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.

I'll be staying in the DFW area for clinicals. It's getting very real now, especially after borrowing an ...load of money! Anybody else? LOL Can't wait to meet everyone. By the way....have a great summer! :onbch:

You'll be hard pressed to find any graduate school that does not require some sort of standardized test, such as the GRE. Some schools do accept the MAT (Miller Analogies Test) in lieu of the GRE, but most will require you to have GRE scores. If your dreading the GRE study, you're not going to like the MAT study either. Trust me..... I took the GRE three times trying to improve scores. It is well known that the GRE is not a reliable predictor of how well a student will do in graduate school. It is simply one of many tools used to rank students in a highly competitive interview process. Just remember, GRE scores don't determine your acceptance into a CRNA program, it is only one part of the package you have to present. My thought on the GRE, is that it proves to the admissions committee that (1) you are willing to study independently and (2) that you can "check the boxes" in order to be competitive....much the same as the CCRN. Although, I felt the CCRN was at least relevant material I know that this did not answer your original question of where GRE scores don't matter, but I have been seeing a lot more posts on the subject lately and just wanted to share my thoughts. Good luck.....

jsteele99, We looked at the Keller area and loved it, however, because of my husband's job....we had to be on the South side. We are moving next week to Mansfield. I did a lot of research on the schools, since I also have 3 in school, and was very pleased with what I found. We found a really nice lease house because we didn't want to struggle with selling another house in an iffy market. Mansfield also has a beautiful new (12/06) hospital that I will be working a 90 day contract at that is only 5 miles from my house. The drive to TCU is approximately 20 miles and takes about 25 minutes on the average. Just a thought, if you are still looking. Good luck...... we'll see you in the fall. :nuke:

Forgive me if I'm speaking out of turn, as my formal CRNA education won't begin until Fall, however, I don't believe that this well publicized story has anything at all to do with race, or the fact that she was a pretty girl. I believe that the reasons for the grand media attention are: 1) Malignant Hyperthermia is not a subject that is known to the general public, therefore, the tragic death of a young girl from a myopathy that no one has ever heard of IS a big story. 2) Although, I don't believe that race is a factor, I do believe that her age is. The trend is ever increasing for adolescents who are having cosmetic surgery, whether it be breast augmentation, nose jobs, or pinning of those "ears that make me look like a freak!" 3) After all the media attention that was given to the Nevada Surgical Center incident, the public is wary and the media is going to exploit any incidents that involve less than acceptable medical practices. (i.e. one vial of Dantrolene!) Although, I am greatly saddened for her family and friends, her tragic event may very well deter a few young people from electing to have cosmetic surgery and/or realizing that there are very real risks and hazards involved in surgery and anesthesia. I speak as an informed health care provider, and mother to children who have a family history of MH. You are correct that she most likely gave informed consent for an elective breast surgery and knew the risks and hazards. Did that include incompetence of the medical staff to either recognize and/or to treat her condition? I don't think so..............

Unfortunately, I don't see another ski vacation in the works until sometime after December of 2010....won't have time or money. Although I fight the urge to take some classes and study all summer, I'm going to take advice from many of the posters who say "don't do it". We are planning a spring break trip with the kids to Fredericksburg and San Antonio. My husband has already transferred to the Fort Worth area, but the rest of us are stuck here until our house sells. It's the only time we'll have until school starts. Hope all enjoy their summer and I am really looking forward to meeting everyone. Californianurse~ since you guys love the outdoors, I suggest you take a drive to Fredericksburg and climb enchanted rock. It's not Mt. Shasta, but I think you'll like it and the blubonnets are beautiful! :weathersunsmall:

Godsgem, My concern for you is the same expressed by deepz.....Your husband may not be as supportive as you think. I'm saying this to you from experience. I started nursing school with a 5yr, 3yr and 4mos old. My husband at the time professed his support to me and anyone else in hearing distance. However, he was not the one taking/picking up kids, helping with cooking/cleaning and many times was out of work. The guilt card always comes up when you are stressed to the limit and may be used to sabotage your hard work. Be very careful that you don't get caught up in that kind of situation. We all know marriages that didn't make it through nursing school and I can only imagine the statistics in a CRNA program. If he is truly 100% behind you.... he will allow you to follow your dream with no guilt trips. It will be hard enough with just one small child. I will be starting CRNA school in August with the support of a new husband who is perfectly aware that he will bear most of the responsibility of my 16, 13, and 11 year old children - who aren't genetically his! Now that's support! I hope that you and your husband can come to an agreement and you are able to get through school without those worries. Good luck and God bless.:icon_hug:

Hey RobinsRN, I had the same thought. I know that neurogeek, and others are auditing chemistry classes to refresh, but unfortunately- I didn't have the time available to do that. Someone on another thread suggested a Biochem course that was around $1100. I didn't have that kind of money to spend on a course, so I went to the website, got the info, and bought the study book. I think it was around $65.00. I am using the practice tests from the site along with the book on my own. I'm sure it is harder to learn on my own, but thought it would be a good study guide to get started. Just a thought. The website for this particular course is http://faculty.une.edu/com/courses/b...stbiohome.html Good Luck!!:thnkg: Pedsccrn

Have worn mine twice already. It should be a nice pale purple by August - then I'll have to purchase another!

ljmb, Your GPA and experience look awesome! You'll have the required year of current ICU and then be able to take the CCRN. Neurogeek's right about the age issue - there won't be one. The only advice that I would add is to be thinking soon about studying for the GRE. Maybe it was just me, but the GRE was a real bear for me personally - I was hoping it was just due to the age (I'm 37). Whether you just buy a study book or even take a review course, I recommend doing it early just in case you want to retake it. Good luck in your endeavor, you'll do great! Pedsccrn :bbykck:

:cheers: I'm am sooooooooo very excited to meet you guys and put faces to the names. I'm there! Just let me know when and where. Pedsccrn