lgcv

Newman has a cadaver lab. And a simulator, albeit not the expensive does everything kind, but enough to get the job done.

Roland, Find out what the schools you would like to attend require. Then do that, do not overload yourself with classes you may not need. Although, I am sure they will all require an organic chemistry class, I am not so sure about the other classes. If you cannot do the classes while you are obtaining your BSN, then take them after you finish your degree. Rememeber the motto which is popular in both the military and CRNA programs "Keep It Simple Stupid". Relax, and have a good time getting where your going!

Your right, I was confusing it with the degree completion programs. If you go that route are you still required to complete at least 24 months in the program?

re: lacey Well there you have it. The general feeling straight from the horses mouth so to speak. Note the quotation marks around nurses.

The post-masters certificates are for current CRNA's who do not hold a masters degree, so you would have to go through another masters program, there are a few PHd programs but I believe they are also for students who are already CRNA's. That being said, there is such a shortage of nurses now, that it should not be any problem to find a job in an ICU. Just apply. Good luck to you!

It depends on how small the local ICU is. If it is a really small unit, with only limited numbers of patients with swans/vents/ and all the things that go with those, then it will not provide you with the experience you need. If they have a high acuity population on a regular basis then it will be fine. Hope that helps.

On the GI bill, I am using it now and it pays 800 a month, going to 900 a month in October. But, that is active duty GI bill (I was in the army several years ago). The other thing is that nursing school and CRNA programs count as full time even if the credit hours are not full time due to the clinical hours, they call it cooperative education or something like that. I do agree that you should never believe a recruiter, and if you have an inclination to, then get it in writing!!

Admission criteria for all CRNA programs are established by the Council on Accreditation. How they are interprated varies from school to school. They will all require that you have knowledge of vasoactive drugs/inotropes/and invasive monitors, what they will accept as adequate experience in that is what varies. At any rate the following is the accrediting standard for admission to all CRNA programs. C13. The program enrolls only baccalaureate prepared students who meet admission criteria. Admission requirements include: a. Registration as a professional nurse in the United States, its territories or protectorates. b. At least one year of experience as a RN in an acute care setting (see Glossary). Glossary:Acute care experience - Work experience during which a an RN has developed as an independent decision-maker capable of using and interpreting advanced monitoring techniques based on knowledge of physiological and pharmacological principles Here is the website: http://www.aana.com/accreditation/standards/standard_iii.asp

When someone is called off for low census, don't they put them on-call in case of an increasing census? If that is not the case it should be, from then on call them in if you need more help. If the following shift or anyone else gives you grief about it, just say patient safety, that usually shuts them up.

Took care of a patient in ICU once who swore he/she was going to kill me. I know where you work/ I'll find where you live and "I will kill you *****". I have absolutely no doubt this person would have done just that if not for legal/psychiatric intervention. All the things wrong in this persons life, were in their mind my responsibility. The patients in the ER and on the psych floors, go to every other floor in the hospital too. THE LEAST AMOUNT OF INFORMATION POSSIBLE! My last name does not need to be on my name tag to encourage respect. I think the only people who would have a real interest in my last name are the ones with an agenda.

Valencia, if you mean work while you are in school NO!! Maybe every once in a while you could work a weekend, but for the most part you won't have time.

I have four children. and I am in school now. It just takes coordination, and effort on everyones part. Level of sacrifice is a personal thing, what seems like a lot to one person may not seem like much to another. Cllinicals, classes and homework I average around 60 hours a week.

You should apply, you have proven that you can do the course work. It is not ALL about the GPA in that respect. TAKE the GRE!! It is not nearly as bad as you might imagine, and not taking it limits you opportunities. Good Luck.

Great response Kevin!!

Here is the website: http://www.aana.com/crna/prof/scope.asp

This is from the AANA website CRNA scope of practice includes, but is not limited to the following: Performing and documenting a pre-anesthetic assessment and evaluation of the patient, including requesting consultations and diagnostic studies; selecting, obtaining, ordering, and administering pre-anesthetic medications and fluids; and obtaining informed consent for anesthesia. Developing and implementing an anesthetic plan. Initiating the anesthetic technique which may include: general, regional, local, and sedation. Selecting, applying, and inserting appropriate non-invasive and invasive monitoring modalities for continuous evaluation of the patient's physical status. Selecting, obtaining, and administering the anesthetics, adjuvant and accessory drugs, and fluids necessary to manage the anesthetic. Managing a patient's airway and pulmonary status using current practice modalities. Facilitating emergence and recovery from anesthesia by selecting, obtaining, ordering and administering medications, fluids, and ventilatory support. Discharging the patient from a post-anesthesia care area and providing post-anesthesia follow-up evaluation and care. Implementing acute and chronic pain management modalities. Responding to emergency situations by providing air-way management, administration of emergency fluids and drugs, and using basic or advanced cardiac life support techniques. Additional nurse anesthesia responsibilities which are within the expertise of the individual CRNA include: Administration/management: scheduling, material and supply management, supervision of staff, students or ancillary personnel, development of policies and procedures, fiscal management, performance evaluations, preventative maintenance, billing and data manage- nt. Quality assessment: data collection, reporting mechanism, trending, compliance, committee meetings, departmental review, problem focused studies, problem solving, interventions, documents and process over- sight. Educational: clinical and didactic teaching, BCLS/ ACLS instruction, inservice commitment, EMT training, supervision of residents, and facility continuing education. Research: conducting and participating in departmental, hospital-wide, and university-sponsored research projects. Committee appointments: assignment to committees, committee responsibilities, and co-ordination of committee activities. Interdepartmental liaison: interface with other departments such as nursing, surgery, obstetrics, post-anesthesia care units (PACU), outpatient surgery, admissions, administration, laboratory, pharmacy, etc. Clinical/administrative oversight of other departments: respiratory therapy, PACU, operating room, surgical intensive care unit (SICU), pain clinics, etc. The functions listed above are a summary of CRNA clinical practice and are not intended to be all-inclusive. A more specific list of CRNA functions and practice parameters is detailed in the AANA Guidelines for Clinical Privileges.

It could be a problem, sometimes after the patient has been surrounded with equipment you have a very small space to work in. Anyway, I think that if you are moderately obese it would not be perceived as a problem by a selection committee. If you are morbidly obese they would have concerns about your ability to perform in the tight spaces we sometimes work in. This is my opinion, and I could be wrong, just trying to give you the best answer I can with my limited experience.

My suggestion would be if you can get by without signing a contract then don't. If you need the money to get through school then do it. The people that have signed contracts in my program have left the pay open, so that when they are done they will be paid the going rate. This is important as salaries are going up quickly. When I first started looking at salaries they were in the 80-90 thousand dollar range (avg) now they average 100 - 110 thousand. Just do your research and make the best decision for your personal situation.

I was quite fond of the christmas token to employees one year... A christmas bulb with the hospital logo on it.

Kevin, I have a va disability as well. I don't go to VA for treatment/sugery. I am responsible for the bill, but I know the care I receive is adequate. I would suggest you do the same, there is know reason to have anything done there if you can afford to go elsewhere.

We routinely used Ativan and Insulin drips in the ICU I used to work in. We only used alcohol drips (+alcohol dialysis) on patients who had injested antifreeze. Insulin drips were sometimes used on the floors, but they usually moved them to the unit due to the time intensity involved with q 1 hour blood sugars. My opinion is that if you put someone on the floor with an Ativan or alcohol drip you would be asking for trouble. I know that continous pulse oximetry etc.. are required for sedative drips an impossible feat on a stepdown floor. Just look at the monitoring requirements in a drug book then ask them to explain how you are supposed to do it.

Is the salary you quoted true in Wichita as well? What did you think of the program at Newman University? When in your educational process did you start seriously looking for employment, or did you know where you were going to work from the beginning? What do you consider to be the most important things to look for in a job? I think that is every question I have, thank you for taking the time on to answer questions on this board.

It will be very hard to get a job in an ICU with a 10 pound weight restriction. If you are not already a nurse, you may not be able to get into nursing school with that restriction as the job requires heavy lifting.