papmar

No - you don't have to retake it. I'm going through this process now. I'm licensed in NJ, and I need a PA license too. I contacted the PA Board of Nursing, and they sent me some paperwork that I need to fill out, and some paperwork that I send to the NJ Board of Nursing to fill out (to verify my license in NJ), then they send it to the PA Board. It costs about $100-$200 for the applications, but that's nothing compared to having to suffer through the NCLEX again

I say yes to both. From my understanding, you should only know what you need to know to do your job.

I work nights, and in my unit, we plan to celebrate each night-shift co-worker's birthday. No gifts, just a party. Someone brings a cake, someone else brings sodas, etc. It's nice for everybody (not just the birthday boy/girl). Breaks up the monotony of ordering out/cafeteria left-overs.

Love it. Love it. And it's so flexible. You can work in so many settings in any location with any population you choose. You can work any time of day for as many or as few days per week as you choose. You can virtually name your schedule. And you're in-demand. If you get restless in one aspect, (ex. circulating in the OR) you can do something completely different (ex. camp nursing). There's pleanty of room for advancement, be it additional schooling, administration, teaching, policy-making, research. The sky's the limit. It's a great career.

I searched CRNA on Wikipedia, and found this quote: "Currently, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has endorsed a position statement that will move the current entry level of training for nurse anesthetists in the United States to the Doctor in Nursing Practice (DNP). This move will affect all advance practice nurses, with the proposed implementation by the year 2015. The AANA announced in August 2007 support of this advanced clinical degree as an entry level for all nurse anesthetists, but with a target date of 2025. This will increase the time in training, but refine clinical decision-making through research utilization and science-based practice. In accordance with traditional grandfathering rules, all those in current practice will not be affected." So, if I'm interpreting this correctly, you can apply for Nurse anesthesia school only after you have your masters, and you'll graduate with a Doctor in Nursing practice when you're done. I know anybody can post anything on Wikipedia, so I was wondering if anyone else heard anything like this. I searched the AANA website a little, and couldn't find anything to this effect. What do you think?

Hey Mark2climb, Did you end up going to Penn?

I was not quizzed on anything at my interview. I guess I was lucky

I interviewed with U.Penn a couple of months ago. The interview was pretty short (about 1/2 hour), with the directors of the program. They asked me only a few questions: "Why Penn?" "Why Nurse Anesthesia?" "Have I shadowed a CRNA?" "Describe a sick patient that I cared for." "Any questions?" (There may have been a few other minor questions, and a few personal questions, that I've forgotten.) Then they described the program at Penn...what to expect, etc. They didn't reveal their thoughts/decision at that time. They explained that they would put a recommendation into the board, and then the board would make a final decision. A couple of weeks later, I received my acceptance letter with instructions on securing a spot for Summer 08. I hope this was helpful. Good Luck to You!