Just finished my first semester. Ask me anything.

Nursing Students SRNA

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Wow...I can't believe it's only been been 3 1/2 months! It feels like it's been at least a year. But finally, a few hours ago today, I took my last final and finished my first semester of CRNA school!

I figured this would be a good time to answer questions anyone may have about transitioning into a CRNA program.

I'm in a front-loaded program, so I can't really help out with any questions regarding clinicals, but if you have questions about didactics and transitioning into school, I'll take a crack at it!

First of all, congrats on all your success. I have a question about shadowing, I was looking at USF's program and it looks like their shadowing is done during school. I am finishing up pre-reqs and starting an accelerated BSN next summer (I have a BA in neuropsychology), I definitely want to go CRNA because I have a knack for pharmacology and a soft spot for those who suffer traumatic injuries and chronic pain. Is it possible to shadow a CRNA before I start the BSN? I want to get an idea of what I'm in for and the day-to-day aspects of the job. My mom had brain cancer, so I'm quite familiar with how the floors function, she was in neuroICU and then on the neuroscience floor. I feel like I got a good feel for those units, but the only contact I had with anyone from anesthesia was at the pre-op visit and in the pre-op unit before they took her back. I'm working on reaching out to hospitals this week, starting with the hospital she spent the most time in. Thanks for helping us newbies and good luck with the rest of your clinicals! :)

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Specializes in PCU, Hospice, Psych, ICU, Case & Disease Mgmt.

I saw in one of ypur earlier posts that you are near Naples. Are you in fgcu CRNA program?

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Hes in another program, I'll leave it to him if he wants to post which one.

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Specializes in PCU, Hospice, Psych, ICU, Case & Disease Mgmt.

Thank you, i live in the Tampa bay area and was thinking about relocating to ft Myers area if i was accepted.

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Specializes in Neurosurgical ICU.
MeTheRN thanks for keeping this thread going! Can you elaborate some more as far as what types of cases have you done so far, how many cases an average you do in a typical day, how many central lines, a-lines, as well as what type/level of supervision there is at different stages of your progress (when you first start the clinicals vs. some weeks down the road).

Thanks again dude, you're great!!!

I'm about halfway through my second semester of clinicals, so roughly 7 months into it. I have approximately 300 cases, 100 intubations, 16 LMA's, 15+ spinals, 2 epidurals, and surprisingly a lot of peripheral blocks (interscalene, axillary, femoral, and popliteal). I haven't had a chance to try an A-line yet, just hasn't worked out yet but I'll get to eventually. I've put in one central line. The types of cases vary, we do a lot of general surgery (lap chole/appy, LAVH/BSO, robotics, cysto, SLN), I've been lucky enough to do a few hearts, carotids, and vascular surgery. I even have a few peds cases, which is pretty lucky for us because there aren't a lot of peds in this town. On a typical day, I do 3-5 cases. We take call with the MDA every few weeks (no CRNA is there with us, just you and the doc). Your first semester, you're with an upper classman for the first month or so, or you're 1:1 with a CRNA. Eventually you're 1:1 with the CRNA all the time. Now that I'm in my second semester, I'm 2:1 meaning I share a CRNA with another student and they run between the two rooms. The MDA is there for induction and emergence. There is a lot of autonomy if you're willing to take it, and I frequently make a lot of clinical decisions on my own. Sometimes I get burned, but I learn from it.

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Specializes in Neurosurgical ICU.
First of all, congrats on all your success. I have a question about shadowing, I was looking at USF's program and it looks like their shadowing is done during school. I am finishing up pre-reqs and starting an accelerated BSN next summer (I have a BA in neuropsychology), I definitely want to go CRNA because I have a knack for pharmacology and a soft spot for those who suffer traumatic injuries and chronic pain. Is it possible to shadow a CRNA before I start the BSN? I want to get an idea of what I'm in for and the day-to-day aspects of the job. My mom had brain cancer, so I'm quite familiar with how the floors function, she was in neuroICU and then on the neuroscience floor. I feel like I got a good feel for those units, but the only contact I had with anyone from anesthesia was at the pre-op visit and in the pre-op unit before they took her back. I'm working on reaching out to hospitals this week, starting with the hospital she spent the most time in. Thanks for helping us newbies and good luck with the rest of your clinicals! :)

Shadowing is getting harder and harder due to HIPAA regulations and hospital credentialing requirements. Honestly the easiest way to shadow would be to tell your school that you eventually want to be a CRNA and see if they can give you a shadowing day while in your BSN. Some CRNA schools have the shadowing days built into their application program, like Barry University. Even as an RN, my hospital would not let me shadow a CRNA in their facility. I actually contacted the school I now attend and they hooked me up with a CRNA in town and he sort of smuggled me into the OR for my shadowing experience.

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Specializes in Neurosurgical ICU.
I saw in one of ypur earlier posts that you are near Naples. Are you in fgcu CRNA program?

Nope.

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Specializes in SICU.

I am having difficulty finding shadowing experience! The hospital I work at quit allowing it 6 months ago. I have left messages with 2 other hospitals but I haven't heard back and it's been 2 weeks! Very frustrating espically since I'm applying in August!

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Specializes in SICU.

Hi, does this book go over anything clinically to prepare you? Thanks.

This is the book you should read.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

NurseJilly2005: It's a great read, but only has minimal clinical mentions. I've asked for reading tips from CRNA friends of mine and they all mentioned a great variety of books, but one that was common in all those recommendation was Miller and Pardo's Basics of Anesthesia (many refer to it as the 'Baby Miller'). If you can get a hold of a copy of this and just skim through what you find interesting, I think it will help you to get an idea of what CRNA's deal with on a day-to-day basis.

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Specializes in SICU.
NurseJilly2005: It's a great read, but only has minimal clinical mentions. I've asked for reading tips from CRNA friends of mine and they all mentioned a great variety of books, but one that was common in all those recommendation was Miller and Pardo's Basics of Anesthesia (many refer to it as the 'Baby Miller'). If you can get a hold of a copy of this and just skim through what you find interesting, I think it will help you to get an idea of what CRNA's deal with on a day-to-day basis.

Hi, thanks for the help I ordered that book from Amazon and will be reading it soon! I will probably order the other one also in the next few months. I have a chemistry class this spring which will keep me busy cause its a lot for Spring!

Jill

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Great thread! My dream is to be a CRNA. I'm currently working in a CVSICU at a large teaching hospital. Just started a couple months ago but so far so good :)

My question is I'm trying to decide when I want to start a family. I ideally would like to start school within the next couple years. Is it wise for me to have a child before I start school?

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