JRoss

Thanks for sharing! I may look into that Discover Health Professions Loan. I don't have any resources except myself until my gf can at least get into residency. I think I could probably get by if I could borrow $75k. Planning to really bust it this year to try and prepare for school. Ideally would like to get started in the August 2021 class.

Replying based on your posting in the Neuro ICU section. First, congrats on your new job! I jumped right into my RN-BSN also while working nights. Assessment skills are vital in any nursing, especially in the ICU. Make sure you are confident in yours. Make sure you know your rhythms. I would recommend finding a good pocket guide for Neuro Critical Care or just ICU nursing in general. Neuro checks are your bread and butter and an accurate neuro check can mean the difference in saving someone's life and them having irreparable brain damage. Don't ever get complacent with your neuro checks. You could give yourself an advantage by learning how to (accurately) perform a MEND and NIHSS exam. Learn these well. Clustering your nursing care/interventions is important in the Neuro setting to minimize stimulation and potential to increase patient ICPs. Delirium, agitation, substance abuse, and DTs are common. Palliative and comfort care is common in the ICU. Ethical concerns arise frequently in the ICU. Lastly, I would say to never be afraid to say, "I don't know." I can't remember how many times I didn't know the answer to something. Make sure you know where to find the answers, though. Try to stay up to date on your literature. Find a good resource person, whether it be an educator or an experienced nurse. When I first started, I would observe other nurses and always try to find what I thought their best qualities or skills were. I did my best to adopt the practices I thought were best into my own. Good luck as you begin your ICU career!

I very much would like to attend CRNA school. I hate that finances are holding me back! I bought a house last year and my girlfriend is also in graduate school. I am not sure how I will afford to pay my bills (i.e., keep my house, lights/water on, eat food) while going to school. It seems like I can take the maximum student loans, as well as the GRAD PLUS loans. I might also look into additional private loans. I doubt there will be many scholarship opportunities and those I have seen were miniscule. Did anyone else face a similar circumstance while they wen't through school? Are there resources out there that I have overlooked or am unaware of? Share your stories with me. I am definitely open to advice.