mahalo366

What are people's various tricks for protecting the teeth during intubation? Obviously easy airways are not the concern here, but with the more challenging airways, or with patients with teeth that are already compromised (chipped, cracked or micro-fractured, or with bridges or caps), does anyone change their routine? Anyone care for the tooth guards, use alcohol swabs on the front teeth, or switch blades? Just curious.... Thanks, Mahalo366

Well, I don't know what state you're from, because to me, acute care is a step down from intensive care, which is required for anesthesia school, but maybe we're talking about the same thing. Anyways, I have been on my own in a neuroscience ICU in Oregon for just under 1 full year. I went directly into the ICU from nursing school, and I was accepted to Duke University's CRNA program for January. My GPA was 3.97, GREs were 1220, and I had good letters of recommendation. I think the goal statement is super important as well. I hope this helps as a start! Mahalo

Congrats on getting the interview! That is a really exciting phonecall/email isn't it! Well, I interviewed at Duke and was accepted, so here's is my advice: 1. Practice mock interview with a friend, a mirror, or your SO. 2. Look up behavioral interviewing and know what it is, these are the types of questions they will ask. 3. Think of strong stories from your nursing career that you can apply to multiple situations (i.e., a time you had to act fast, but also was a good example of effective communication or delegation, etc.) 4. Wear a nice suit...be really sharp looking physically...it never hurts. 5. I was asked NO clinical questions, but I was prepared to answer questions. I was brushed up on my vasoactive and other drugs, ACLS and other things I deemed important. 6. Be confident! Reinforce youself positively and visualize yourself getting accepted. If you're religious, pray about it. 7. Show yourself. Do NOT BS your way through questions if you dont' know the anwser 8. Read "watchful care" available on the AANA website for 25 bucks: it's a great review of the history of CRNAs 9. Know what's going on in the AANA right now, as well as in your local chapter. 10. Lastly, have a list of intelligent questions to ask, like "What are the statistics of new CRNA placements after graduation." "Will I be used as staff." "What is the student to teacher ratio." "Do you have a simulation lab." "Will I get good practice in regional anesthesia." Things like this. So, all this being said, GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!! Mahalo

;)Well, the interviews are over now (I know, I interviewed too), so did you get good news?!?!