JadamR15

That is to say, do hospitals typically use more than one travel agency? I ask because I'm currently with one company, but am thinking about putting in paperwork with other companies, just to open myself for better options. I also ask because I'm looking in a particular city, and I'm consistently seeing 1-2 ICU jobs in the city - listed by different companies. I'm starting to think they are actually the same two jobs, and it's not worth it to sign up with other companies. Thoughts? Thanks ahead of time!!

here's my 2 cents: i found the racc program very helpful and a great program - and this is coming from someone who nearly failed out, but righted my ship and ended up with a respectable gpa, and a's for the last two semesters. you'll study like never before, but you learn a great deal from the profs as well - who are actually quite skilled at lecturing. i lost many classmates too - but that was mainly because the students were not used to challenging material. most students who failed out of the rn program were students who barely passed a&p i and ii - not academic stalwarts. also, being right out of hs, many students are immature and expect to keep up the 'party' lifestyle during rn education - which just isn't feasible in any rn program. i still maintain a few relationships with the profs there nearly 10 years later. overall a good experience.

"GuestRN" - you sound bitter. I found the RACC program very helpful and a great program - and this is coming from someone who nearly failed out, but righted my ship and ended up with a respectable GPA, and A's for the last two semesters. You'll study like never before, but you learn a great deal from the profs as well - who are actually quite skilled at lecturing. I lost many classmates too - but that was mainly because the students were not used to challenging material. Most students who failed out of the RN program were students who barely passed A&P I and II - not academic stalwarts. Also, being right out of HS, many students are immature and expect to keep up the 'party' lifestyle during RN education - which just isn't feasible in any RN program. I still maintain a few relationships with the profs there nearly 10 years later. Overall a good experience.

yes, check out mercyships and mexico medical missions Probably not, given the lack of profs for CRNA's Very bright - as education for nurses continues to get better, and as medicine services continue to get more expensive, chances are that APN services like CRNA's will become used more often and they're powers expanded. PM me if you'd like some other sources.

Minority: Hey, I'm half spanish too. No, don't play the race card. All merit. When you're putting someone to sleep and managing their medical complications while in surgery, they won't care much about your skin color :). Learn as much as you can in a high-quality ICU, and take as much science as you can in your undergrad. My 'white' friends think that somehow I've received more cash or something for being PR -- ha!

All - I agree with the above posts. I was in a similar position as you, and I took a MICU, rather than a SICU position. I hindsight, I should have done the SICU. If you can, keep looking for a surgical ICU. If not - take Sleeper's advice - most of your experience is what you make of it, anyway. One note - in my hospital, the CCU is barely 'Critical Care'. Very few really sick patients (and then they get transfered to the ICU, anyway...). And, some Nurse Managers have a habit of overstating acuity. Just a heads up.

Yeah, the above address will work. I did it myself. The BKAT is not supposed to be used for employment, but it is...just call the office, ask what to send to get a copy of the test, and send it.

715..do you mean 71.5%? Yeah..I found the book by Dennison to be very reader un-friendly. Did you pass your exam after her review? I suppose feeling temporarily retarted is OK if you got the credential, eh? :)

Yeah, it's 70% to pass. Thanks man -

If you used the PASS CCRN! CD exam question to practice for your CCRN exam, what scores were you getting? I'm getting 65 - 75%, and I'm worried...Thanks!

If you've used the PASS CCRN! CD to study for your CCRN prior to applying to CRNA school, what scores were you getting on the practice exam? I'm consistently getting 65 - 75%, and I'm worried. Thanks!

Yes, my facility is also feeling the pain of the economy, mainly from a lack of elective procedures, which you know, tend to be lucrative for hospitals and anesthesia dept's alike. What do you think about these Doctorate programs that stress leadership, management, and education. Think it's worth the 30 grand? And to answer your previous question, I love the clinical portion of my job (ICURN now), but believe there's something to be said for quality administration. Thus, I was drawn to DNAP programs that offered training in that area. Whattdya think?

"while there are management positions available in hospitals, they may be the first to go in the eventual healthcare reform" Come now, you must explain that statment!!

Hello! The CAMC (http://www.camcinstitute.org/anesthesia/description.htm) program look quite attractive. Any grads or current students out there who know anything about the program? I live almost 7 hours away from the college, so any help would be appreciated!

Hey, thanks for the heads up on this! This is exactly what I've been looking for!

Yeah, take it at the one that offers the CRNA program. First, you might be able to take some MSN level courses in your BSN degree, saving money and time. Also, you might get to meet some of the CRNA staff/faculty, building some rapport.

What do you mean that "you don't have time for that?" Are the tests timed? Thanks!!

I hear a lot people saying they worked in the hospital, taking 24hr call, working weekends etc... what type of cases did you do in the hospital? Do CRNA's work on the complicated cases? I've heard in conversation that CRNA's are rarely used on complicated cases (i.e. OHS). Do CRNA's get stuck with mostly simple to moderate cases? Thanks!

I'm working on my CRNA essay for my application to Jefferson U, and I'm curious what other students did for their essay. Was it mentioned in the interview? Do CRNA schools focus on this as much as other graduate schools do? It won't effect my work on the letter, but I'm curious for some perspective. thanks!!

Wow...this is great info! We should probably have a post just to discuss what SRNA life is like

St. Joe's/Nazerath Hospital in Phili also takes a non-BSN undergrad degree. Need that RN, though. If you live in Florida (or a few other states in the south) you could always become a AA. (Anesthesiology Assistant)

Wow, what an interesting thread. Since this the "pre-CRNA" forum, I assume that this is for school interviews. What are they like? I have no idea at all. thanks

Whoa buddy, relax. No, I'm not asking that - read my posts, and you'll understand that. The phrase "rumor mills" tends to refer to casual talk amongst peers about any given subject. In my second post, I confirmed that rumor from at least one school, and someone was gracious enough to provide insight about other schools in the same area. Why are you so concerned about it? How would it be sensible for me to use a public forum to confirm what a private email from a director of anesthesia education sent me? I really got all I needed from this post, and after a rough night of work - your comment doesn't seem to have much purpose, esspcially when it seems you've not read all the posts.

lizk: yes, i am talking about crna schools. unfortunantly i got an email from tornetta school of anesthesia today: our program is taking applications for the class starting 2011. we are full for 2008, 2009 and 2010. if you have specific questions, i'd be happy to discuss them with you and offer any helpful advice i can

Hey, thanks alot. Always good to have some insight into the situation.