NiteyNight

I'm currently a 2nd year CRNA student and have been thinking about the options that await me when I graduate. I have come across a book on the internet (aana website) that I'm considering purchasing. Has anyone else bought this book and if so what did you think about it? I would like more information on the options I have as far as workplaces and more information on the W-2 vs 1099 option. I've seen several other threads on here about the 1099 but not much discussion about benefits/drawbacks. The Business of Anesthesia, Practice Options for CRNAs Mary Jeannette Mannino, CRNA, JD 1994 NiteyNight

They actually released new rankings this year. The rankings are about the same as they have always been. Don't read too much into it. Pass rates on boards are usually a pretty good indicator of the strength of the program. NiteyNight

Has anyone read this month's issue of Men's Health? There is a 5 page article in it about anesthesiologists and their addiction to fentanyl. The article makes it sound like it is the MD only that does all the work. Never once does it mention anything about CRNAs--which is good because the article is on addiction to pain meds but bad because it doesn't even acknowledge the existance of CRNAs. The article also goes on to say that a study was performed that found that fentanyl is exhaled from the patient's mouth much like an anesthetic gas would be. They did tests and found it on the equipment and directly above the patients' mouths. They believe this is why anesthesia providers have such a high incidence of abuse--it is because the anesthesia providers sit on a chair with their faces literally right above the patient's face and breathing in the exhaled fentanyl. Very interesting article. NiteyNight

If there weren't any clinical questions is it really possible to bomb an interview? Ethical and general type questions are subjective type questions and so will have varied responses--this is expected. Relax, you probably did better than you think you did. Nervousness is expected by the panel as this is a very competitive field. Good luck! NiteyNight

I need some input from people in similar situations: I received an email from my program the other day with information about my federal stafford loans for tuiition. They informed me that I qualified for unsubsidized loans which means that I am responsible for the interest that accrues while I am in school. If you qualify for subsidized loans then the government will pay the interest on your loan while you are in school. I asked the loan director at the school why I didn't qualify for subsidized loans and she said more than likely it was because of our household income from the previous year. My question is: Is there anyone else who is in a similar financial situation who was approved for subsidized loans? I think it would be interesting to hear what kind of federal stafford loans everyone has been approved for. FYI: I am married, own a house, no kids, and our combined salaries this past year was in the 70-90,000 range.

Your answer should be whatever your gut feeling is. There are no right or wrong answers to this question. Tell them what the driving force behind you wanting to be a slave to their program for the next 2 1/2 yrs is. The interviewers have been doing this a long time. If you give them a bogus answer they will see right through you. Just tell them what you feel. Good luck!