a class in phlebotomy will only help you in locating veins. It won't help you to actually start an IV. Phlebotomists draw blood they don't start IVs. http://www.svs.net/Later/home.htm

If you need IV experience, do some part time work with an IV team or ask the ER if they allow nurses down to do some practicing.

I got outstanding IV skills as a floor nurse before ICU and when I went to the ICU the amount of opportunities to start lines plummeted. I volunteered everytime one of my ICU co-workers need an IV and did not loose my skills.

Having good IV skills before anesthesia school helps to alleviate stress when you get to the OR. So good luck to you.