mbrian46

I had a GRE of 950 quan/verbal and a much lower GPA of 3.2 and got accepted to an anesthesia program, so far have a 4.0 in school. My point........the GRE does not reflect a person's success in grad school. Most schools look at the overall picture instead of just GRE/GPA scores.

In the NSICU where I used to work Decadron was mainly used on brain tumors, not for ICP control. Opioids, benzodiazapines, along with paralytics were used mainly for ICP control. Steroids have undesirable side effects, such as delayed wound healing, increased blood glucose, etc.

I'm sorry, I did forget to mention some minor details of Erie's snow (about 150 in. per year) and the wind off the lake can cut through you now and then, but other than that it's an ok place to be............ :)

If you have the extra money and time, go ahead and take it. It would be more initials behind your name. But, be sure you will be able to satisfy the CE requirements to keep your CCRN when it comes time to renew. I believe you have to have 100 CE's w/in 3-4 yrs. I am in school now and kind of struggling with this problem. To keep my CEN I need 100 CE and it comes up for renewal the same time that I graduate. I would check with the AACN, I have heard that in addition to CE's you have to have worked so many hours in the critical care setting to qualify for renewal.

Oh yeah, tuition for the 28 months is around $23,000 (give or take a little), which is cheap compared to some other schools I have looked at in the past.

I live in Erie and I am attending Hamot's anesthesia program. I am in my first year and really like the program. Clinicals start your first semester, the classes are taught by CRNA's and the staff MDA's. It's a very clinical based program. I have not worked in the heart rooms yet, but I haven't heard anyone complain that they are overworked...(as someone commented on this earlier). I went to school to learn and the more experience, the better. The graduating seniors of this year averaged about 800-900 cases....I think. Erie is cold in the winter, but it's not that bad. The hospital/school overlooks Lake Erie, it's a nice area.

We used Precedex in the neurosurgical ICU where I used to work. From my experience with neuro patients it did not work very well on this patient population. We would extend the loading dose to about 20 min. instead of the recommended 10 min., but still would see hypotension in a majority of the patients. This is an undesirable side effect especially in neuro pts. with ICP issues. Plus, when pts. became agitated it would take longer for them to calm down on Precedex (unlike Propofol, where it just takes a few extra bumps to sedate them). The range for Precedex is .3-.7 mcg/kg/h (I think), so there's not much room for titration. Propofol still rules............

We used Precedex in the neurosurgical ICU where I used to work. From my experience with neuro patients it did not work very well on this patient population. We would extend the loading dose to about 20 min. instead of the recommended 10 min., but still would see hypotension in a majority of the patients. This is an undesirable side effect especially in neuro pts. with ICP issues. Plus, when pts. became agitated it would take longer for them to calm down on Precedex (unlike Propofol, where it just takes a few extra bumps to sedate them). The range for Precedex is .3-.7 mcg/kg/h (I think), so there's not much room for titration. Propofol still rules............

I agree monitoring end-tidal concen. during a case is more of a reliable indicator of the brain p.p. as opposed to the dialed in concen. A CRNA (charts dialed in) gave this example: If a pt claims to have been awake/aware during surgery, case goes to court, and anesthesia records indicate agent concen. (end-tidal) throughout the case was considerably less than MAC, then the fingers would be pointed at you. However, if the dialed in concen. was charted that that is closer to an "appropriate" anesthetic level then it would CYA more. I am still in my first semester of school and new to the clinical setting, so I hope I'm making sense.

Quick question for SRNA's or CRNA's...When charting concentration of the anesthetic agent, do you chart what's dialed in or end tidal concentration? There seems to be mixed opinions among the CRNA's at the hospital where I am doing my clinicals. I have heard the pros and cons of both. What's the right way?

I was in a similar situation last year when I first applied to anesthesia school. My prereq. science grades were C's in Chem I,II, and Microbiology; of course all taken about 9-10 yrs. ago. My overall was about 3.2. I applied to different schools last year, thinking the interview panel would understand and accept the fact that I was a typical "college kid". Well, during every single interview....after reviewing my transcript, the first thing every one asked was "What about your C's in your science classes?" I was on a few alternate lists and got a few denials. One school told me that I did not get in because of my grades in these classes. So, I retook Chem I and Micro this past summer.....made A's, planned on taking Chem II this past fall, but was accepted to a program this past Jan. So far, making A's. My suggestion is if it's feasible to retake these classes, then do so. There is nothing more frustrating than to be asked about your bad grades in old classes, knowing that you are a much better student and more focused now than you were at 18. Remember, if the interview panel is deciding between two people, one with an A in chem. and one with a C in chem, who are they more than likely going to take? That's my advice, anyway. I do know people who are in programs now that had C's in their prereqs, but still eventually got in. Good luck....................Brian

I am currently in my first semester at the Hamot/Gannon Univ. program. So far, so good. Based on my experience, they interview at the end of July for admission in Jan. Our class consists of 16 people. The interview was very relaxed, consisting mainly of "getting to know you" questions. We had one clinical question. They do not necessarily interview everyone that meets the requirements, but just the one's they are most interested in. I think they interviewed 25? people last year for 16 slots. The letters were mailed the following week. Most of the classes are held at Hamot (it overlooks Lake Erie, very nice). The classes are taught by MDA's and CRNA's. You do start clinicals your first semester, only one day a week, but nice to go ahead and get your feet wet. If you have any more questions please let me know.

I took O chem last year and missed an A by 1.5 points. Ahhh. Anyway, ended up with a "B" in the class. If you can make an A, do it, if not don't worry about it. I started an anesthesia program this year, so far no B's in my classes. In my physics/chem. class this semester we will cover O chem in just one lecture.

I'm currently attending Hamot Medical Center School of Anesthesia/ Gannon University in PA. I am in my first semester, so far, so good. There are 16 people in my class. In the past admissions were Fall and Spring, but now it's just Jan. classes. I have enjoyed the program so far.

I am in my third week of a program in PA. So far, it's not that bad. I just spent time with my family and friends before the year started. There's really no point in reading ahead .... chances are you won't retain most of it. You will be doing plenty of reading when you start your program. My two cents.......best of luck to all. Brian

I have never applied to the program you are talking about, but today a recruiter from the Army Reserve spoke with us about a program called STRAP. Basically, the army will pay you 1200-1500 dollars a month while in anesthesia school. For every year you do this you owe 2 years back to the Army Reserve, plus they will pay $20,000 towards your student loan for each year you receive funds (up to $50,000). It sounded like a decent proposal. Does anyone have any further insight about this program or know anyone doing this?

Athomas.......I feel exactly as you do because my program starts next Wed. I was thumbing through my books earlier this month and realized the challenge that is ahead. (It's not the easiest reading) Anyway, I have decided to relax these next couple of weeks and not even mention anesthesia until its time. Best of luck to you. Brian

Congratulations on your acceptance....what school are you going to attend?

Sorry to hear about your rejection letter. If it makes you feel any better, I had applied to 5 places last year and ended up with 3 rejections and 2 alternates. I applied to just one program for this January and was accepted. So, don't give up........

My situation last year was similar to yours. My GPA wasn't the highest, I played around a little in my undergrad. I had to retake three science classes this past year, it bumped my science GPA up to about a 3.6. I did get in to a program starting this Jan. Go for it and good luck.

overall GPA about 3.3, science GPA-3.6, GRE- 1510 (old test). 8 yrs total experience- Emergency Dept.- 5 1/2, Neurosurgical ICU- 2 1/2 yrs Level I trauma center. ACLS, PALS, TNCC, CEN. Grades and GRE aren't exceptional, but I did get accepted. I did retake a few science classes this past summer that I had C's in during my undergrad 10 yrs ago.

I'm presently taking Organic Chem. and it's not too terribly bad. I will finish next week with either an A or a B pending next week's final exam (probably a B). The class will definitely weed alot of people out. We started with close to 30 now we are down to 10. I will say that Organic is much better than Gen. Chem. I and II., both of which I barely passed with a C!! The main thing is to not get behind on the material. Some of it is actually kind of interesting if you can believe that. I have applied to a few places that do and do not require the class as a prereq. Well, good luck...

I've read somewhere that giving Nimotop sl decreases effectiveness. Anyone verify this? We have gel caps which pts. swallow if necessary or we puncture the cap and give it down a NG tube.