SorenDrake

For this current year's starting class, there were >400 applicants, and there are 150 students in the class (I don't remember how many they invited to interview, sorry). Interview is clinical based, but they try to tailor it to your experience (n...

speed up the clock?!? I want to slow it down; it seems like there are hardly enough hours in the day!

Yes, get chemistry!

TWU requires you've had a chem course within 3 years of starting school, but it isn't a requirement for applying/interviewing. They offer an online course the summer before their classes start that most people who've been accepted take.

Just thought I would share my story of never-ending frustration so that others could make a better-educated decision in loans. I read the loan thread, and decided to go with BankofAmerica's education maximizer and Sallie Mae's tuition answer loan fo...

I work in a 24-bed general critical care unit. We have 2 CV surgeons, do 4-12cases a week. ONly certain nurses who've done specialized training recover them, and they're 1:1 for first two shifts post-op, longer if the pt's really doing poorly. We h...

I agree with the other posters-pull it! If they really need something for frequent lab draws, then you're probably giving a lot of meds. How about a PICC line? Placing one of those makes much more sense-more comfortable for the pt, lasts much longer,...

When you get to a critical care unit, there will be so much to learn, it's just a bit different from classwork. It's more a combination of hands on and reading and gleaming from other people (oops, I'm not sure if that's a real word). Don't worry abo...

Just to update...looks like the enlarged color photocopy of my license I faxed finally did the trick! My funds are set to be disbursed. Thank the Lord, one more thing is done!

well said Adonai

A friend and I were discussing something similar the other day; the nursing school we graduated from is in trouble because their grads passing NCLEX rate is dropping significantly. Everyone's seen it; there were people in your class you knew shouldn...

My cooworkers have been great! The only thing is that every day about 5people ask me if I'm getting excited yet....Yeah, they've been doing that for the past month and a half...and I do mean every day!

One of my first post-CVOH pts was only 40, and he was the worst!! He was so anxious and worked up, trying to wean the vent was very difficult. I finally just told him that there was nothing I could do to help anymore, HE had to be the one to do this,...

Our docs do it occasionally. Very interesting procedure.

Toby's Mum: I print off copies and keep on a clipboard I carry with me everywhere! I'll email you a copy.

I started out in critical care as a new grad, and felt I couldn't have gone anywhere else. I had no problems, finished orientation early; and I have always advocated it, feeling that with good orientation/training it shouldn't be a problem. Keep in ...

My unit has also seen a lot of sick hearts lately; especially MVRs. TOby's mum, I've found it's very important to stay organized! We use computer charting, but it can be difficult to actually sit and chart in those first hours. I have a spreadsheet f...

Lifelongstudent: In regards to your question about discussing school with your boss, I have always felt that honesty is the best policy. When I made the decision I wanted to do CRNA, I was working in a trauma center, no CCU experience. I immediate...

Lonestar: doesn't seem like there are very many of us represented here! Roosevelt: TWU is a didactic program; the first year is all classes on campus, the second year and a half is all clinical at the clinical site. It's almost time to end the wait....

There are review classes available every so often; they're normally 2 days long. I went to one; it was a pretty good experience.

I also transferred to CCU after working in a trauma center. At the time I didn't understand how the experience could really be that different; boy was I wrong! I've learned so much in the past year. Oh, and about ER nurses not wanting to work in CCU,...

dfk, I guess I wasn't clear in my earlier post. After graduating I worked one year in a trauma center, not a trauma critical care. I do feel it was a wonderful experience (I'm pretty darn good at IV's) and I learned a lot. When I decided CRNA was ...

Get very familiar with the drugs/gtts used frequently, particularly starting doses and ranges for titrating. Also, which ones are measured in mcg/min or mcg/kg/min.

It was supplemented by classtime lectures on various topics, and then followed by 5-8 week preceptorship.

Our unit uses it as a component of classroom orientation. i took it when I transferred in; I thought it informative, but I'm such a hands-on learner that I didn't fully comprehend the info until I started working on the floor.