TJ8A

bumping this thread

Smiley, Convenience was a contributing fatcor for myself as well. Another factor was the quality of the program and the reputation of the excellent CRNA's it produces. However, if the same levels of convenience and reputation were in place for me to attend an MS program, I think I would have chosen the MS over the MSN. PFH, Thanks for mentioning the presumed move to a DNP requirement for CRNA's. The topic raises a few concerns with me. Getting an MSN now may not necessarily make it easier to complete a DNP down the road. As you mentioned, I'm assuming that 'grandfathering' will occur. So, that will mean the DNP will not be required for me. I may choose to complete it anyway. However, what if 'term limits' are imposed on some of those MSN classes you are taking now? Are you going to take them over again? I don't think I will. Are you going to take the GRE again if they require it? I'm not. These are the types of things I had to do or redo to get into anesthesia school. I had to take quite a few classes over again from my BSN program because they were 'too old.' It was a pain. However, I did it with the sole purpose of getting into anesthesia school. If they pull this on me for a DNP, I'll tell them to take a long walk off a short bridge. Would you still jump through the hoops to get a degree you won't need to practice? I won't, esp. if it means taking the MSN core courses AGAIN.

Here's a tip: (confirmed by others in this thread too) Don't use EDUCATED BORROWER!! I originally applied for my loan in late July as I wanted to use my current income as an RN to qualify for more $$. Well, I finally had to close my application with them in October!!! :angryfire I never got a dime from them. I have excellent credit, no car payment, and no credit card debt. I know that was not the problem. They gave the run-around at every turn. They always an excuse for delays. Frequently, they tried to direct their problems back on me...you never faxed us this or that (which I did multiple times), the copy of your license/pay stubs/signature is not clear...we need a utility bill now for proof of address...etc. This went on for months!! I counted up how many separate faxes I sent them...22! Finally, I closed my app with them. Take it from me and the others who have tried to use Educated Borrower, they are not worth your time. Look elsewhere for money. p.s. Wells Fargo time of app to time of check received = 11 days

Looking for a little feedback here...For all of you who chose an MSN program vs MS degree program, are you happy with your decision? Why or why not? I'm currently in my first semester of an MSN anesthesia program. I find the nursing core courses (Theory, Professional Issues, etc.) are a total distraction. I think I'd rather take twenty anesthesia courses than one nursing theory course. Anyone else feel this way?

www.aana.com www.nurse-anesthesia.org

I'm looking forward to graduating anesthesia school in two years. I'd be an idiot to think the socialized medical plan being touted by Clinton would benefit my practice at all. In fact, I wouldn't be going to anesthesia school in the first place. It's just too much of a sacrafice (anesthesia school) for me to not be compensated appropriately when I graduate. Before anyone asks...I'm not doing it just for the money. I enjoy delivering anesthesia. However, a major incentive for me to finish is the money.

I used mine everyday as a critical care nurse and even when I worked in the ER. I think I had the medium sized one, if that's an option. The tape loops are nice. Some people called it my "fanny pack" and we all had a good laugh about it from time-to-time.

I'm a student and I've seen one. Mass Gen has a quaint overview for anesthesia's role. You'll have to dig for it though. We focused on hemodynamic stability, oxygenation, and fluid balance. I specifically remember that we had to keep reminding the procurement surgeon (for the heart/lungs) to stay off the vena cava because it was tanking the pt's pressure. We provided support even after the aortic cross-clamp to procure the lungs. Once the lungs were removed, we were done. We shut off the machine and left the room while they continued to harvest other organs (i.e. kidneys, bone, etc.) Kinda weird.

Here's the link to a funny, yet dead-on article about nursing theory. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2843/is_5_24/ai_67691837 It provided great comic relief as I completed a bogus paper in nurse anesthesia school about nursing theory. I feel like graduate nurses have to "sell-out" or get kicked out when it comes to embracing nursing theory. There's no room for descension. Nursing Theory has many problems. Without getting into specific problems, suffice it to say that I don't and won't use nursing theory to deliver anesthesia. If you ever hear me say, "Orem's wholly compensatory nursing system is now in place" as I perform an induction, take away my license and send me to purgatory. Don't send me to academia, that would only exacerbate my disorder and I could infect others.

To answer your question: Yes, I know what institutionalized discrimination is. As it pertains to African Americans, I've read several books by McWhorter, et al. dealing with this subject specifically. My opinion is that your claim of institutionalized racism in all CRNA programs in Michigan is hollow; based on your evidence. I understand you're upset about not being accepted into school. However, I caution you from making disparaging remarks against a well-respected, highly educated African American CRNA program direcotor as a means of "venting". I do not know Ms. Worth CRNA, PhD (not Worthless as you call her) personally. However, I have attended minority confereneces in which she has spoken. She is a CHAMPION of minority nursing progressionism. The only reason I ever got involved in this whole discussion is because it disappoints me when people toss baseless, derogatory statements out there for all pre-CRNA students to read and form opinions about certain programs without all the facts. I did not apply to nor do I attend WSU and have no connection to that program whatsoever. Also, I have no application/admission statistics from their program available to me. However, I did do a little more research as Realist suggested. Here's what I found: Wayne State University CRNA class of 2007: 2 African Americans out of 16 students. (12.5%). http://wizard.pharm.wayne.edu/anesth/alumni.htm African American Nurses (RN's and LPN's) nationally: (4.68%) based on 2000 census data African American Nurses (RN's) in Michigan (active): (6%) based on voluntary Survey of Nurses 2005. http://www.michigancenterfornursing.org/mimages/nursesurvey2005.pdf African American Critical Care Nursing Membership nationwide: (4%) based on May 2007 voluntary survey. http://www.aacn.org/AACN/Memship.nsf/Files/MembDemographics/$file/MembDemographics.pdf African American CRNA's nationally: (2.1%) According the AANA http://www.minoritynurse.com/features/nurse_emp/08-18-03.html So, there you have it. I'd say Ms. Worth is doing well in recruiting minority nurses into her program given the numbers. Also remember that Michigan passed Proposal 2 (similar to California's Prop 209) in 2006 and race can no longer be considered a factor in the admissions process. TJ8A

I was commenting on the "proof" in your statement about if 'one person experienced it, that's proof it exists'. That's not the proof Zozzy was talking about. That was an opinion. He was asking for solid evidence from the poster that bashed all aneshtesia schools in Michigan by saying they are all discriminatory against African Americans because she was denied entry into their programs. I'd say she was painting with a wide brush; rather discriminatory statements of her own. Furthermore, your statements (and a few others) about my views and my own personal experiences with racism and discrimination are inflammatory and pure conjecture. Have a good day.

Congradulations!! :yelclap: You scored very well. Nice to see the fruits of your labor pay off sometimes, isn't it? I think with the 4.0's in graduate level courses and a CCRN you'll be MUCH more competitive...as long as you're also meeting the minimum requirements for your science grades. Hopefully, your worst grades were not in those types of classes (i.e. bio, chem, patho, micro, A & P, etc.) Good luck in the pursuit of your goals. TJ

bigfoot and nessie are validated then too.

I tend to believe it is not true that African Americans are discriminated against in Michigan CRNA programs. Take a look at the faculty. One program (Wayne State) has an African American Program Director and two others have African American Assistant Program Directors. I'm sure Ms. Worth, (director at WSU) would argue tooth and nail with anyone that her program does not discriminate against African Americans. As always, take what you read on this board with a grain of salt.

RNFPC, I think a manager that would not write a good recommendation for an applicant because he/she did not work for x number of years on a particular unit shows poor professional ethics and lack of commitment on the part of the manager. Unless some sort of contract was signed, stating a term of service fulfillment, it should not matter. I could understand the angst if the nurse were going to a rival institution to work. But if they are leaving to pursue an education, I am all for it.