CRNAwannabe

license online ... google VI nursing board - not hard to get. agency - Professional Nurse Service

Just left there in Dec. I had the time of my life, but the hospital can be difficult at times. I would highly suggest doing a 3 month not a 6 month. You will get island fever and be ready to be back in the states after 3 months. One other HUGE suggestion...greet every person you meet with good morning, good afternoon or good night. I don't care if they are the guy on the street. Go ahead and except the fact that things will not run smoothly or as easy as they would in the states and DO NOT allow yourself to get upset about it. No matter how crazy their way of doing things may seem to you don't critisize it just do what they ask and smile and have a good attitude (trust me this will get hard at times). Don't go down there trying to fix things...trust me they get a lot of that and it just doesn't go over well. Thing will happen that could make your blood boil but you just have to let it go if you are going to enjoy your time down there. And work so you can play!!! The island is SOOOO much fun. As far as money goes they all pay about the same, but you will probably have better "take home" money if you don't go with cross country because the per diem set by the Gov is high there so you can really take advantage of it if you go with a company that does not have a set tax advantage for everywhere you go. If they hire too many people they could get overtstaffed and cancel you... yOu might want to think about getting guaranteed hours. I didn't rent a car but took the stipend but if I did it again I would buy a junker island car when I got there for about 1500 and sell it when I left or just leave it. Check out the Island Trader when you get there. I wouldn't do it again without a car, however I was fine without one my first go around. I had a lot of friends that had cars. If you are staying at Sapphire see if you can get a one bedroom - especially if your parents are coming out. otherwise it will be a studio. And when you work nights your husband will have to leave so you can sleep during the day. It seems the majority of the travelers stay at Sapphire so you will have friends around you. If you do want to rent try Barry at 757-718-0096 (I think that is right) I think he will rent for roughly 550/month if you sign 3 month contract...but that was slow season so not sure. Have so much fun! A part of me want to go back, but I think maybe just for a visit next time. Not sure I could do another 3 months there, but I am so glad I did it.

Well put Berry. I can definitely relate to Greg in that I too am a 2nd career, older student that went into nursing for the sole purpose of going to anesthesia school. I graduated in May 2005 and "which schools would let me in with one year exp" was my greatest search request for schools and one of my first questions when I interviewed them. I was so dedicated I moved all the way across the country to an ICU where I could get the best experience. However, after about the 4th month in the ICU I realized exactly what you described and to be quite honest, I still (I'm a little over a year now) have a lot to learn. I do think I could step up to to the plate if I needed to, but I admire the experienced nurses around me where everything is just second nature. I decided I needed another year under my belt before I moved on. I don't think if you go on to NA school after only one year that that is a wrong choice for you, but for me I need a little more "second-nature" stuff in me first.

CPMC in San Francisco starts new graduates out at $40 /hour plus pay diff for evenings, nights and weekends. That is the highest I have seen anywhere. The cost of living is pretty bad there if you want to buy a place but if you rent and don't mind a roommate you can find a place for less than $1000/month. Most 1 bedroom apt. run about 1200-1400 per month. With the higher cost of living however, you do the math, you come out better than $20.00/hour somewhere else. Of course, other things to factor in... kids and family. It might be a little harder to manage if you have a family.

I heard a rumor that University of Miami was going to open up a new CRNA program. Has anyone else heard of this?

I do not know of any "fellowship" type programs, but I believe Virginia Commonwealth offers a PhD in anesthesia.

CRNA, DNSc, I realize you serve on the decision making committee of one of the schools, I just wanted to clarify. Do you mean that they cannot accept "applications" until the requirements are met or simply a school could not admit anyone who had not met the criteria. I have know of students who graduated in May 2003 and will enter CRNA school Sept. 2004. They applied (to accredited schools) in the fall before they had even as much as 6 months experience. However, they will have 1 year 3 months experience upon their entry into the program. If the standards were "application" then the overall standard would be essentially 2 years experience since most schools start the application process for the following year in the fall. Thank you for your help.

Do you have to have one year experience at the time of application or just by the time you enter CRNA school? E.g. if I graduated in May 2005 could I apply in the fall of 2005 to enter CRNA school the Fall of 2006? I had a school tell me that across the board all CRNA schools did not accept applications until you have completed 1 year critical care. I didn't think that was accurate. Does anyone know?

I know they work in Alabama. I have worked with them before. I thought they did a great job from the limited scope of knowledge I know. The MD comes in at the beginning and at the end, but otherwise not seen much.

No Pain, I have the catalog from this school, and I do believe they require you to take a class on religion. It is to be taken the first three quarters of school. This is a quote from the catolog describing the class: "begin with a devotional reading/talking and thus expose the student to Christian philosophy from the Seventh-Day Adventist perspective... While a relationship with Christ is a major topic there will be discussion of Seventh-Day Adventist doctrines. Many of these are held in common with most other churches, some will be held by only a few churches, and only one is unique to Seventh-Day Advenists." It also described the class as supporting the schools belief that "true education involve the growth of the spiritual, intellectual and physical aspect of the student". It is my opinion in reading the material and from what I have heard from student that it is not "shoved" down your throat. It appears they simply believe that religion is a part of your growth as a student and place it as part of their curriculum to ensure your full potential. I do think it is important to consider this if you are highly opposed to any religious teachings. Seventh-Day Adventist faith is very similiar to many protestant faiths - the biggest difference is they observe the "sabbath" on Saturday instead of Sunday. The school does respect that many student observe Sunday as their religious day and make accomadation for them by keeping activities to a minimum on Sunday. Personally, I enjoy being educated on all types of religion. I think it make you a better health care professional. What I choose to believe or not believe is up to me. The school is highly respected and I am considering it as one of my top choices.