Savin'Em

Hello everyone. I'm an SRNA getting ready to start clinicals. Our students have been fitted for earpieces, but I'm wondering what else I need to get to construct the entire device. I have read on some websites of people using airline tubing to construct their own. It's said to work pretty well from what I have read. How exactly do you do this? You just have to then purchase a set of the chest pieces? What about connections? Anyone done this before? Precordials can get pretty expensive so I just thought I'd ask to see if this actually transmits sound effectively. Any input is appreciated! Thanks!

Webster in St Louis did not previously require the GRE...but you'd have to check and see if this is still their policy. I'm not sure why you wouldn't just take it so you can pick a school that is a good fit for you, not just because they have no GRE requirement. I'm not sure what your situation is however. Good luck to you.

Although I'm not trying to diminish the experience you will get in the IMC, it is DEFINITELY not ICU experience. The IMC will hugely prepare you for work in an ICU, but you need icu experience specifically...or I at least hope you do for whatever schools you are thinking of applying to. Personally, I would not be comfortable starting a CRNA program with only IMC experience. Good luck to you.

On the top of your list should be "take a vacation" Next, dont go buying every book that people tell you to on this site...your school will tell you what they want you to have, and you will start to learn which ones are helpful as you go. Enjoy spending time not studying. If it's been awhile since you've been in school, try to remember what study habits helped you in your undergrad or with your CCRN, etc. I would do a few shadowing experiences if you haven't already. Try to see a couple generals and a few MAC cases if you can. Stock up on coffee.

I think the best way to get experience in IV starts is to go to a first day surgery preop holding area or a GI clinic. If you dont have a lot of experience, you dont want to be going around trying to start IVs on patients that are already too difficult for the ICU and floor nurses...that comes with time. It's a skill. Practice on some healthy people to start out, you'll get better each time.

I sorta plan on putting life on hold for a good 27 months at this point. If you had the option to audit a course, would you do it? I may be able to audit the research course if I were to get approved, but I didn't know if this would help me or hurt me in the long run...seeing as I know nothing about the classes themselves. Also, does the financial aid office do a decent job of explaining how all of this works during orientation? I am so confused about all of this financial aid since I have gotten my award packet. I somehow slipped out of undergrad without any student loans....

I haven't seen our class schedule yet, but I am just curious how many hours a day you spend on campus early in the program? And once clinical begins, how are sites selected for students and how many days do you spend at each site (are you in one place for the whole quarter or can you be in several?). Have any recommendations for student insurance? I was just going to go through what the university offers, but there isn't much information about it online. Anyone have time to use the fitness facility at RF? Curious as to what it's like... I'm sure the questions will keep coming, thanks for offering some advice! :)

Might sound strange, but I have never taken a physics class. Is this going to really hurt me when I start my courses? I'm just not sure exactly how much content is going to be "raw and true" physics.

Anyone else starting at Rosalind Franklin this March or been in their program? I know their program is new, so I am just wondering if there's anyone out there who can tell me what it's like. I'm very excited to get started...and a little nervous!

Problem with flight nursing is that it (everywhere I have seen) requires ED experience, which I do not have...and I also do not have an interest in because of peds. It's a great idea, but I'm just not sure I wanna spend a year working in an ER just so I can apply. I have shadowed a CRNA and I know I'd like it...so lets hope that works out! Thanks for the responses!

Hello everyone. I have been an ICU nurse for almost 4 years. After spending a year in graduate school towards my NP, I knew that was not for me. I have very broad experience in large teaching hospitals in all ICUs. I am putting my hopes on CRNA school, because I believe that takes much of what I do like about my job (critical thinking, gtts, ventilation, ABGs, and AUTONOMY!), and gets ride of most of what I dont like (crazy families, unappreciative doctors, unsafe staffing, feeling like a glorified waitress, and poo poo). I know that admission to CRNA school is VERY competitive, so I feel as though I should have another plan. I have one interview for school coming up, so fingers crossed. But does anyone have any ideas as far as nonbedside nursing jobs that still use critical thinking? I've been searching for transplant coordinator jobs and have only found one. Any suggestions????

It is DEFINITELY POSSIBLE to make over 100K. (And with benefits) I work in a position that the hospital can cancel if patient census allows, which is why my base pay is higher. Though canceling does not happen often. This does not require too much overtime maybe a shift or two every couple months. I also work night shift, so there is about a 7,000 dollar/year difference between day and night shifters. You need to live in the right area, which usually requires a higher cost of living. So, it's a trade off if you can make it work. Travel RNs tend to make more money with bonuses, incentives, etc. If you play your cards right and want to make it work, you can.

I know this is the CRNA forum, but I wanted to make sure I got a sound answer on my question. Why can there be a drop in BP with dobutamine gtts? I know that it increases cardiac output, but physiologically, what causes a BP drop?

Be careful with this. SpO2 and SaO2 are two very different values. Sure, in some patients you can use SpO2 as a guide, but it doesn't always reflect what's actually going on in the blood, such as in cases of patients with septic shock. A good guide to help understand this is the oxyhemoglobin saturation curve.

Do all you can to make yourself a better applicant. Take the Kaplan course, it'll be worth the money if you get in. Get your CCRN and any be involved in anything you can to make yourself more rounded and to make up for something else that may not make you seem like a strong applicant (even though you probably are!). You have to sell yourself to them!