Current SRNAs, I need your wisdom.

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Specializes in Cath lab, EP lab, CTICU.

Hi All-

So, I need some advice. Having finished the last of my prerequisites in spring, I find myself in a very fortunate position of actually getting a summer break. Working Fri/Sat, I have 5 days free to do as I please. I have been keeping myself busy with misc. hobbies such as guitar class, sewing lessons, and salsa lessons. However, I am thinking now that I ought to devote at least a small amount of time preparing for school. Here's my question for all you guys waist deep in school. Are there things I could be doing, concepts I could be reviewing that might benefit me this fall? I am so psyched to start school, but am starting to feel wicked nervous.

Thanks and cheers!

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Specializes in Trauma/Surgical ICU, L&D.

Work more and save $$$$$$$$ Besides, you don't want to get too used to having free time =)

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Specializes in CTICU.
Hi All-

So, I need some advice. Having finished the last of my prerequisites in spring, I find myself in a very fortunate position of actually getting a summer break. Working Fri/Sat, I have 5 days free to do as I please. I have been keeping myself busy with misc. hobbies such as guitar class, sewing lessons, and salsa lessons. However, I am thinking now that I ought to devote at least a small amount of time preparing for school. Here's my question for all you guys waist deep in school. Are there things I could be doing, concepts I could be reviewing that might benefit me this fall? I am so psyched to start school, but am starting to feel wicked nervous.

Thanks and cheers!

If you got the syllabus of any classes pick the class that you think you will have the hardest time with and start reading. Will be easier for you in the long run.

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Looking back on it, if i had to chose areas in which to concentrate I would have a strong understanding of the autonomic nervous system (understanding receptor/ligand interactions will greatly contribute to understanding of the MOA and pharmacodynamics of everyday drugs) as well as pulmonary physiology (volumes, diffusion, recruitment, etc.)

just my 0.02.

good luck

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Specializes in Cath lab, EP lab, CTICU.
Work more and save $$$$$$$$ Besides, you don't want to get too used to having free time =)

This seems obvious to me- to work and save. However, I've worked my butt off for the last 6 years. I've been juggling a full time with a part time/per diem position, supporting my husband's graduate education. Cutting down my hours this spring to take the two classes was the first "break" I had from work in a long time. I will be working part time through my first two quarters, so I will be getting tuition reimbursement and I don't have kids, so the money thing isn't too bad of an issue.

The syllabus suggestion seems sound, but I don't see how professors or students would want pass their syllabus on- it might be considered an unfair advantage?

Thanks for the suggestion to brush up on the autonomic nerv. system. I will definitely do that.

Thanks all for responding. One more question, what classes did you find most difficult in your program?

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Specializes in CTICU.
This seems obvious to me- to work and save. However, I've worked my butt off for the last 6 years. I've been juggling a full time with a part time/per diem position, supporting my husband's graduate education. Cutting down my hours this spring to take the two classes was the first "break" I had from work in a long time. I will be working part time through my first two quarters, so I will be getting tuition reimbursement and I don't have kids, so the money thing isn't too bad of an issue.

The syllabus suggestion seems sound, but I don't see how professors or students would want pass their syllabus on- it might be considered an unfair advantage?

Thanks for the suggestion to brush up on the autonomic nerv. system. I will definitely do that.

Thanks all for responding. One more question, what classes did you find most difficult in your program?

Many teachers will give you the syllabus ahead of time. What is wrong with catching up on reading?

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Here's my advice....when you start your program, it will become your life. 1) Save enough $$ to get you by until the loans are available.

2) Max out your Stafford and Grad+ loans.

3) Like mentioned before, learn as much as you can about the autonomic nervous system. Additionally, Pick up a simple book, like "Basics of Anesthesia" by Stoetling/Miller (anything else will seem like a foreign language).

4) Buy a laptop...even consider a PDA.

5) MOST IMPORTANTLY, enjoy your free time now. Overplay..not overwork

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Specializes in SICU.

Happy has the right idea. I start CRNA school this fall and have not worked since the end of MAY. I have enjoyed moving and getting settled before school starts. My wife is a L/D nurse and she took off a month before school started. We realized that quality time would be hard to come by during school. We were lucky in that there was enough PTO saved for us not miss a lick. I have enjoyed my wife and children so much this summer. I thought getting into school was the best thing until this summer with the family. I will miss it, but it is all for the best. Good luck to all in and starting school. Remember to study hard and PRAY harder.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

I start school in Jan. 2009. I am working my a$$ off trying to pay off my bills and save money....I am going to quit my full time job the end of november, go on a vacation with my boyfriend, go home (4 hrs away) and spend the holidays with my family! december is going to be my last month of freedom and relaxation.

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Specializes in Cath lab, EP lab, CTICU.
Here's my advice....when you start your program, it will become your life. 1) Save enough $$ to get you by until the loans are available.

2) Max out your Stafford and Grad+ loans.

3) Like mentioned before, learn as much as you can about the autonomic nervous system. Additionally, Pick up a simple book, like "Basics of Anesthesia" by Stoetling/Miller (anything else will seem like a foreign language).

4) Buy a laptop...even consider a PDA.

5) MOST IMPORTANTLY, enjoy your free time now. Overplay..not overwork

Happy Halothane-

Thanks for your reply. I have been living #5 for the last month, it feels great! I'm down one cup of coffee a day and it's purely for enjoyment purposes. Anyway, I was wondering if you could give me some advice on PDA's. What kind do you have and what applications/software were helpful to you?

I've ordered the Basics of Anesthesia yesterday and will dilegently start indoctrinating myself.

Thanks all for your advice and good luck to the fellow first years! Let's keep supporting each other.

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Sounds like you're taking it pretty seriously.

As far as PDA's...they all will seem very complicated at first, but keep in mind they're meant to be very user friendly. It just takes practice.

If you use one for applications, calendar, contacts...it my very well become your life. If you don't use it, it'll be worthless right?

PDA's for the most part are Palm, Pocket PC, Blackberry, or Iphone based.

I prefer Palm, but all have their pro/cons. I have both a Treo and Tungsten. Having WiFI capability is a major plus (Tungsten Tx, Iphone). The Iphone is still limited to useful applications, but I'm sure the platform transfer will be advancing every day.

I've made a couple post about useful programs. The calendar and contacts will come in very handy. As far as applications, you will need a dictionary (Taber's is best), Soto's drug guide, a clinical guide such as Clinical Anesthesia/MGH/Nurse Anesthesia Pocket, and a general nursing drug reference (Epocrates is great, but a major memory hog).

With these programs, you don't need to carry your texts around all the time. I use it to study..even when I'm at my desk in front of the books.

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