JimandAmi

I have 620 with 5 months to go

We have several people in our class who have children (I have one who was 18 months when we started) and we are all doing fine...and yes, there are several who have more than 2. Is it easy? No, but it can be done. You need a supportive family and a lot of discipline, but it is definitely possible!! As long as you and your spouse are prepared for a lot of time and hard work, I say go for it!

I am a senior and have about 5 months to go. I have 55 epidurals, about 25 spinals, and somewhere around 15-20 peripheral nerve blocks (popliteal, femoral, sciatic, axillary and ankle, but no interscalene). I would guess that the numbers of my classmates are fairly similar. The acute pain service does most peripheral blocks at our home institution but we get opportunities when on rotation.

Having an LMA in place is absolutely NOT the same as being intubated. As you said, because the LMA sits above the cords, the airway is technically not protected (the patient can still spasm or aspirate). In the operating room, the LMA is used in place of a mask anesthetic, pretty much just to free up the provider's hands and allow you to take care of other things. In addition, an LMA can be used as a rescue airway device for a difficult intubation. It can be used to ventilate a patient who cannot be ventilated by a mask/ambu and also to place an ETT through (LMA fastrach, etc..). Many providers are using an LMA as a replacement for an ETT and while I would not want to criticize or question anyone else's practice, it is not intended to be used in this manner (at least not yet). Case in point, is the current case in Texas in which an LMA was used on an obese patient with CAD who aspirated and died. Having said that, I do know that in Europe, they use LMAs a LOT more liberally than we do here (lap choly's, c-sections, with a ventilator). Hope that helps!

There is one student in our class that had only PICU experience and she was accepted and is doing fine!

There are no other flex days or sick days to use throughout the program. Your first quarter, you get two weeks off in December. Then, you receive one week off in June, one week in December of your second year, and one week in June of your final year. So, you get a total of four weeks off for the 27 months. Any days missed in the OR above that have to be made up at the end of the program . Most instructors will also take off at least 1% point from your grade if you miss a didactic class (at least in anesthesia classes, not so much with college of nursing classes). Now, having said that, your first and second quarter you do have a few four day weekends because you are not in the OR full-time until April or May. However, I think it would be hard to plan a wedding in advance because you won't know your clinical schedule that far ahead. If I had to give you advice on when the best time would be, I would say during the two week break after your first quarter or the one week off in June of either year. I know that probably isn't much help to you, but it's just the way things are! The program is time consuming and very difficult, but definitely worth it. Let me know if you have any other questions. Ami

As far as I know, it is in Phase 3 clinical trials right now with about 10 trials being conducted. They are hoping it will be available next summer or later.

I do have a couple classmates who live in Hyde Park and really like it. As far as Kentucky, there is one thing to think about that my husband and I didn't realize. If you are married and your spouse has a full-time job in Ohio as of the first day of classes, you will qualify for in-state tuition from day one, but only if you live in Ohio. If you don't have a spouse that is going to work in Ohio, you will have to wait a year to qualify for in-state tuition. If you move to Kentucky, you will receive a rate that is slightly more than in-state (like $100 more/quarter), but not until you have lived there for a year (even if your spouse works in Ohio). I hope this makes a little since, because I know it's confusing. Let me know if you have questions.

I live in Florence, Kentucky with my husband and son (almost 3 years old) and we really like it. Houses and apartments are a little cheaper than in Cincinnati and it is very kid/family friendly. However, it is about 25 minutes to the hospital and campus so if you want to live closer, it's probably not the place for you. The area right around the hospital is not the best neighborhood, but several of my classmates do live in apartments down there (not with spouses though). I have a good friend in the program who is originally from Cincy (I moved from Indianapolis) and I will ask her about good neighborhoods and get back to you. As far as the job market, I'm not really sure. My husband didn't have trouble finding a job, but he is in health care. If you let me know a specific field, I will see what I can find out. Hope this helps....let me know if you have other questions.

Hey guys! I just wanted to welcome you to the program. I am a second year student (I guess I'm a senior as of now, since the upper class just graduated!). Congrats on your acceptance and please let me know if you have any questions, ok? If will be a very difficult road, but well worth it in the end. :balloons: Congrats!!!