richwv

I meant no disrespect.

I've read hundreds of posts on these message boards since I first started considering nursing. I stopped reading them for a while after I graduated nursing school and started working in my Cardiac ICU. Now that I'm looking to extend my education once more, I'm on here again, trying to find enough information to help me decide where I want to take the next step. I am trying to decide between two separate paths that will take me down two different directions. One of those being the path of a CRNA. Over the past few months, I've enjoyed reading posts from current CRNAs describing their jobs and the love of their careers. All of you seem to have the same message: "It's hard, but it's worth it." My favorite that I've heard (being a first year nursing student in a CCU, I could relate): "ICU nursing is 98% terror and 2% boredom. Nurse Anesthesia is 98% boredom and 2% terror." My question is to whoever would like to answer. Could you give me an example of the 2% terror and how you handled it? I hear you all talk about your typical days, what you love about your jobs, how challenging school was, the types of cases, but I've not heard many "terrifying moments." I was hoping you could elaborate a little more. I thank you for your time and your responses. Rich

I'm going to be starting the process of applying for graduate school and I'd love some advice on which way to go. I have been a nurse in a CTU/CCU for a year and I already have a B.S. in Business Administration. Pursuing a MSN is a given. My question is should I go for the MBA or a Master's in Public Admininstration with an emphasis in Healthcare Administration. It seems and I've heard that MBAs are everywhere. I know of several nurses pursuing it. But if it furthers my career than I would definitely consider it. On the other hand, I don't know many with an MPA and I don't know if I should take a hint from that. Would the doors that open to me (if any) be any different with an MPA than a MBA? Any input would be much appreciated cause right now I feel its a toss-up. Thank you for your time.

hypnos, Thank you for taking time to read and answer my question so thoroughly. It's extremely helpful information. Good luck with CRNA school.

I'm currently working in a Cardiac ICU unit and I'm wanting to go back to school. There are two paths I'm considering. The first path is a getting a dual degree in MSN/MBA. I already have a bachelor's in Business Administration so this may work out well. However, I'm not thrilled with being in hospital administration. Seems to be many long hours and taking home a lot of work. What other doors will open besides hospital administration with this degree? Second option is CRNA. I enjoy patient care minus some situations (GI Bleed clean ups etc...) and I enjoy learning new things plus the autonomy that comes with a CRNA. But the idea of the 2-3 years of intense schooling they go through scares the life out of me. I'm just looking for anyone's two cents. Thank you for your time and I appreciate any feedback.

Perhaps I asked a bad question or worded it wrong.

I've been on this board for years. I started asking questions when I started as a fast-track student in a BS-BSN program. That was back in 2007. That program was more difficult than I thought it would be. I finished with a 3.6 GPA but more notably, it beat the dream of becoming a CRNA right out of me. It was probably the fact that I was a full-time student and poor at the age of 26. If I thought undergraduate nursing school was difficult, I couldn't imagine what it would be like in a CRNA program that's designed to take you to the breaking point. I graduated in December 2008, passed the NCLEX the first time in 75 questions and started Jan. 2009 in a Cardiac ICU. Now, as a new grad in an ICU, it has been difficult but a great experience. I'm always learning something new everyday. I'm surrounded by an outstanding network of RNs for support. I have found myself truly enjoying learning pathophysiology, anatomy, pharmacology, and disease processes. Two nights ago, I was talking to a new hire that had worked in the OR for 2 years as a circulating nurse then start in my unit to gain experience to apply for CRNA schools. She knew first hand what all a CRNA does, so I started asking her questions. I knew they had autonomy but didn't realize how much. I didn't realize the skills they used in the OR, i.e. inserting art lines, intubating, and on some occasions floating swan-ganz catheters. My eyebrows perked up. Next thing I know, I find myself in the exact same position I was in prior to nursing school - researching the role of a CRNA. I come to this site a lot for advice and to read questions I have and, more importantly, to gain insight from those that are already in the role. With that said, I know that CRNA school is tough and you have to have incredible work ethic to make it. While doing a fast-track program and working part time, I'd like to think I have that work ethic. I know it's a huge financial sacrifice, if I decide to go on further with this idea, that will be something I and my wife will have to discuss. My question to this board: What other qualities do you think are necessary to become a GOOD CRNA. I've never been the type of person to just "get by." If I do anything, I do it to the best of my ability. I bought a nursing managment book for ICU patients that I keep outside my patient's rooms. On my slow nights, you will see me reading up on how to manage my patients and how to best care for them. (God knows on night shift, it's more the nurse than it is the resident on-call) I've found myself loving a&p more and more. I can't seem to get enough. That seems to be the only way I understand new concepts. I want to go to grad school and I know I have it in me to do so. I'm now debating on CRNA route or MSN/MBA route (my previous degree is a bachelors in business administration.) Seeing what a Nurse manager does on a daily basis makes me want to stay closer to direct patient care. So I'll end by repeating the question. What other qualities do you find it necessary to possess when being a CRNA? Thank you for your time in reading and answering my post. Rich, RN

If so, and you have already taken the NCLEX, do you think they prepared you? I passed every single ATI I took the first time and the comprehensive test said I had a "96% chance of passing the NCLEX." For those of you that did ATI, do you feel that it was accurate? Thanks for your time and your responses.

Fellas...need some advice. The last time I posted here was last summer when I was stressing out to all hell about the start of nursing school. Well one year later, I'm more confident and 3 months away from graduating. This semester begins our leadership rotation which means we shadow and take up a partial workload of a RN at the university hospital. (All work is done under the supervision of an RN) We have to do this for 200 hrs which is easily achievable. My question is...how do you guys cope with working nights when you've never done it before? Do you have any tricks that help? Especially turning right around and going to morning class 2 days later? I did it last night (thursday night) and now (Friday afternoon) I'm in a complete fog. I got about 6 hours of sleep which is low for me. You can probably tell how tired I am by the long-windedness of the post. Any help would be greatly appreciated. :zzzzz I'm looking forward to giving my recap of nursing school post-graduation.

College 3.6 Nursing school 3.3 (With one year to go)

Gentlemen, I have only posted on here a few times. Most of the time, I just enjoy reading these posts. I started a fast track program on May 21st for a 10-week "boot camp" known as the sophomore year. Next week will conclude the boot camp. I have been in clinicals now for 6 weeks. Tomorrow (July18) being the last day for clinicals. I have gotten to do many skills during these first few weeks of clinicals. I have learned much but I will admit I have not learned as much, or even a majority, of the information that has been thrown at me. And I use the word "thrown" as an accurate description. I have done skills correctly that have boosted my self confidence only to have to torn down again the next week. Today was one of those "take you down a peg or two" days. I finally got to do a wet-to-dry dressing on a patient. Something that I have wanted to do for sometime. With the instructor and 2 other students over my back, I got to work..knowing exactly what to do. And then one by one...I started screwing things up. I broke sterile technique at least 4 times, my instructor had a comment every 2 seconds, and by the time I was ready to pack the wound, I was so flustered I couldn't remember anything. I feel like I could have come off the street and done a better job than I did. These past 2 months have been pure hell. And I say pure hell in the sense that the work has been overwhelming not in the sense that I hate this job. And yes, I know i signed up for the fast track but I need to know it'll get better. After today, I felt as if I had learned nothing in the past 2 months. It's just been a discouraging day and I needed to vent. I have 7 days left of this summer. 1 day of clinical, and mon-thur of next week are 3 comprehensive finals, a full physical assessment and a practicum involving trach care, ng insertion, foley insertion, ivpbs, and sq injections are all that's left. P.S. If I find the person that invented a care plan, their diagnosis will be fear r/t oncoming death aeb me hunting them down!

What type of personality does it take to be successful in the ICU environment? I know some nurses love it and others hate it so it's obviously personality traits that make it appealing. Just curious as to why you enjoy the ICU or chose the ICU over other areas of practice. Thanks for your input.

Hello all, It's about time I introduced myself as one of the newest members of this board. I am 24, located in West Virginia, and graduated with honors with a degree in business. 18 months in the business world and I knew it wasn't for me. I have been reading your posts for a while and have gotten many of my questions answered. I absolutely love this board and look forward to sharing my experiences with you all and hearing about others' experiences as well. I am still taking pre-reqs right now and have already applied to an 18-month accelerated program to get my BSN. I have been contacted by the school and have set up an interview for the final step. So I may be jumping the gun a little bit here but I'm anxious to get started. I got into nursing in the same way many of you did - Family issues and personal experiences with nurses. Now I work with nurses and I'm confident I could do what they do and do it well. I'm looking forward to the challenge nursing school brings as well as continuing with my education long thereafter. Sorry this was so long but I just wanted to introduce myself. I've enjoyed your all's posts and I look forward to them in the future. Hope you all have a happy new year. Rich