CRNABH2b

Thank you. That really did help.

Hi all! Was wondering if any of you out there could give me some pointers. I had heard from other people that the 3rd semester of the clinical portion of my program is quite challenging. I find that most days are great while 30% of my days are average. I have also been noticing that they are expecting a lot more from me. With most I do well but some are extremely demanding. I was wondering if any of you had any pointers out there. There is still a lot out there that I have not experienced and need to learn but I feel like they expect us to be self sufficient. Any advice out there would greatly be appreciated.

If I may ask, how long did you guys study before taking the exam?

Are there any CRNA's at UCLA or Cedar's Sinai and which facilities offer tuition reimbursement?

what about tuition reimbursement, any of you know of facilities that offer this, Im looking for about $30,000.

So, just to give you a heads up on your original question. I am currently enrolled in a CRNA program. I new I wanted to be one out of highschool. I myself was an honor student in highschool but went through some personal hard times when I started college. I had many bad grades on my transcript: F's, D's. I won't get into specifics but I realized that I needed to focus on my future. I graduated from nursing school with a BSN GPA of 3.27. I had 90% A's in my last five semesters. The committee obviously saw these grades. I applied to 3 program's. In only 1 interview did they ask about those grades and I was very honest in what had happened and that I was dedicated to becoming a true asset to the profession. I got in to 2 of the three programs and am the president of the class. Don't let a 3.3 GPA deter your goals. You sound like a hard worker. Try to focus more on your studies because getting in keeps getting harder and harder as time goes on. I had the privilege of being on the interview committee this year. I would also advise getting a really good score on the GRE. My score was very high. Also, the interview is key. They really do look at what kind of impression you will leave. Good Luck!

I am a minority and I do know several minority CRNA's though I am in south FL where minorities are the majority. From Phillipino, to hispanic, to African American, we respresent in great numbers. In the program I am in, white is the minority, actually, even 2 of my professors are hispanic. So yes, we are out there.

There are books that come in pocket pc format like the massachusetts general book of surgical procedures. These can be downloaded and used as a reference. The book anesthesia secrets is also good. I am also in a long distance relationship and admire your support for her. Good luck!

Well, just in case you really want to know something interesting about barry, they tend to make their exams really hard and weed out students. they take lots of students and know that about 10% will not finish. I have met many people who were kicked out due to not passing the chemistry and biochemistry.

Not every schools have these classes as a requirement. Call the schools in your area and find our for sure. None of the schools in my area require organic or biochemistry.

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions and now I will answer yours. I understand how you must feel and completely agree with RN LOU that being fulfilled and satisfied with what you do is of the utmost importance. Getting into a program is competitive and varies depending on the applicant pool. The best advice I can give you is to apply to at least 3 schools if that is feasible for you. Just to give you some indication, I was accepted into my program with a 3.23 gpa overall (4years), 3.5 science gpa, and a 1260 GRE. I have 4 years general medical surgical ICU experience and three of it through a staffing agency. So, as you can see, it can be done, even if the gpa is not so stellar, and your experience does not come from a major medical trauma center, teaching hospital, or CVICU. My point is don't give up. As for the hours, CRNA's are allowed a lot of leeway. here in my town I know several who do only per diem work and get payed hourly ($115). The group covers the malpractice. One can also be on staff and work part time, or 3 days a week 12 hours, or 4 days a week 10 hours or 5 days a week 8 hours. Some facilities do not require call while others do. One of the major reasons I chose this profession was due to the flexibility in scheduling. When I decide to have children, I will only work part time, and I do not plan on taking call or working holidays. As for the profession itself it is a very challenging one, also a major reason I chose it. The amount of knowledge and skill required to do it excites me. I love to critically think and every case can bring new learning expriences. I hope this helps and wish you luck!

Thanks for the replies. I am in a partially front loaded program. I do clinicals one day a week and oficially we should only be observing though it is encouraged to do as much as possible. We are given the assignment the night before and I do try to read on 1 or 2 of the cases as this what we have been told is expected of us. I am now beginning to realize that it will take some time to become proficient and that I shouldn't beat myself up. It's like when I started nursing, it took a while to get myself organized, efficient and proficient but it is COMPLETELY DOABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Question for SRNA's out there. How long did it take until you guys felt somewhat proficient at setting up your patient, establishing an airway, and managing the case with some assistance. I am in my first semester of anesthesia school, have done a few cases but feel like a lot depends on who I am working with. With certain people I do fine but with others, I feel so inept. I haven't been given the opportunity to intubate on my own, just slip in the tube and pull stylet. I know it takes time but I just want to make sure that I am on track.

If I may ask in order to answer your questions well, why are you switching careers, what about your current career are you not happy with??

congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aren't your the lucky one. I just started my program. What I wouldn't give to be in your shoes. Enjoy it, you did it.