TexasCRNA

Granted, CAREFUL growth is needed to a degree but what do you define as growth? A few schools added on every couple of years or saturating the market as NP schools have done? I still say a tight control is better, to allow for more quality vs the numbers. I am by no means an expert on this topic and this just my opinion. Lee

Not to rain on the parade, but I personally don't want a crna school popping up everywhere ( like NP programs)and I am glad the AANA board keeps a tight rein on how many schools there are at present. This also makes the competition tough to get in ( and stay in) and ensures only the best become crnas. I understand how some people don't want to move to go to school or start a new career, but how bad do you want it?? I know numerous people, including myself that have sold their homes, uprooted and moved their families half way around the US, lived in areas less than desirable, not have a pot to pee in, debt up to the gills and still thay find a way to go to a program and become a crna. Now, I am not trying to blast anyone but to encourage you that if you really want to become a crna then move and do what you gotta do, then move back to your roots after the 24 or 27 months. You gotta go get it and why waste years with shoulda, woulda, coulda.

Wannabe, that offer does not sound good. Student loans have a lower interest rate and after school you can consolidate to get an even lower % rate. You also can get a forebearance up to 6 months after school to start paying. I say don't commit to a group or hospital because who knows what kind of offer you can get at the end of your program. You have to remember that as you progress thru school you may change your mind as to where and what type of practice you want to work. Lord knows, I have changed my mind several times as I progressed. There are great offers out there and they will still be there when you get done. I have some freinds that went that route you are thinking about and they all have regretted it. All in all, you do what you have to do to get thru!! Congrats to you on getting into school. Lee. ( Grad day May 22, 03)

Wannabe, that offer does not sound good. Student loans have a lower interest rate and after school you can consolidate to get an even lower % rate. You also can get a forebearance up to 6 months after school to start paying. I say don't commit to a group or hospital because who knows what kind of offer you can get at the end of your program. You have to remember that as you progress thru school you may change your mind as to where and what type of practice you want to work. Lord knows, I have changed my mind several times as I progressed. There are great offers out there and they will still be there when you get done. I have some freinds that went that route you are thinking about and they all have regretted it. All in all, you do what you have to do to get thru!! Congrats to you on getting into school. Lee. ( Grad day May 22, 03)

VA Medic, My friend you sound like you will make a great CRNA, don't be discouraged and go for it!! Yes, your experience is a great tool to get into school( aside from the usual gpa, gre, etc..) but even more so after you get into school. They will still make you meet the min requirements but it sounds like you got that under control. You got a good fire burning..keep it going, Lee.

Got a friend who works with a couple CRNAs that went to school in PR. Says thay have a good didatic. Oh yea don't forget the speaking spanish part. Lee

The difference to PAs to AAs is or would be the same as to trying to say that NPs and CRNAs are the same to which they are not. The training for each is different and so is the govering/regulations/clinical privilages of those jobs. If you wanted to do both you would have to train for both as in clinical hours, classes, etc..

Tia, if you are getting treated like this for the interview, imagine how bad it will be as a student? Move on and find another school even if they accept you. There are plenty of schools out there that respect and treat students well. We all have to put our time in the trenches but there is a fine line that must be drawn and from the sound of that interview they crossed the line, at least for me anyway. Most CRNAs know that in the distance future you will be their peer and not their student and will contribute to the profession of the CRNAs. Hang in there, I know its discouraging but there are better places. Lee.

What a day, I have been doing cases non-stop since 7:15 am till 11:30pm and still have about 8 complicated pre-ops to be done. Shift ends at 8am. These shifts are killer when you have all those cases piled up but you sure get some good experience. Yes I got 3 pee breaks and got to stuff a sandwich in b/t one of the cases which was about 10 min. Hopefully I will get to the call room by 3am if the dang beeper stays quiet!! (No smilie face for the sleepy look). When I graduate I don't think I will work at a place that makes you cover 24hr in house call, its just not worth it at a busy hospital. Just some info for those planning on going to srna school and how it really is out there. Lee.

Scurvy, which school in the caribbean was going to do this? I have a couple of friends that went to AUC and one that is attending now and is currently state side doing his clinical rotations. He tried for 2 yrs to get into med school in the US and finally said screw it and went overseas. Lee.

How about d/c the use of your current machine and get a new one that is fresh and continue with the 100% O2 cuz agent can still be lingering around in the corragated tubing of the first machine. M.H. is drilled into us at my program because one the MDAs is an on-call MDA for the M.H. hotline. DR. Charlie Watson. Kevin, I would love it if you would share some tips or clinical pearls that you have come upon lately? Lee.

Sure, see my post under, " what percentage of .... and you can go from there with your questions. Lee

Doug, out of all the schools in FLA. this one is the hardest to get in, I have heard they kind-of already know who they are going to accept. High apps and very limited class, about 5 students so the ratio is terrrible along with the fact they kinda know whos getting in. I know Barry accepts about 40 students so you will have better odds there and it is a good program. Only draw back is the length of program which is why I did not go there, I wanted to get it done in 24 and finish the torture as soon as possible. Lee

Roland, I can tell you all about FLA. since that is where I am from (Orlando area). The cost of living is not very high and there are jobs out the wazoo for nurses. At one time there was a 10,000 sign on for a hospital in O'town. This was for critical care night shift. I know if you apply to Barry they will divide the class up and half stay in Miami and the other go to Orlando for the duration of the program. This is after the first semester. Miami has a higher cost of living vs O'town. I have a close friend in Orlando in Barrys program right now. He said they also supply an apartment for students free of charge so you can be close to the hospital. My friend lives about an hour from Orlando and stays there during the week and goes home on weekends. From the grapevine from my friend in Orlando, Beware of the program in Naples, word is they have been working the students too many hours and complaints got back to the AANA and they are under investigation at this time. I know those students at that program have to drive all around for there clinical sites. I know the clinical experience at ORMC is excellent according to my friend. Heaven forbid you get into a program and they lose their accredidation. I am pretty sure they have no preference to residents in FLA seeing how just about everyone there is not from FLA. If you interview in FLA let me know and I will give you the heads up since I interviewed at both. Lee

Man, have you guys seen the pay for CRNAs in Texas!?! It is unreal. I just met a CRNA that just started working in Texas and you would not believe the pay. Granted some seem too good to be true but this guy graduated from my program and he is very trustworthy. Check out gaswork.com and pull up Texas. It is a new group that has formed and they are paying the big bucks because they want to get rid of the LTs. They want people to stay and be perms. In my quest of job searches I have found the more the rual the area the better the pay and the bigger the city the lesser pay. I guess I will have to find a happy medium because my wife does'nt want to live in the boonies. I know when I get done I will not work solo and I will want back-up from more experienced CRNAs or MDAs. Oh well, so much for the future got to get back to work just got called to go do a case, 8y/o appy. Lee.