Tia

I concur with the Hydrocortisone but I was taught that 200-300 mg/70 KG is given for major surgeries and 25-100 mg for minor/elective surgeries. Has anyone else used this dosing? There are several ways to dose Hydrocortisone but the goal is to provide coverage while avoiding major side effects. Some anesthesia providers won't dose for minor elective procedures unless they encounter refractive hypotension. It would be a good topic to discuss in an anesthesia conference or research to see if any evidence-based reports are available.

I just graduated in December and most schools highly stress that you shouldn't work during the program. You are better off applying for loans to cover remaining expenses before you quit working to attend school and spending the small amount of spare time you have with your husband. Good luck with school and congrats on your acceptance!! Sincerely, Tia

Congrats!! I was thinking about you and hoping for good news. Tia

crazylilkelly, First, you didn't get married so that you could neglect yourself and your goals. Now with that being said, I know that you don't want to neglect your husband because I understand why you say that. My husband and I were in grad school at the same time, it was a huge sacrifice, but we supported each other fully. There were many nights where the only time we saw each other was right before we fell asleep. Now that we are both done with school we are so happy that we accomplished our goals and are both proud of ourselves and each other. Second, I was totally prepared when I left school and in fact I can say that I was comfortable doing a wide variety of cases when I still had 6 months of clinicals left. A person should rarely ignore their gut instinct so with that I wish you good luck!! Sincerely, Tia

Let me get this correct, you are not an RN at this point and don't have a license to practice as an RN?? If not then you will not be able to work in an ICU unless you can find a job as a tech. I hope I have understood your post correctly and have not offended you if you are already an RN. Sincerely, Tia

Check with your nurse anesthesia department at your school, they should know where you can get them. The school that I just graduated from had a rep come in and fit us with earpieces. There are precordials available that don't require a perfect fit but I am not sure where you can purchase them.

There are quite a few people that are queasy in the OR for the first couple of surgeries and then they become use to it. A good CRNA always knows what is happening on the other side of the drape so that means you will have to see the surgery. There are numerous types of surgeries that can change your anesthetic requirements based on what is happening at that point in the procedure. The best course of action at this point is to shadow some CRNA's but let them know that you get queasy and see if you feel better after watching a few. Good luck and always eat a good breakfast before you go into the OR. Sincerely, Tia

I can now stop stalking the FedEx guy, I received my results today and I PASSED! I feel like a huge weight has lifted off my shoulders. Good luck to all that are waiting for results. Tia

PtAdvocate81, I felt the exact same way you did and all you can do now is wait for the results. Try to keep yourself busy, enjoy the free time that you have now if you aren't going to start work right away, and realize that there isn't much you can do about how you tested now. Boards are pretty much designed to make you feel like you failed but the pass rate is high considering. Good luck and keep your head high. Sincerely, Tia

CONGRATS nica71, I am so jealous. I bet that is a huge relief. You deserve to go do some celebrating in whatever manner you choose!!! :balloons:

:chuckle I bought a bag of chocolate chips yesterday at the grocery store, maybe I should whip up a batch quick!!

nica71 Good luck with your results. I tried the FedEx tracking earlier today and didn't get any results. I don't really harass the FedEx guy, I just watch for the truck everyday

SRNAjkb, Do you have any news yet? The FedEx guy is going to think I am stalking him:bugeyes: Everytime he drives through my apartment complex my heart races. Today he stopped right in front of my building but took a package to another apartment number. I will keep my fingers crossed for you!!

Thanks SRNAjkb!

Since Halothane has been removed from formulary I tend to use Sevo & Nitrous for inhalation induction. If the case is going to be long then I will switch to Iso once the child is alseep. Children seem to wake up smoother but some anesthesia providers don't agree with mixing volatile agents.

I took my boards on Wed too, I took 120 questions and I am totally freaking out. I walked out of the testing center absolutely feeling like there is no way in the world that I passed. It seemed like I got tested on everything that I didn't know. The only thing I can do now is wait, try to stay busy with things I enjoyed before I went to school, and not go insane Good luck with your results!!

If anyone is using them what do you like/dislike about them??? I am mainly looking for experiences related to the labour/delivery area. I am doing a pros/cons paper for my regional pain managament class and would love to hear CRNA/SRNA experiences with them. Thanks. Tia SRNA

Once a patient has met brain death criteria and family has decided to undergo organ harvest the patient remains in the ICU until all lab work has been completed and confirmation that organs can be accepted. Pressor and ventilator support is required in the ICU to perfuse the organs until they arrive in the OR. The CRNA/MDA job is to continue the pressors until the organs have been harvested. No anesthestic gases or analgesia is given. Once harvest has been completed you turn off the ventilator and leave the room. Some CRNAs find it a difficult assignment because it is our job to wake the patient up at the end not just leave the room. On the other hand, it is very rewarding to receive a letter of where the organs went and knowing that you may have saved another life. Good luck with your future plans in anesthesia. Tia

My question had nothing to do with the clinical aspect of nursing and my ICU experience but more about my personal situation while in school. There is an 80 percent divorce rate in graduate school. If you are married or in a serious relationship how do you plan to provide emotional support to family and balance your studies?? Do they understand the sacrifice you are undertaking and who is going to be there to support you besides your significant other. I was not prepared for those kind of questions but they are very important. The less distractions you have during school the better. Tia

Hey Tom how about some words of wisdom for the SRNA's that have finals coming up I wish there was an icon for, I am pulling my hair out right now. Just had 2 physiology tests from you know where and I just heard that the final can take 4-6 hours to finish. Only 4 more tests to go! I think I can I think I can :) Good luck to all that have interviews and SRNA's with finals. Tia

I was wondering if anyone has a good website for interpreting 12 lead EKG's. I have all the steps but I just want the 12 lead so I can diagnose them on my own. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Tia

CONGRATS :balloons: Now go on trips to places you want to see, spend time with your family and work on projects that you want to accomplish. Don't think about school!! Trust me, you won't have much time after that first day of classes starts. Check back with us from time to time. Tia

Thanks. I actually have the Cusick's Anesthesia sheet but didn't notice the little print at the bottom of the inhalation section. :rotfl: MAC-BAR is the level that blocks adrenergic responses. I am guessing that if you are at a MAC-BAR level you will be blunting the effects of intubation.? Our instructor just has them broken down into more levels then what seems to be the norm. Tia

I am looking for a website or better yet a table that gives me the different MAc percentages for the different inhalation agents in relation to: MAC-awake MAC-induction MAC-Intubation MAC-Awake MAC-Bar I have looked through my textbook and various websites but have only found partial lists. Thanks. Tia

That is a short program. I too graduate in December of 2006 but our first day was June 1st. I am 2 weeks into my second semester. You will be very busy but that does have its advantages..time goes FAST:):) Good luck and let us know if you need any help or just a place to vent. There is a great knowledge base here. :balloons: Tia