casesrna

I sold my laptop to buy a new IPAQ 111 and love it. The program I use most is free from Thomson healthcare. If your hospital has Micromedex, you can download this software for free. It has herbal medications, diseases, labs, and of course medications.

I have almost 1 year completed. I was given a new laptop as a gift when school started. I started with an old handheld and really liked it. Eventually I was using too much memory and it would not work. I sold my laptop and bought a new IPAQ 111 last april and I love it. I use the free Thomson software that is available from any hospital that uses Micromedex. I also have the anesthesia toolbox, tabers medical dictionary, and some mindless games to rest my brain occasionally. I keep my PDA in my scrub pocket every day in clinical. It is indispensible to me. Would not hesitate to purchase again if needed.

Case has some drawbacks, just like any other program. But, it is consistently one of the better programs in the country for a reason. I will say that there is variability in the program depending on where you do your clinicals. Currently there are three sites: Cleveland Clinic Main Campus, University Hospital, and Summa Hospital in Akron. Some people in my class found out within a couple of days, others found out several months later. I don't remember for sure, but April is awfully late. But, Case holds rolling admission interviews unlike most schools that do them at only one period throughout the year.

I interviewed at Akron last year. Their interview is VERY difficult. First you take a clinical test-similar to CCRN certification. Then, they grade the test and use your answers to trip you up during the interview. Four faculty including the Director, Assistant Director and two others. Akron is very critical about who they let in, a little much considering they are only a good program, not a great program. I heard that they lost their program certification some time in the last 10 years or so, which is why they are so demanding of their applicants. There are other better schools out there, don't put all of your eggs in one basket.

I took the graduate stats and research one year (one semester each) and the chemistry and a&P series both the next year. It took a while, but I have three kids and was working on getting my two years ICU experience while doing these courses. Do what fits into your life. I will be 40 when I graduate, but I will still be a CRNA! and still have 25 years to practice. I would shy away from online courses unless the program you want says the specific course you want to take is OK. Otherwise, I think they tend to shy away from online courses. But, in the state I live (Ohio) the 4 year schools and the community colleges work really well together to make as many courses transfer as possible. I retook the chem and A&P at my local community college. They have an ADN nursing program, so the classes were geared specifically towards nursing and transferred without any problems. Also, community colleges are far more inexpensive than 4 year schools. The local school here is also pretty good. My instructors were both PhD level prepared. One more thing about the onlines. I tend to need the discipline of going to class on a regular basis. If I only have to sit down at the computer, I will put it off. So, going to class in person is much more beneficial for me. Plus, if you need to ask a question, especially in classes like chem and a&p, you are there with the instructor, not cummunicating by email. good luck.

I just started at Case Western this fall. My undergrad GPA was 2.8 for various reasons that no longer apply to me. I have been out of school for more than 10 years, so I took my whole chemistry series and anatomy and physiology over again. Many schools require you to retake them anyway if they are more than 10 years old. I also took a graduate level research and graduate level statistics course, also required by many programs. Needless to say, you do need to ace any courses that you take to prepare for the admission process. If you have weak undergrad grades and then don't do well in a prerequisite for the CRNA program, that is going to be difficult to explain away. If you have a "burning desire" to become a CRNA, then utilize that desire throughtout your preparation to get in. Yes, chem can be as bad or worse the second time around, but remember, you need to understand why your meds/gasses work the way they do. Do the best you can to prepare: grades, test scores, references, work experience, interview prep, etc. Hopefully you will get an interview and you can get across to them how serious you are. Anything you can do to offset your undergrad grades will help. Shadow as many times as you can and at different sites. Ask many questions and take note of differences from hospital to hospital. Be prepared to discuss significant things witnessed or learned while shadowing. Try to get references from people who not only are in important positions, try to get one or more from people who are the best in those positions (not just a nurse manager, but someone who is the best nurse manager where you work), and especially one who is supportive of furthering education. Start building relationships with these people now while you are retaking some of your courses, that way when it comes time to apply, they will know you well enough to provide you with a reference. Suck all that you can out of people who are good at what they do. They are good for a reason. Also, find a CRNA-preferably a faculty member where you want to apply and do the same with them. A faculty member told me once to apply everywhere possible. He said that if you are only lacking in one area, someone somewhere will take you. It may not be your first choice, but then again remember, becoming a CRNA is your first choice. All schools meet minimum requirements and any school is only as good as you make the experience. Good luck.

I am planning on buying a new PDA soon and wonder if anyone had any experience with: 1) Palm vs Windows operating systems and the quality of software available for each. 2) What specific programs have you used and what are the strengths and weaknesses of what you have experience with. Thanks!.

Have you spoken with Paul Blakeley's assistant yet? She is the coordinator of the SRNA's at Cleveland Clinic. If not, email me directly at [email protected] I will give you more specifics, i.e. name, email, and phone. Have you also completed your employment application at Cleveland Clinic and sent back your contract? If not, let me know in your email, and I will give you more specifics. BTW I live in Clyde, about 18 miles southwest of Sandusky. Also, did you sign up for the intensive courses for the MSN basics, i.e. NURS443 A, B, and C? or did you just schedule them during the regular semester?

I also am starting at Case in August. I live very close to Sandusky. What clinical site did you get? I will be at Cleveland Clinic. Have a friend who is a senior at Case now. He is at Summa in Akron. I wanted to be close to Case, and my friend said he had heard of bad experiences at University. Also, with CCF being one of the top hospitals in the country, you know you will be able to work anywhere after practicing there. Are you doing anything special to prepare for school?

I also am starting at Case in August. I live very close to Sandusky. What clinical site did you get? I will be at Cleveland Clinic. Have a friend who is a senior at Case now. He is at Summa in Akron. I wanted to be close to Case, and my friend said he had heard of bad experiences at University. Also, with CCF being one of the top hospitals in the country, you know you will be able to work anywhere after practicing there. Are you doing anything special to prepare for school?