upstateRN

agree with what premedbosna wrote. i sent you a pm pumpkin. take a look when you have a moment.

i wrote a whole big write-up and then lost it, thanks to the great editing box here.. i'll give you the digest.. i got into school with a MICU background. I haven't started yet, so can't comment on the utility. However, the experience you get is only good if you take from it that which is important and apply it to school in the right way. MICU usually offers a variety of experience and exposure to different patient populations. I believe this to be important for a CRNA. Your previous experience will come in handy as well. your best litmus is going to come from someone on the adcom or an instructor who knows what their particular school is looking for. I believe deep down you know the answer to this question. Look at your quoted message above. that's basically what it all boils down to.

hollyhox, and jls189 how did you like the advanced patho class? any insight into the class? i could not find a syllabus on the information page. i am looking into doing it at umass. thanks

University of New England has online Organic Chemistry II. University of New England - COM - Online Education - Online Organic Chemistry II contact information is on the page. costs are below: Tuition & Fees Credits: 4 Tuition: $1040 Registration: $10 Materials: $240 Total: $1290

UNE has Organic chemistry II as well. University of New England - COM - Online Education - Online Organic Chemistry II Tuition & Fees Credits:*4 * Tuition:*$1040 Registration:*$10 Materials:*$240 * Total:*$1290 Registration and books are non-refundable. Tuition is partially refundable for the first four weeks. Please see the syllabus for details. Other details and contact person on link above. --- Mo

I find our practice in my hospital is similar to detroitdano's. Generally we give 2 weeks and attempt weaning.. After that if the patient continues to fail trials the discussion about trach begins. If there is obvious need beforehand, then attempts are made to start discussions earlier.. Very rarely they will give someone an extra few days or a week if there are musculoskeletal issues that may improve with specific treatments and need time to respond.

rnmama3, I agree with Class2011 that calling the school to find out specifics on what you could have done to make yourself a more competitive applicant. From what I have gathered here, schools usually like this. The information can be helpful for future attempts. It also gives you a chance to perhaps stand out and have familiarity with the board the next time around. Your stats seem good, save perhaps for the GRE. One option is to retake it or seek out schools that do not require it. i am not sure what the situation is with the schools that you are attempting to go to. I agree with questionsforall that you may want to attempt taking some more advanced science classes which will aid you with schooling, regardless of the route you take. However, I would emphasize that you should not be discouraged. It would be a shame to give up because of not getting in on your first try. The fact that you were granted an interview is a big step in the right direction. Something about your application, be it references, experience etc made them want to talk to you and give you face time. Sometimes the interview and reaction are what accepting boards base their final decisions on.

I did the ER to ICU route. I joined a new grad program which was 1 year in the ER, combination of hands-on and classes. I then transition to the ICU. I think the ER gives you valuable experience with drips, and vents. It helps you to think on your feet and react appropriately based on what you are being presented with. As TLLCRNA said, you learn to handle unstable patients and how to multitask. Many times you really are starting from scratch. A patient might come into the ER in serious distress and needs to buy a tube quick, but there is no access for drugs to be given. I think this environment prepares you later on to react to "emergencies" on the floor and codes etc. Going to the unit will be a substantially different sphere of experience. The focus is completely different. You will appreciate the training in the ER as it will show you how disease progress. Normally we don't get to see what happens long-term in the ER with the patients as we are more concerned with the stabilization and hopefully a quick transfer to the unit that will help the patient best according to their needs. If you really want to get the ER experience to add that to your belt, then by all means go for it. It is a very marketable asset, especially depending on the hospital/type of ER it is. If all you really want to do ICU though, and that is really where your heart is, you can always just for that and then try to cross-train in the ER to get that experience too. Hope that helps.

I am in agreement with the above. Appropriate sedatives and pain relief if not already running an infusion. Also, having the extra fluids and a bag of pressors at the ready are excellent suggestions too. It's Murphy's law, and many times they are needed. I have seen patients drop their pressures fast depending on their reaction to the agents that are given. An additional note, we are in a teaching hospital, our policy mandates a critical care fellow be at the bedside. Depending on your facility, you have to make sure those things are in place as well. Of course, always ensure there is a consent in place before anything is done. Sometimes people get trigger happy and some of the fundamentals have not been addressed.

Hi Millie09, Where did you take your online classes?