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Congratulations to all of you! I am in the Charter Class at TCU and nearing the final practicum for clinicals! I'm sure you are all excited. My advice to all of you...get some rest! You'll need it when class begins, and even more so when clinicals start. I have completed a clinical rotation in El Paso, so if anyone has any questions PM me. The next 28 months of your life are going to be very difficult and trying for you and your families. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and always remember what you are doing is going to be worth it! Again, congratulations and good luck!

Good luck with the results of your interview. I am RRNA in TCU's Charter Class. I have about 1 year left...this is the best professional decision I've ever made. If you feel you are "rusty" in general Chemistry, it won't hurt to take a refresher. You are expected to be familiar with General Chemistry, and the class is lectured/tested @ that level. Organic Chemistry is taught from square 1, so no need to really take any Organic classes in preparation...unless your just dying to take Chem. classes in your spare time! I had Physics I and II prior to starting, but do not feel it helped me much? Just some food for thought. My advice...rest up and enjoy your family and friends now. You won't have much opportunity to do it when class begins! Again, good luck and congratulations...GO FROGS~

With manipulation of the heart, v-fib/asystole occurs @ ~32 degrees. Without manipulation of the heart, v-fib/asystole occurs @ ~28-30 degrees.

I am a SRNA @ TCU. I am currently in my 2nd month of the residency portion. I am also from Tulsa, and am at St. Francis right now. I agree with Hulk, and highly recommend TCU. If you'd like specifics on the program and/or the clinical site at St. Francis and/or distance option for second semester, PM me and I'd be glad to share!

I will look at these...thanks to all.

Does anyone have any good references for Celiac Plexus/Splanchnic Nerve Blocks? I am going to do a Case Review over this procedure and need some references. Any help is appreciated.

You are exactly correct about this jvrb! It is currently a standard of care in the PACU. The standard actually reads that there should be 2 nurses (not necessarily RNs) who are competent in STAGE 1 peri-anesthesia care at the bedside, until the patient is no longer a Stage 1 pt. There are actually three stages, the third ending with discharge from out-patient. As the patient progresses from stage 1 to stage 3, the nurse-to-patient ratios also change. There are specific time-limits & patient criteria for stage one...and all stages. I would think the hospital requiring the CRNA to stay in PACU is on the verge of violating this standard of care, if the CRNA must leave the bedside to do other things "house-wide" while the patient is still in Stage 1. I think these standards are posted on the ANA website? I know some OR nurses are cross-trained in the PACU, and this would be the only way they too would be qualified to stay with the first PACU nurse to recover the pt.

I am currently a SRNA @ TCU, and will be starting the Summer Semester next week! Congratulations on your acceptance. I am also from Oklahoma (Tulsa)! I too lived in Graduate housing, and found it to be a great arrangement. Looks like you've got things squared away...and the idea about PB&J is absolutely correct. It will all be worth it in the end. Again...congratulations and good luck! I think you will find the program both challenging and rewarding. ~Aimy

The day you stop "being a student" is the day you have failed yourself and your patients. :uhoh21: I applaud your conviction and dedication to bedside nursing...however it is in a nurse's true nature to wear many hats. Just as we need nurses with your love for bedside nursing, we too need nurses who seek out higher education to fill positions that are vital to our healthcare system. Good luck in your nursing career...I hope your body lasts as long as your desire.

I agree with all of those previous...enjoy life while you still have one!!! I am currently a RRNA in my second semester at TCU. You will love the program, however, will have minimal time to enjoy family, friends, etc. once you get started! :rotfl:

Well alansmith52...I find it interesting that you voice such a strong opinion about things you only know "rumors" about! :angryfire

I am in the Charter class at TCU! Congratulations on your acceptance! You will not be disappointed! Good luck with future studies! ~Aimy :rotfl:

I am in the Charter class at TCU. From what I understand, they are planning to accept 60 students to start in the Fall. Good luck to all of you with an interview! Keep me posted on your progress!

I am currently in my second semester @ TCU, and must admit their program is a rigorous one...very doable though! The advice posted from TruamaNurse on reviewing for the interview with the CCRN review guide was a great suggestion. I haven't looked at the admission requirements in almost a year, however in the beginning it was only "recommended" that you have your CCRN. It may be a required thing now? I feel the Director of the program takes a wholistic approach to picking applicants for interviews...then choosing those to be accepted. She is very down-to-earth and easy to talk to. She knows her stuff, and expects you to as well. So, trust me, it's not just luck that won you the interview opportunity, as the applicant numbers continue to rise! Our class (Charter Class) is a pretty big mix as far as years of experience is concerned, including a few with only one year of Critical Care experience. Overall, everyone currently in the class is doing well. TCU is a great College, and the CRNA program has been terrific. Good luck on the interview!!

While there is not a nursing school in Oklahoma that has a CRNA program, TCU in Ft. Worth has signed a contract with St. Francis, Tulsa, OK, as a Clinical Site. TCU is also in the process of making Tulsa a distance option learning site. Meaning, you spend from Aug-Dec in Ft. Worth, and complete the other months in Tulsa finishing up. Both major hospitals in Tulsa are starting to recruit CRNAs, therefore, not being opposed to them. St. Francis has stepped up to the plate, and has taken on the Clinical aspect. It would be nice if an Oklahoma college would pick up the didactic part!