MayisontheWay

I crunched the numbers before deciding which school to choose...I had a choice. The Army Program and my civilian program were absolutely EQUAL as far as money. My choice was made for me when my husband got transferred, but my first choice was absolutely the Army program. The part you are leaving out is the salary they get while in school, which is somewhere around $80k depending on rank. You are also forgetting that not only do you get a salary while in the military programs, you are also giving up a salary to go to a civilian school. So while you inflate a civilian salary after graduation and deflate the Army salary, you come up with your distorted numbers. In the end, it's straight up even. Get your facts straight before you start bashing these programs. They are ranked at the top for a reason, and they routinely turn down applicants even if the class isn't full. Their standards are quite high, and they don't compromise. As for people who think you need to be in the service to get in to the school...not true. Direct accession is actually the faster way because if you apply AFTER you're in, you must serve a tour of duty to start (2 -3 years). Direct accession is just that...directly in to the program from a civilian job. Direct accession is a tool that probably won't be around when the military is flush with nurses, but as of Summer of '08, it was alive and well. May, SRNA Class of 2010

A Snickers bar has 323 kcal or 323,000 calories. 1.1kcal really isn't that much, and it won't make you fat!

There are probably many people that could go to school without loans, myself and my friend included. But I'd rather leave the money in savings...(now's a good time to invest BTW) and use loans for school. The other poster is also correct...doesn't make fiscal sense to wait if you can get in now. Speak to a financial advisor...soon! May

Is your degree a Bachelor's? 120 hours or so? It would take another 80 hours of course work making straight a's to get to a 3.0, which really is near the minimum considered...and that doesn't mean it's competitive. 120 x 2.37= 284 80 x 4 = 320 604/200 hours = 3.02 GPA 26 three hour courses Highly recommend you speak to some program directors before embarking on that journey. May

There are many, many, many threads on this subject. Try doing a search! May

The Organic Chem class will increase your GPA by exactly .02 points, assuming you have 120 hours of credit from your Bachelor's. If you have more credits than that, it goes up by even less. Your GPA goes from 3.08 to 3.10 If you really can only choose one, I'd do the CCRN. But the test isn't that hard and really isn't that time consuming. I say dig down deep and do both. The PASS CCRN book comes with a CD...throw out the book and KNOW those questions/rationales on the CD. (I used the book to clarify points, but rarely). May

I worked with a guy that was HIV+ (RN) in my last ICU. He did direct patient care every night. He chose not to take respiratory patients that required isolation. There were no restrictions imposed on him. May

My favorite clerk makes me a copy of the orders so that I can get started on my job while she enters them. I never have to ask. She also does not leave orders hanging in the wind if she doesn't know what it is. She investigates until it's resolved. If she hears me say I need to call such and such Doctor, she says "I'll page him/her and let you know when they're on the line." Are you starting to see that because of her, I get to do my job! She is the backbone of my ICU and does it with a smile EVERY TIME! I never, ever miss an opportunity to remind her how important she is to us. May

Seriously? Maybe you should rethink your career plans! Just kidding! I think everyone bombs the first review...that's why you need to study. I don't know anyone that did "very well" without cracking down for at least a little while. It is definitely a test you can study for and improve drastically...Quant is easier to master than Verbal or Writing, so if you're weak on the words, find a list with definitions and make it your new best friend. Some might say it isn't necessary to do well...I didn't want weakness jumping out to the adcom, so I don't regret the preparation (or the result).

What did you do to prepare for the GRE? If you took it without adequate preparation, I'd suggest redoubling your efforts and retaking it. It actually isn't a horrible score, just not competitive for CRNA school. In fact, if you took it without practice, I'd say you have fantastic potential to do very well on a retest. Your post suggests your problem was timing. There's a book available that ETS publishes with old tests. They also have software that mimics the actual exam (available for free on the ETS website). I would use both of these resources to get your timing down. You're so close! Plus, wouldn't you like to know what you can really do!! May

It's not unheard for schools to accept NICU/PICU. If you know where you are going to apply, it's best to ask that school directly. As for years of experience, I had 2 upon acceptance. The range you are going to see here is 1 to many. If you have a choice, get yourself into an adult ICU, be it Medical, Surgical or CV. Good luck, May

My husband says it would be no problem. But he doesn't fly F-15's...just this old thing:heartbeat

Community colleges do not grant BSN's. As for the other schools suggested, I'd tread carefully in that territory. You need a BSN from a fully accredited school. May

JPHILL, Search in the preCRNA forum for information about the GRE. There are numerous discussions about how to tackle the test. As for my advice, buy a book of tests from ETS, the company that writes the GRE. Use the PowerPrep software at the GRE site (free). Prepare to spend a lot of time practicing your timing. Buy a book of words that are frequently found on the GRE (I used the Flip o Matic from Kaplan)...know those words! There's a ton more advice in the GRE discussions. Most folks don't recommend a class. It's really all about how much time you're willing to spend studying and practicing. Best of luck, May

I start school in August... Definitely have letters from writers that know you well! I called to thank one of my references when I got my letter of acceptance. She told me she was called by the program director and was asked about every aspect of my practice, character, dependability, scholarship, etc, etc. Said she had never been "grilled" to such a degree. My advice to folks who ask me how I got in...Rock the GRE, get great LOR's, get your CCRN, and buy the nicest, most professional suit you can afford for your interview. May

Here is a trick...and it forces you to be honest with yourself. It is VERY time consuming. Instead of rewriting your notes (or in addition to rewriting your notes), turn every single note into a question, either multiple choice or fill in the blank. My tests could end up being 400 or 500 questions/answers long...but I knew exactly where I was weak and where I needed to study. I could also predict with very good accuracy how well I would do on a test. It worked every time....EVERY TIME. I finished my BSN with a 4.0 overall. I only participated in study groups as an additional learning tool for myself, because I ended up "teaching" the group what I had learned. It was a chance for me to refine. I start CRNA school in August and intend to study exactly the same way. I don't think I will have time for study groups though.

Sorry, Tweety. I'm not sure who I'm arguing with anymore. And you're right, it is a shame that some NM's do this. That's why it ticks people off so much. It's straight up dishonesty.

No misinterpretation. It even provides an example. Again, I didn't make the rules, but the rules are very clear.

Gosh, You're absolutely right! Now that I read it again, I see there's no bedside requirement at all.

Critical care practice as a registered nurse is required for 1,750 hours in direct bedside care of (adult, neonatal or pediatric) acutely or critically ill patients during the 2-year period preceding date of application, with 875 of those hours accrued in the most recent year preceding application... Nurses serving as manager, educator (in-service or academic), CNS or preceptor may now apply their hours spent supervising nursing students or nurses at the bedside. Nurses in these roles must be actively involved in caring for patients at the bedside; for example, demonstrating how to measure pulmonary artery pressures or supervising a new employee or student nurse performing a procedure. The bold part is their emphasis, not mine. This is a direct quote from CCRN eligibility rules on the AACN website. http://web.aacn.org/WD/Certifications/Content/ccrn.pcms?pid=309&mid=2869#Initial

The only time I've "waisted" on this topic is here with you guys today. If it meant that much to me, I would've done something months ago. I don't really care what I sound like to you. I'm a rules kind of girl. I follow them and expect others to also. It's what I teach my children and what I expect of them. Following the rules isn't too much to expect of your boss. May

Sorry. We know what we see. If, occasionally, she would raise a finger to help AT THE BEDSIDE we could feel better about her defrauding the AACN for a credential.

I didn't make the rules...the rules are clear. X number of hours at the bedside during the previous year. She simply doesn't do it, hasn't done it since I've been there and has never been seen doing patient care by ANY nurse I've worked with. How do you argue with that?

Because if she isn't doing it WITH us, who is she doing it with? She sure doesn't lift a finger to help when we get slammed with patients.

My NM did exactly the same thing. She has never, ever, ever done a single bedside thing in my presence and yet she sat for and passed the exam. It irks me...I have the same certfication. Every email I get from her with that credential attached to her name makes me cringe. I didn't raise a stink, but have secretly hoped that she gets audited and the credential taken away. I followed the rules and waited until eligible to take the exam. Several of us (staff nurses) have discussed this, so everyone knows she scammed. What kind of example is that??? NM's who think they're getting away with this need to know that they aren't held in higher esteem by skirting the requirements, rather the opposite...they're looked at as frauds. May