scorpiontail

I also start the CRNA program in about 2 weeks. I am optimistically horrified. I really appreciate the insight that you have provided. Believe it or not your advice is on point. 95% of the SRNA's I have spoken to say the same exact phrase "It's do able." That's all they say. "Just focus and study hard" they also add. My program is front loaded and I have already completed 12 credits prior to my start date. This I feel pretty good about. Was there any study pattern that worked in particular for you?

Now that you are in the CRNA program and knowing what you know now, what would you do differently before starting the program?

HI-TEC-C pens are available in .25mm, .3mm and .4mm on JET PENS.COM. They are the best. It's all I've ever used in the ICU and will continue to use them in the program. Try to avoid the .25mm because it tends to slice through paper. Seriously.

Follow your passion. Is it money or glory? If it is money, then you can open a hot dog stand on the right corner of downtown and probably make more than any doctor or CRNA in a year. If it is glory, then take acting classes and earn a spot on the series ER ( acting as a doctor ) and make a million bucks an episode and be famous at the same time. You should follow and do what you really love to do regardless of time and investment. I think those are the people that are most happy and successful in life. Decide quick because time really does fly by. Good luck.

Organic shows one semester of intense study in what is (expected to be) a somewhat challenging professor and curriculum as opposed to the CCRN which reflects an accumulation of critical care nursing knowledge over the years. I'd bank on the CCRN. On your interview they are not going to ask you stereochemistry or anything like that.

WOW! barely a year? Your GRE must of been off the charts with a >3.75 GPA and a ton of sciences. Anyway congrats!

I am from South Florida and I hear that Barry's program is very tough, very expensive and a very reputable school for excellence. It is one of the original Anesthesia Programs in Florida. I here that it is very personable and conducive to graduating their students. Everyone I talk to about the program is very pleased and have no regrets about their decision to attend Barry U. They offer a Master's of Science degree so there is a little more emphasis on the sciences like Biochemistry etc. Strongly considering myself. The choice is ultimately yours.

Congratulations on that big accomplishment. Which feels better getting into CRNA school or this? :nuke:

I've been working in the ICU's for the past 9 years. The first year was the worst and the scariest. The anxiety level when getting dressed, driving to work, clocking in and finally walking into the unit was CRAZY! This was the my first year in the MICU of a major county hospital in South Florida. If you took 18 of the sickest patients, one from each of the hospitals in your Tri-county area and put them on one unit then this would describe what I walked into daily. However it makes you stronger and it builds character. You are always going to have co-workers that make your days at work a little uneasy. The way past that is to focus on your goal everyday and then visualize yourself delivering your post-op patient to them as a CRNA. The work in the ICU is tough emotionally and physically. Sometimes I wonder how some older nurses do this for 15 and 20 years. Get all of that experience and don't forget because it is invaluable. Once a CRNA you will never go back to bedside and you just might wish that you grabbed a little more along the way. I think passing the CCRN will take a little more than 3 months. It depends on if you are just studying to pass a test or absorbing everything at work for the sake of gaining confidence and increasing your knowledge base. The latter will make passing the CCRN soooooooo much easier.

Is this 4 real? It sounds to good to be true. After 9 years of bedside ICU and Trauma nursing I feel that this field would be a form of retribution 4 me. I am sure you have no regrets. More power to you. Keep up the good work and continue to keep those standards high so that the profession can bargain with power now and in the future.