Pedsccrn

Neurogeek, Sent you a PM.:icon_hug:

My husband and I have been working on our financial plan for about two years now, about the time I started to work hard on preparing my application. Although, I can't say that we payed for CRNA school in cash. I can say that due to the preparation, we had minimal loans to take out. I did the ultimate no-no according to most, by taking out my entire 401k. Now let me defend myself by saying that it had lost over 8% in the last 18 mos and since I wouldn't be working for two years.....there would be no growth either from me or my employer, so financially it was a good move for me. Just my:twocents:. We purchased Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University two years ago and when I start school (in 3 days) we will be completely debt free with exception of school loans. It is a great feeling and when you have only a mortgage/rent payment and utilities to worry about, you can really sock away the money fast. Now, to each their own......but it sure worked well for us! Good luck.

Speaking from a patient's perspective....it is awesome! My spinal headache was truly the most painful and incapacitating event of my life and I've had 3 children!!! Thank the Lord someone figured out how to relieve such pain. Kudos to those who fix it!

Thanks for the post about the IPAQ 111. After shopping around, I decided that it really was the best device for information retrieval and haven't quit playing with it since. It was fairly expensive, but I bought it while it was on sale. I had the edge on my blackberry and it is pretty slow, but the wifi on the IPAQ 111 is much more functional.

Casesrna, I am interested in knowing more about your IPAQ 111, what is it, where did you get it, and more importantly how much? I have been looking for a really great PDA that I won't have to "upgrade" during the next two years of school. Thanks in advance for the info.

Congrats CCUROB!!!!! I know how you feel, I told my unit I'd bake them something at christmas, but otherwise "adios". Enjoy your next few weeks and see you Aug 21st.

Hey cohorts......anyone up for a pre-orientation get-together? I would really like to know a few faces before orientation, anybody else? Send me a PM if you're interested. If not, we'll see you August 21st. Pedsccrn*wine

yes, schools do prefer that you have adult icu experience. that being said, however, pediatric experience can be a real asset to your application. if you are really interested in pediatrics, try to find a childrens hospital that sees it all, especially post-op hearts and ecmo program. then, try to work some prn in adult icu or cvicu. peds experience won't keep you out of a crna program, and having a well-rounded application will be a plus for you. hope this info helps. good luck in the future. pedsccrn

Vich, Thanks for the info, you give me hope that there will be life after all !!!!

I guess that my opinion is vastly different from the majority that has posted here, but I feel obligated to share my experience. I was asked about family and even produced a picture (my good luck charm that I carry always) during my interview. I didn't feel at all that this was unfair.... but a way for them to feel out how well you balance everyday stresses of work, school and home. I was a single mother of three, with my youngest 4 mos old when I started nursing school. I worked full time through nursing school. I really believe that my tenacity showed through because of this during my interview.....and I would like to believe it is a large part of why I was accepted. I'm sure there were many with higher GPA's, and GRE scores, but there's no denying how real you are when your talking about your family. Just my . Good luck to all no matter how you choose to reply about family questions.

:yeahthat:

Just a thought....... If your hospital has a PICU and you would be willing to work some prn hours there, they may be willing to pay for your PALS class. Although PICU is totally different from adult ICU, it's really a great experience....... and keep in mind that a variety of experience could really help your application stand out from others during the interview process. I don't know if this helped me get into CRNA school this year or not, but I have to believe that having both pedi and adult critical care experience was a contributing factor. If you're not interested in PICU though, a PALS class is well worth the money, even if you have to pay for it on your own. Ask your hospitals education department how to get into a class there or in a nearby childrens hospital. Good luck.

I did take the MDA up on his offer and shadow him for a day. It was a pretty light schedule, but a great learning experience. Glad to hear that you are feeling better, neurogeek. Armynse, best wishes for your busy months ahead. 10 weeks and counting!!!!

Neurogeek, I'm glad that you had a really positive interaction with the MDA..... I recently had a lap chole and experienced the same thing, in fact was invited to shadow the same MDA after my surgery. I agree with FLAreN in that some are great, and some are not so great. I hope that you feel better very soon!

Neurogeek, Many months ago, I was in the same dilemma about PDA vs. Blackberry. I went with the Blackberry and was assured that I could easily use it's PDA functions, but I have found that many of the programs I really want are not compatible to be downloaded onto my BB. So..... my advice would be to go with a good PDA. I will probably look at buying a Treo next year before starting clinicals. Wish this discussion would have taken place back at christmas, would have saved me some money!!!! Hope this helps.