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Sorry. Let me clarify. I work OB and am very competent with epidurals, spinals, etc. But it is very interesting to learn the OB side of it. I do not want to just accept the patient for a C section, but want to understand the genetic, disease, and anatomical issues that are prominent in the OB field. To have a better understanding of the patient I am dealing with. Hopefully to provide more complete care with the team.

Everyone here is right. Make a plan. I seem to remember that Medicare will pay retro-active, but it took almost 6 months to get my number. Once I received that I could then apply to Medicaid and private insurances. Remember that there is a lot of Medicaid providers that refuse to pay retro-active. And getting a billing company is a must. You can go with a big firm, or find a small one working out of their home. There is no way you will be able to see the number of patients that you must to make a profit, and do the billing yourself. And remember 40% of what you bill will be written off as uncollectible, 40% will be paid but will take up to three months, and the last 20% will come from patients monthly billing so you will only see minimal payments, if your lucky. Keeping the cash up front model is the better option.

Just trying to get some inside info. I am a CRNA that would like to get more education in what I am doing while doing OB GYN shifts. Is there a conference that is renown for being full of education in this field.

TCU accepted Flight Nurses years ago, as a matter of fact one of the administrators was a prior flight nurse.

TCU15SRNA can you email me at [email protected] , I just have a quick question.

I think TCU accepts ER experience.

First you have to realize it is not going to be fun. Everyone will say "it's the hardest thing you will ever do", well they are right. I tried to understand this before starting but until you have gone through it, there is no way to comprehend the magnitude of the undertaking. If you ask any CRNA if they thought school was "fun" they will only say "its do-able", that means its hard as heck and if you work to your maximum effort you will "do-it". The first couple months in a front loaded program are the worst as far as stress. No one wants to fail, but some will not make it, everyone knows this but do not want to think it can be them. The majority of those that fail will weed out the first couple tests, this is hard emotionally for everyone. You will do bad on the first couple tests because you have never been tested to this level, have not studied this many hours on end, and you need to learn the teachers style and the type of questions they ask. Accept this and work through it, do not get bogged down with stress and worry. By the third test you will have your groove down and making good grades and will bring up the first two. Added to this is the stress of being away from family and friends. It can be overpowering and you will want to just give up at times. Again, you just have to work through it, it gets better. For those that bring their families it is hard because they want to spend time with them but they have no time to give, it is all study time. This is very hard to tell children, but you have to find a balance and set your mind to achieve the goal of passing. The best advice I can give is to "start minute one, with full effort and do not relax". From day one start studying and do not let up, if you give more effort than all those around you it will be evident on the first couple tests. I cannot tell you how stressful a program can be if you have a failing grade, you can bring it up, but it is an emotional roller coaster. If you start in august you will have a holiday before the first test, most take the time to relax and see their families, then when they return the first round of tests are around the corner and they realize how far behind they are. Study like a maniac for the first one, then you will know how to adjust your style to the teachers. If you ever catch yourself saying "that's too in-depth, they will not ask that" well stop and start over, they will ask it, and it will be more in depth than you think. Its hard, but by Christmas you will be so proud of yourself. You cannot imagine how much you will learn by then. Just keep studying and do not let up.

You only need two resources in my opinion. Hemodynamics - pacep.org (very well laid out, free if you do not want the contact hours). EKG's - the only book I have ever found that made it simple, indepth, and fun because you really learn and understand it is 12-Lead EKG: The Art of Interpretation (Garcia & Holtz). With both these resources you really feel like you understand the material and it is more than enough for you to answer any questions they give you in a CRNA program.

Parking is only 2 blocks from the classroom, its a general lot, but does not even fill 1/2 up. Tons of parking, and a shuttle takes you to the building that runs ever 10 min's or so. Parking is a non-issue. There are a ton of living opportunities. But I definitely recommend living as close to campus as possible. Loosing precious study time while driving is not the best option.

I would look up the first semester schedule, and determine if you are weak in any area right off the bat. It seems the first semester transition back to "school" is the hardest, the second and following will hopefully just flow and be the same. If it has been years since you took chemistry, then I definitely suggest a chemistry and organic overview (without the lab), it will save you hours of studying. Graduate level A&P can only help, it will not be exactly like the school you attend, but will should be very similar. And again, anything that decreases the amount of time studying one subject gives you extra time to concentrate on another to keep a good grade overage.

Of course they matter. If I take a test then I perform to the best of my ability, only taking it to pass is selling yourself short. Some CRNA programs do look at your CCRN score. I know one program does not ask you any clinical questions if you score above average.

Base pay of 63K. Paid time for classes, extra work, QA/QI, teaching classes, etc etc., usually make 85K - 90K yr (but I tend to work a lot).

I should have clarified my post. I did have 6 years of surgical ICU experience prior to being a flight nurse, and I work in a busy ER part time on the side. My post was because most schools stressed the "recent" part. Mike, your right about the skills and certifications. We are not allowed the light wand though, ha ha. Thanks for all the replies, I anticipated it being school dependent, just did not know if any where advanced skill/practice "friendly".

I am getting my paperwork together to apply to CRNA school later this year, while trying to decide "where" to apply I am a little confused over requirements. All the schools require a minimum of 1 year ICU experience, some seem very strict on this, no ER, only ICU. Is there anyone on this board that was a flight nurse (helicopter) and was accepted using this as ICU experience. And which university's did you feel were very receptive to this experience?