ASUdevil

Congrats to all who got in. I am a CCF 3rd year SRNA about to graduate. Dunno why I decided to check this site again, but if anyone has any questions or need whatever, feel free to reach out.

Hey SRNA1221, congrats on finishing up your first year. Any advice on study strategies? I’ll be starting my integrated program this summer and curious to see how people manage the vast amount of material. Also, would you recommend a MacBook vs a pc laptop? Or do most student use an iPad with note ability? What do you find most students have success with for day to day management of your studies?

Hey everyone. I am the guy who started this thread a while back. Glad to update that I got accepted this year...having said that, it’s now time to rank preferences for primary clinical sites. Being from out of town I have very superficial knowledge about them. I was hoping someone could give me a little insight on your experiences so far? Thank you in advance.

I got an acceptance offer as well...I never had a chance to check if my status had changed to blank or anything. Congrats to everyone as the offers keep coming in. Is anyone starting up a social media group?

Anyone interviewing late this week interested in getting together for dinner or hangout, drinks? I am flying into Cleveland Thursday, interviewing the following day. Wouldn’t be opposed to a little social time amidst the stress and anxiety of the process!

I received an email for an interview today as well. Excited about moving forward in the process! Where is everyone from?

Congratulations to everyone that got accepted! I am excited for you all. I am currently on a delay-decision status. The admissions committee sent me a letter saying that they want me to take a graduate level science class before making a decision. I am currently working on that class and should be finished with it before the holidays. I am not sure where that leaves me or if I still have a chance of getting in for the cohort starting in 2019. Maybe the class is already full. But I am hopeful that after I complete the coursework I can join the rest of you in the SRNA journey! Best wishes to all and happy upcoming holidays!

Got that email today too. Still under review, interviews in October.

In our 32 bed ICU we usually have 2 techs (CNA/PCT). Their responsibilities are to help with stocking the rooms, help with ADLs, turns, cleanups, and run some specimens to lab (those that cannot be sent through our tube systems), they also pick up blood products from blood bank, can help mobilize patients. They're trained to draw blood peripherally and from a-lines. But I never really see any icu nurse delegate that to a tech. In addition, our techs get specialized training on prepping for our bedside EVD placements (process takes like 20 minutes in a sterile setup). I appreciate our techs to no end!

Seems like you're describing two different goals within one approach. What type of MSN are you seeking? From what I understand (and I could be wrong), some of these direct MSN programs are geared towards FNP or CNS roles...in those cases I think that having bedside experience as a RN/experience in healthcare would be very helpful, but not absolutely necessary with the right individual and proper training. These roles are not at the same pay scale or scope than ADN or BSN RNs. If you're considering CRNA school, that's a completely different professional track. For that option, clinical experience as an ICU nurse is absolutely necessary. As far as I know the only way to become an anesthesia provider without prior clinical experience might be through CAA programs or the med school route. And yes, it is possible to get ICU experience as a new grad. I am just not too clear on the type of MSN program you're describing. Is it more like an accelerated post-bac program that awards a BSN at the end?

Definitely be up front about your employment history. If you leave it out and then it comes up in any way, you'll have no recourse and simply be seen as dishonest. That'll disqualify you from most, if not all jobs and can even be grounds for termination if you do gain employment while omitting your work history. Plus, Nursing can be a very small community. You never know when and where you'll run into that residency director or who is buddies with him/her. I would definitely describe it as "not a good fit" and that you are seeking new opportunities...which you are. None of that is deceiving. And only give additional detail if absolutely necessary. Seems like you are taking responsibility for your shortcomings and not just blaming others for it. That goes a long ways if you do have to go into detail about the situation. Best of luck.

I was always taught no. And it's not fair to put a PCT or CNA in that situation. The only exception for me is, if for example I am in the room with both hands busy (starting an IV or something like that) and the monitor or pump beeps. I might ask the CNA or PCT to silence or restart the pump. But it's considered outside their scope to troubleshoot it themselves and take action on pushing a button without direction or supervision by the responsible RN.

ICU. 1:2. Some become 1:1 with specific clinical situations. And on rare occasions we end up with a 2:1 (if we don't have nurses qualified with the necessary combination of specialty modalities- i.e. a pt. requires IABP + CRRT or pentobarb coma + CRRT)

Have a good attitude and learn as much as you can. No matter how much of a rockstar you were in nursing school, that means nothing now. So always listen, learn to identify the good and the bad (you'll see plenty of examples of both) and also to identify who is a resource to other nurses in your unit. You're not expected to know anything, so don't ever feel the need to withhold a question you may have for fear of seeming dumb...just remember, you're new. You're allowed to ask anything and everything. Think of it this way...right now you're new...you don't wanna be asking New grad questions a year or two from now! And whatever you do...try your hardest to resist saying "oh I know" when a preceptor or experienced nurse tries to teach you something, even if you do know. Worst case scenario, you learn what NOT to do and also get to figure out if this nurse can be a good resource to you or not. Heck, you might even learn a new detail, technique, or approach to doing something you thought you knew everything about. Lastly, never say no or decline experiences...do everything, learn everything. And always be on time...5-10 minutes early that is. Best of luck.

Always have a female staff member (PCT, CNA, another RN, charge nurse, whatever) present in the room when you're doing anything that may be misinterpreted or even remotely be potentially considered culturally taboo between a male and female. Like straight caths, Foley insertions, skin checks, wound care, basic cleanups, whatever involves disrobing or exposing the patient in any way. Always remain professional, no matter what rapport you build with your patient. And be aware of strict religious/cultural issues like with super conservative populations like Muslims, orthodox anything and in general people who identify themselves as very shy, or victims of prior abuse. You can never be too safe. When in doubt, have an extra set of eyes with you so that you have a witness of no wrong-doing. This approach has served me well. I once had an elderly Neuro patient with progressive dementia who misinterpreted a clean up as an attempt to "get fresh" with her. Needless to say, I had a girl PCT in the room with me doing the cleanup and it never was an issue because she as able to corroborate that nothing inappropriate had happened. Zero issues in 5 years of working in an ICU...don't ever get caught in a situation where is your say vs the patient's say.