vikingirl

Now that I'm a few weeks into the program I have a better idea of what works for me. Everyone is different. Access to a computer to print out class slide notes (or use the library computers - we get 500 free printed sheets a semester which is nice) 0.5 pens blue, black, & red pens to underline and mark up your preprinted notes during class (I love my 0.5 Sarsa Zebra pens) Listen more, write less. A sturdy bag to carry all of your stuff around Portable snacks and a water bottle to keep your attention span going throughout the 3 hour stretch classes and 10 hour days. A basic calculator to work out equations in class Clips to keep your notes for the day together. (It would be too heavy to bring and carry all of your three ring binders around all day. I just bring what I need for the day and keep the rest organized at home in my binders.) Scope out used books for class since some required books are really only used for reference only. (I'd spent too much money on books that I may never open.) I hope that helps. Good luck!

Thanks to all that have taken the time to reply! It's been very helpful. Sometimes it's the simle items that get overlooked but help immenseley in the long run. Cheers!

It's important to have questions to ask them during the interview. It shows commitment and an interest in finding a program that is a good fit for both parties. -How does your program faciliatate student research? -Does the schools library carry current literature or anesthesia journals? Which ones? -Do we share time with residents during clinical placements? -Do you currently have any students on the Coucil for Public Interest in Anesthesia (CPIA)? -If I'm accepted, what can I do between now and the begining of the program to adequately prepare myself? Good luck!

I just wanted to say congratulations! How exciting. I've only heard good things about the Rush NA program. I used to work at Rush. Way to go!

It goes without saying, have a strong application and goal statement to get the interview. Be prepared to answer questions from your goal statement during the interview. Become CCRN certified. Shadow a CRNA and be prepared to discuss the experience. Be confident, comfortable, but not cocky during the interview. (If you can't handle the stress of the interview , how can you handle the stress of the OR?) Be prepared to ask questions at the end of the interview when they ask. I'd send your application in earlier than Sept since it can take some time for your references to get there -- it takes a good 13 days for your info to post as "arrived" after you mail it there based on their system of scanning into a database --- and if you don't have a complete application, your not going to get an interview. I hope that helps and good luck!

Congrats to all! I wonder if we'll get a chance to meet before classes start. kachoo414, did your co-worker get in as well? Anyone moving in from out of town?

Hi, Any past or present SRNA's out there willing to share their best "must have's", "fav's", and "can't live without's" for didactic and clinical? Examples: Best digital recorder? Clipboards? Pen's? Shoes? Programs? References? Video's? Chocolate? Or anything else you may have that has helped with class or clinical. Thanks in advance!

Congratulations! My interview was on 9/19. A coworker of mine got in as well. It would be funny if most of our class were lurking on this board. Now to figure out how to apply for loans.

Hi Gluck, I called Boston College and they told me that they were "looking for greater than 500 on each, and obiously the higher the better." 1320 is well above that. Good luck with your applications!

Congratulations! Wooo-hooo. I'm saying "yes" today too. I can't wait! I wonder who else will be in our class. Has anyone else heard?

My acceptance letter from Boston College came today! Woo - hoo! I can't wait! Classes start January 2009. Did anyone else hear?

When is your interview at BC? I interviewed there on 9/19. They had curent students available while interviews were being conducted -- which was extremely informative. Good luck with your interviews!

baby831, In regards to the interview at BC - it was relaxed get to know you type of questions -- why bc, why crna. Be yourself. Group of about 12 applicants, starting with a presentation from the Director about the classes, clinicals and faculty. An opportunity to speak to current students while we waited our turn to interview separately with the Director and Assistant Director - 15 minutes each. The current students all stated it was a very rigorous program but they were glad that they chose BC. A close group that was genuinely interested in succeeding. Competitive with themselves but not overly competitive with each other. I would suggest to get your CCRN if you don't already have it and have strong ICU experience. I hope that helps. Good luck!

In regards to the clip board notes .... anesthesia-ed on ebay has laminated reference cards with formulas and references for SRNA and CRNA's, called an anesthesia bundle, that can fit on your clip board. I like Sota Omoigui's Anesthesia Drugs Handbook as a drug guide on my iPAQ (I am addicted to my iPAQ - huge screen, it's so useful - love it!) Good luck!

My interview at BC went very well! I'm so excited! "Get to know you" type behavioral questions. Why BC? Why CRNA route? etc. Very friendly Director and Asst. Director - it appears to be a very personable program where they want you to succeed -- cut throat diadiatic program, excellent clinical sites. They had current students there to answer questions about the program out of ear shot of interviewers - which was informative. Acceptance letters will go out end Oct, begining Nov; classes start Jan. Good luck to everyone interviewing and awaiting acceptance at their prospective schools -- fingers crossed! Anyone else interviewing at BC?

I have my interview at Boston College on Sept 19th -- I can't wait!

Remember, the first step in obtaining PA pressure readings is to visually assess the monitoring system. You should first look for: adequate fluid in the flush bag 300 mm HG pressure in the pressure bag pressence of bubbles, kinks or blood in tubing PA tracing of good quality and perform a square wave test (flush for one second with in-line flushing device and observe the waveform. Observe 1-2 oscillations within .12 seconds and a quick return to baseline. This is done to assess the quality of the monitoring system)Then you can level the system to the phlebostatic axis, zero and evaluate your readings. The two factors that determine the PAS, PAD and mean pressures are the pulmonary blood volume and pulmonary vascular resistance. Read your numbers at end expiration. The PAD is aligned with the end of the QRS complex. I hope that helps!

Good luck!

Interview at BC in two weeks! I can't wait. They said the interview would be about 5 hours long. Is that typical? I'm assuming that would include their explanation of the program and a tour. It must be a group interview. I'm so excited! I hope everyone elses interviews are going well.

The commute or family hardships will only last about 27 months. You don't have to make a solid decision at this point. Throw yourself out there, apply, and see what happens -- see where you land! Of course follow your dream. You'll kick yourself if you don't try. Apply to the programs that you have listed, see where you get in and then figure out the how your family can make ends meet. You'll need lots of family support since you'll be engrossed in CRNA school for 2 years, however, if it's truly your dream to be a nurse anesthetist and your family supports you, you can make it happen. You have to want it bad enough. If CRNA is not your passion, the NP route can be a satifying profession as well -- only you know. Shadow someone from both and follow your heart - you'll make the right decision. Good luck!

Has anyone seen the US News and World Report, America's Best Graduate School rankings for Nurse Anesthesia - 2009? Is the list out yet? Thanks in advance.

Congrats to all those who have landed interviews, and to those who have applied and anxiously await the good news! Has anyone here had their interview yet? If so, how did it go? We are all pulling for you! (Coast to coast group hug.) I have to wait until Sept/Oct and it's making me crazy. I'd love to hear what others are doing. During my PALS class last week, I'd met an SRNA getting ready for clinical this Fall. I was so envious! I know school is going to be challenging, however, this wait is absolutely killing me ... Is it just me? Or have the days gone by much slower since your applications have been turned in?

Premature ventricular contractions are the most common arrhythmia associated with PAC insertions, usually while the PAC is passing through the right ventricle. Sometimes the arrhythmia appears as short bursts of VT. Right bundle branch block and the progression of left bundle branch block into complete heart block are also potential complications.

Cardiovascular and Respiratory questions predominate the CCRN test. I've recently taken the CCRN test and this is what was on my test ... For Cardiac know your swan readings - left sided vs. right sided failure. AMI, unstable angina, arrythmias, chf, hypertensive crisis cardiogenic shock vs hypovolemic shock, cardiomyopathies, & cardiac trauma. systolic vs diastolic murmurs. IABP needs to inlaflate during diastole. pacemaker codes. Respiratory: reading and interpreting ABG's (I had at least 5 questions on ABG's) Endocrine: DI, SIADH, DKA, HHNK, hypoglycemia Hematology: organ transplantation, immunosuppression, DIC, coagulopathies Neuro: head trauma, acute spinal injury, cerebral embolic events, seizure disorders, aneurysm and brain tumors, encephalopathy, cerebral embolic events, intra ventricular/intracranial hemorrhage GI: hepatic failure/coma, acute pancreatitis, bowel infarction/obstruction/perforation, acute gi hemorrhage, acute abdominal trauma Renal: acute renal failure, electrolyte imbalances, renal trauma and some questions on common sense bedside manners I studied and passed by reviewing the AACN website where it listed percentages of topics on the test -- googled stuff I wanted to review plus, I had free access to CEU's from the AACN website - so earned CEU's while I studied. Good luck with your studies and don't read into the questions too much!

That's GREAT news! Good luck with your interview and keep us posted. How exciting!