gasmn2b

Hey Cowboy, get your facts straight about a program first. TCU offers the same type of masters degree (MSNA). It is seperate from the Harris School of Nursing at TCU. If anyone has questions about degrees from different programs a great place to start is www.aana.com and follow the link for accredited programs. You are right about the BS in another area is accepted at some schools set up similar to this fashion.

Sorry, i misread your OP and thought you meant while in CRNA school. As for now lots of journals and articles on critical care practices. Then once in CRNA school get a good novel. Best of Luck

A good novel to go to bed with. It helps to unwind and get your mind off of the overabundance of materials that will be piling up in front of you.

I think a lot of the attitude that you receive or perceive is based upon what you bring upon yourself. Are you a new grad with the attitude of 1 year and I'm outta here or have you put in the time and gained the respect of other co-workers by showing caring, competent, and above-average work. I had six years under the same unit before I started towards CRNA school. I was friends with co-workers, etc. So, it was no surprise to anyone that I had bigger dreams. Including my manager, who was very supportive and gave me several glowing recs. I never felt any animosity or ill-will. Now, that I am in school and away from my job. I have made it a point to visit and call on occasion just to keep in touch. Like I said before, alot of the feelings can be traced right back to the attitude that you portray when people ask you about your plans for the future. Best of luck to you.

Being in school now and getting to know a lot of different people with a wide variety of backgrounds, the answer is an overwhelming NO!!!! Best of luck to you. Sorry if I might seem a little fed up by these questions. Just be confident in yourself and the rest will follow.

If anyone takes the time to look at the thread on SDN they will realize that the majority of their posters are more worried about length of certain body parts and other mindless drivel. This just goes to show the level of maturity that one can find on a website for nursing professionals vs. Students. I know that residents and fellows can post but look at the name Student Doctor.Net. If I recall even the pre-CRNA sub-section is dominated by those already with a nursing degree and practicing a profession. Don't let these competing forums wreak havoc amongst our profession. As for the actual question at hand, EBP is becoming an increasing part of all nursing practice, not just CRNA. Also, I know I have a research book for this fall as I creep closer to starting NA school.

My situation is also similar except I had no monetary involvement. Just as soon as I found out about my first choice (second school to be accepted to), I personally called the director of the program (of my second choice) and informed her of my change in status with the first school to which I had accepted a spot. This class does not start until Jan '07 and my first choice starts in Aug '07. She was very grateful and understanding, no hard feelings and even complemented me on acceptance at the other program and the quality of the other school, as well. I also sent a fax to the NA office respectfully withdrawing my name effective immediately from their next class. Just my 2 pennies worth. Professionalism is best.

Just had the SNA office mail my textbooks to me last week. I got them in yesterday and I have just two words. OH ______ !! What are we getting ourselves into! Really though, I can't wait to get started and hope that we all do well these next 28 months. Well I guess it is time to get started with some heavy reading. I might not be posting for a while from the looks of these texts. L8R.

I made visits to all of the local facilities and groups and asked to speak with an administrator. I was unsuccessful in my attempts, but It never hurts to try. I did however have an easy-out with the head of anesthesia at the local state hospital. I ended up signing up for 40K repaid over 4 years. Only loop-hole is that I may have to move to another area of the state if the hospital in my town doesn't need me. My wife was not too happy about that stipulation.:uhoh21: But the head CRNA is a friend and I don't think he would do something like that to me. If they can't find a spot within 90 days for me then the 40 K is a freebie. I hope that comes true. :trout: I decided to go the stipend route because I am concerned about the flood of the local market in the next 3 years and wanted something a little bit more secure when I finish school. Just be sure to read through the contracts well and even take it to a lawyer if you need it explained to you better.

Be sure that the schools to which you apply do not have certain rules that apply to getting rec letters. Some say it has to be sealed and signed on institutional letterhead and envelope with the letter writer's signature across the back of the envelope. Just one weird example I've come across. I made packets for everyone with a coversheet detailing instructions for the persons writing my letters. Include any submission deadlines, information about yourself that might be needed or requested, and if having more than one letter sent by an individual then bundle each school with a separate paperclip to help keep them straight. I had five schools with 3 letters each, so it could have easily gotten confused.

THAT IS ALL I'M SAYING !!!

I don't think he was attempting to rag on me. I just found it amusing that he felt he could not function without all the invasive technologies available with critically ill patients. According to his background. I think he was actually younger than me anyhow.

Hey rayman that is a really cool way to slide on into school for August. If that is what I understand your plans are. I'd suck up as much useless info I could form those guys. Hope you have someone who is a good teacher to follow around. Personally, I am ready to take it easy for the next few months with the wife and kids. Maybe a little OT, but nothing specific. I do volunteer to go up and start IV's on the floors when needed (just about every night). It has been good experience. Otherwise, bring on August 18th.

Swans are not used that much any more. Yes Cvt Surgery but it is been proven that many other uses for swans do not actually improve Mortalities in patients that they are placed in. I personally have cared for about 5 in 8 years of MICU experience. I'll start at TCU in August. I interviewed at several schools. The admissions committees will ask you, so just be honest that you have limited experiences with them. Most won't hold it against you. The oddest response was from a student assisting with interviews at one school, whose exp was CVICU/Transplant. He was shocked that we did not do more invasive monitoring with swans. He asked me how we knew what was going on with patients that were crashing or critically ill? My answer was we did use ARTs, CVPs, and oh yea! We use patient ASSESSMENT (in front of the program director). They must have liked my answer because I was accepted to their program, however I am not going there for feasability reasons. So take what you have and be confident in yourself. If you are thinking that unlimited Swan experience makes a good CRNA, go find something else to do like becoming a perfusionist (not to knock on there job or anything).

I have to agree as well both programs do seem very solid. I was just interested in what Futrgaspsr meant in the earlier statement. I was not sure as to what was meant.

Whatis that suppose to mean? i've heard great things about both schools. Several co-workers went to TWU. Did not get into TWU last year and did not hit it off with the faculty well, (Had I been accepted I would have jumped at the spot) at TCU I really fet comfortable and at ease with the staff I met and the offer was too good for me to pass up. do you care to elaborate?

Haven't got the letter yet but someone please tell me this is not somebody's idea of a cruel joke.:trout: I'll be up early Saturday to check the mail.

Some ask specific questions that they want answered about yourself. I found it easiest to just answer the questions that were asked in a nice essay form that followed the questions in order. It makes it easier for them to see that you have done what they have asked of you. If you were to give a synopsis of your entire nursing career and in the process answer weveral questions that they have asked of you in a random order they might think that maybe this person can't even follow simple instructions or get bored with all the extra that you have to say. Best of luck to you.

Don't sweat the GRE score. I got an interview and accepted with a 1070 on my GRE. Did the same as others and did not study much for it (taking classes for BSN at the same time), and probably could have done better. Your experience and an excellent essay should get you an interview with them, at least. And take CCRN, they DO require it to even grant you an interview, or so I was told when I called and asked questions about the program. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!

I was recently PM'd about DFW ICU's and the recent shortage and that managers are requiring 2-3 year contracts. The managers are also refusing to write rec letters unless you fufill your contract. It seems to suck to the new grads that want to go right into ICU for 1 year and then CRNA school. Managers with high turnover due to CRNA schools have an increased budget related to the constant retraining of new staff for the same positions every year. I kind of can't blame them.

Thats kind of funny. Not knowing any of you but having read a lot of post by ya'll. It is actually a slow night at work here and I have had some time to actually read and respond to some threads for once.

I have to agree with MmacFN on this one. I'm about to start and already am planning for that 28 month money crunch, but this is what I really want to do. My wife and family supports my decision and we are in it for the long haul. I'm looking at a group that will help with a portion of my expenses for a committment of x years for x thousands of dollars. The government student loans, my wife's salary (teacher) and a lot of cutting back will hopefully get us through. If not there are private loans as well. It is all about what you want out of your nursing career.

Great points. I was hired 8 years ago straight out of ADN program into MICU at a 600+ bed facility. I have been there since and will be starting CRNA school in August, but I must say that it was only that I felt comfortable with the staff and that the manager set several goals for me to obtain while in orientation for two months on Tele (pass boards, hosp critical care course, preceptorship). I did all of this and moved right in. The people I work with have always been very supportive and there are things to this day that the more experienced nurses still teach me. You never know it all. I also know that CRNA schools are putting a crunch on staff in many areas of the country. Some managers are looking for 2+ year committments and they will hold rec letters over your head to keep you there, because of the high cost of turnover if it is your goal to go to CRNA school. Easily understandable for the high cost of training a new hire.

See ya'll in August!!! Looking for those going to Baton Rouge for clinicals. Let me know.

Definitely something we do all the time around here, probably has a lot to do with the cost and lack of personel to do things like that with anesthesia. But everyone participating should be inseviced on proper techniques and possible outcomes. I know we are. Just my 2 cents worth though.