ECU_CRNA2B

Oh yes. I don't know how i could have done both, b/w the homework, careplans, OR time and shear mental/physical exhaustion. Most programs make sure your days are pretty full and when they aren't there is ALWAYS something you should be reading, studying or writing...

Just wanted to say thanks for all the great info here... I graduated last May and have been working in NC since. I am considering move to central florida and have been doing the best i can just searching the internet randomly for information (and gaswork). Badphish and happy halothane any other info you may have on the conditions of CRNA practice there would be helpful. I am lucky to have a very autonomous practice here and wonder what it is like there.... thanks!!!

Hello all you smart ones.... I could really use some tips. I am in my OB rotation at present and my hardest thing is truly identifying interspinous spaces. An MDA told me today that some just have a knack for feeling them, others have to work at it....apparently I am the later... I would greatly appreciate any help. I mean I can ID intercrestal line and a plumb line down from C7, but on the prego's with some posterior/inferior fluff above the crack, it is tough. Muchos Grassy-ass.

First the onus thing (yeah, makes me feel all smart on the inside--ha ha). I think I let a little of my frustration creep in there...oops. the majority of the courses are great, however there are a few along the way that lack 'instruction' or 'teaching', hence, its up to you to read, learn, etc. moving on.... core courses. I took as many as possible and am damn happy I did. They are frankly a pain in the a** to take while trying to keep your brain in the anesthesia world and deal with clinicals and a complete lack of time. I would highly recommend it. To keep in mind though---if you MUST have fulltime financial aid, taking the core courses ahead of time means you'll have to take some independent study classes along the way to maintain 9credit hours (the program director is real cool about helping you with this). If you don't require fulltime-take the damn things for sure AND yes, you can, b/c they are all online, so you can take them on the computer from Ohio or Tibuctoo (?sp?):typing To prep for the interview: know the answers ahead of time and practice saying them in front of a mirror--it avoids the "um, uh, well, " bit. Classic questions regardless of the school: 'why do you want to be a CRNA", "how have you prepared yourself (and your family) for this endevour", "why do you feel you are prepared to pursue a Master's education", will usually ask a question pertinent to your ICU experience ( IABP, bolts, etc). These are quesitons you usually already know the answers to, but you have to find a way to answer clear, concise, brief (to-the-point) without hesitation. the town: very little hear considering the huge university and level one trauma center here, but its not like you'll have loads of free time to 'play'. Yes, the beach is 1-1.5 hours east, Raliegh/Durham/Cary are about 1-2 hours to the west (here you'll find EVERYTHING) you could want for the 28 months (large malls, airport, spiffy restaurants,etc) Feel free to PM me as you get closer and if you have more questions....

Strengths: class size each year 12 students, all clinicals at one location: Pitt County Memorial Hospital, the only level one trauma center east of I-95 in North Carolina ( you also go to it subsidary smaller community hospital for about 1 month and the ambulatory surgery center for about a month). As a level one trauma center PCMH offers great variety of cases. 3 classess have graduated with a 100% pass rate so far (some of those who graduated last month haven't taken boards yet...). Accredited by COA for 10years--the longest you can get. Classes start in January of each year, you graduate in May 28 months later. The first year is 95% books (i.e: this is a front loaded program). You take 2 semesters of med pharm with med students (and this will kick your ass, but offers some good stuff), also take a gross anatomy with cadavers over the summer (this will consume your entire summer but has lots to offer as well). Also take physiology, organic chemistry, physics, anesthesia pharmacology, basic principles of anesthesia, etc. The second year is 95% clinicals (mon-thur 7a-3p; which actually works out to be 0530-1530/1600) and 2 hours of class each friday. You rotate thru some weekends and do some evenings. If you like smaller class size and one clinical spot and front loaded program this is good. You must have the desire for self-driven education as the majority of the onus to understand and learn this material in the first year is wholly on you. If you are more the 'integrated learner' this isn't it. Down-sides are the same as the plus(es): small classes, so they will know your name, one facility for all your clinicals, etc. Here's a link to check out the curriculum and such.. http://nursing.ecu.edu/msn_concentrations.htm#na good luck.

I have two friends who graduated from the program within the last 2 years. I would check into what financial aid would be available to you from this school...as their credentialing was kinda up in their air for a while and so was their ability to have their students qualify for federal financial aid.......

thanks ralatek for the dosing guidelines....to the others, I understand the FDA approves of only gtt purposes of cardene however, like many drugs in this profession, things aren't always administered under FDA guidelines or approval. Much thanks!!!!!!!!

Was wondering if anyone has suggestions for administering cardene via IV BOLUS.... how you mix it/concentration and how much you 'bump' in at a time.... grazi

If the school has 'core courses' like theory, research, etc.--take these and get them out of the way, this will ease your pain during school and will show you are committed. Evaluate the experience you get in the coming year, a lot of places look for ICU experience that familiarizes you with vasoactive gtts, ciritical thinking, specialized EQ (aline, swans, IABPs, bolts, ventrics, etc). If your ICU experience isn't giving you these opportunities, seek one that does. Put yourself in their shoes by making yourself the best choice of those they will interview in the next round--sell yourself!! good luck

Wondering what advice CRNAs have about that first job... My clincals are at a level 1 trauma center, should I stay at a large facility to avoid loosing new skills (i.e. heads, hearts, trauma, OB, peds) or go to a small(er) hospital? What are potential questions that I should make sure I have answers to? What about salary vs hourly pay? I have about a year left of school and funds are dwindling. Currently I am a 'free agent' (meaning i have no stipend as yet), anyone know of availability of funds in NC or FL? thanks!

I just started my nuero rotation and would appreciate info to clarify the techniqes of anesthesia used when doing SSEP, MEP and EMG monitoring. I have heard 2 twitches, no NMB, 1 MAC, Grazi!

Greetings CRNA folk... As an SRNA, we just went over the 'math' of epi doses/concentrations. I am still a little 'in the woods' on this concept and was wondering if ya'll had some thoughts/advice on the topic. thanks to all.

I agree with those that have encouraged you to seek employment elsewhere. Ironically, on the pre-CRNA thread there is a post on 'why do you love nurse anesthesia'. Perhaps it is pertinent at this time to ask yourself the same question...what is it that you do love? what is that truly makes you 'hate' this profession it took a great deal of work to get into? If you still love patient care and advocacy, but hate the uphill battle your institution gives you, change jobs. Having you unhappy in your job is a disservice not only to you, but to all the patients you provide care to each day--they deserve the very best of you and your efforts and no matter how good you are, if you are as miserable as you say you are, then you aren't giving 100%. Decide if you still love nurse anesthesia, if you do, make the hard and heartfelt moves to continue it, somewhere else. Also, the notion someone offered of teaching was a good thought as well--if, and only if, you still love nurse anesthesia. you have a lot of thinking to do, but if you want to be happy, you must decide. good luck,

I got the student health insurance plan thru my school. While the insurance itself is NOT, NOT great, it meets the requirement for having insurance for only $1200/year. If I was sickly and needed services outside student health services barely anything would actually be covered. Since I go to a university, there is a student health services on campus--this is where I luck out and utilize that service, instead of my insurance. I get all the yearly shots, have a place to go for that pesky sinus infection and they do prescription filling--the insurance helps here, by keeping the price down since I am going thru student health services. Oh, FYI, good ol' wally world (wal-mart) is taking there new generic drug program idea and expanding to more states. This is there latest initiative is to offer all generics for $4--yes, four american dollars. It started in Tampa, Fl, but I know they are expanding out. Just a thought,

willti Yes, your UNC courses should transfer without problem, but it is always a good idea to hang on to the syllabus. Should you need to 'defend' that one course is equivalent to another, the syllabus is your 'proof' of what material the course taught. Just my two cents on that one. Japaho: Yup, you can take as many as you can or want to or don't want to. They are built in so you are under no obligation to complete them, but it will be courses that 'distract' you from your anesthesia and other courses that are VERY time consuming. Willti-I will PM you on location. --K