Eileen2010

Beedog, Thank you for the info. I have a few plans and contingencies for school, but wanted to check contracts too. I too think that is lowest on my list of options. My biggest concern is not being able to sell my house and having to pay this mortgage during school. That's why I am checking. Real estate in MA is horrible! Anyway, how do you like the UC program? They are on my short list (already started the app, waiting for recommendations). The students in the online video seem pleased with the program, but they were chosen by the school to talk about it. Are the clinicals good? I hear they are all fairly local (20 miles or so). How old are the students in your group? Hows housing in the area? Thanks for your input. Congrats on finishing the first year! Eileen

Most likely your facility uses the Core Curriculum for ICU training. That's pretty standard. Don't go crazy when you see it since it is a giant textbook. Concentrate on learning one system at a time. Right now, get a grasp on cardiovascular (EKGs, pulses, measuring edema, checking JVP, meds, MIs). Then move on to respiratory, neuro, GI, GU, endocrine.....slowly! It can be overwhelming otherwise. If you really want a review book, look for one of the pocket guides (Critical Care Checkmate is very popular, or Porter's Pocket Guide to Emergency and Critical Care). Small enough to keep in your bag for quick reference. Google them for where to order. In regard to medications, learn categories (beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, vasopressors, vasodilators, diuetics, narcotics). For the most part, the info in each category is the applicable to all the drugs of that category. It will make your life easier overall. Relax. Enjoy the transition. Check in and let us know how it is going. Eileen

You will have to base your decision of several factors. Some of those include: Is your facility a teaching hospital? If so, patient rounds could start as early as 5am, or go on all day on the day shift, and I have always learned a ton of new material by listening to and participating in morning rounds. Will there be an experience preceptor available to you, no matter what shift? It won't be helpful if you are thrown on nights with only other new nurses to guide you. Are you a night person? Can you sleep well during the day? If you know you will be on nights in the ICU, would your body benefit by adjusting to a night schedule now? Will there be opportunity to learn/study on nights? Are educational programs offered then? Will you have to cut into your sleep time to accommodate the educator and come in on a day shift for classes? Will a quieter time (no families, less travel, fewer procedures) give you more time for independant study and review? Finally, although it is true that nights in the ICU are busy, they are truly not as busy as days in some respects. (Please don't slam me....I work perm nights in the ICU and have for years) In most hospitals, most of the post ops come out on days or evenings. The emergent cases happen at night. More travel happens during the day. Interventional radiology, CT guided drainage, Cath lab, are usually day based departments with call in availability at night. More rounding and therefore bedside teaching happens on days. You have the opportunity to see a lot on the day shift. But if your unit is chaotic or understaffed at baseline, you could be left hanging in the breeze on days whereas you might have more 1:1 time for learning and growth on nights, with the right preceptor. See what I mean? There are advantages to both, and disadvantages too. This will be your career and you must advocate for yourself and your needs. Maybe you could shadow someone on both shifts before you decide, see what both shift are really like. You may find a connection with someone that would be worth investing in. Good luck. I started in the ICUs decades age after only a few months on the floor. It has been a great experience. I wish you well. Eileen

I am trying to plan finances for next year. I will have savings, hopefully some scholarship money for 1240 GREs, Stafford loans. Are any students getting contracts this year? Can you share some details, including money offerred for how much time in return? Thanks in advance. Eileen

Go for it! Age doesn't have to be a negative factor on your applications. Check with your local CRNA programs (or those you are willing to relocate to) for science reqs. You may have to retake some chemistries if they are 20 years old. And getting A's in those courses will raise your GPA, too. An above average GRE score also sets you above the pack in the application pool. Try Cracking the GRE as a study guide. It gives great tips, tricks, and study info for the GRE. Good luck. Keep us posted on your progress. Eileen

Quick update.... GRE's are over! And I am thrilled! Scored a 1240 (650 verbal, 590 math). Physical at Walter Reed was fine, long day, but I am "medically qualified for duty". Two steps down, many more to go until June 2010. Eileen

I leave for Walter Reed in the morning for my physical. A little nervous since I am old and out of shape. I have lost about 30lbs so I am closer to army weight. Reserve app is in progress but I have the verbal OK from the Chief Nurse of the local unit. He is on board with my joining the reserves to get to OBLC in the fall and USAGPAN next June. The unit isn't due to deploy anytime soon, so I am feeling better about that end of it all. Northeastern app completed, except for my current transcript which should go out this week. So I think all I need is the Phase II interviews which the recruiter is working on setting up. Even on the home front things are falling into place. My son and some friends want to rent my house from me so I am not stressing out about selling in a bad market. Anyway, thanks for the input. GREs this Friday. And the practice exams look really good, so I am hopeful for a competetive score. Cindy, you must be getting excited. Leaving soon for San Antonio. Have a great year! I'll be watching for updates on how it's going. Eileen

I will be 45 on Tuesday (Happy Birthday to me!) and am in the process of applying for June 2010 when I will be 46!!!!!!!!!!!!! I finally realized that I was getting too old to put it off any longer.

Has anyone taken GRE practice tests (such as Princeton or Kaplan Review) and had the scores correllate with your actual test scores? I'm taking the test Friday and hope my practice scores will reflect the actual test. Thanks for any input.

I am in the middle of ALL the steps of applying. My recruiter is setting up appts everywhere! Next stop is Walter Reed for my physical, daily visits to the gym to get my 2 mile run down to the appropriate time, studying for GREs in 3 weeks but practice tests look promising. I am determined to make this work somehow. Thanks to all for the infoand encouragement. Eileen

Thanks for the input. This is the kind of info I was looking for. I will not be using STRAP for school, only cash. I have been able to free up the fall semester by taking a class this summer, so OBLC won't interfere with school. If reserves is the way to go to get OBLC done, then I guess my decision is already made. Good luck in San Antonio. I hope to see you at the dinner in June 2010 when you leave and I arrive! Eileen

I have 24 yrs critical care experience. BSN is 3 classes away, but the last one is only given in the spring, so next Jan thru May is the first chance I have to take it. I specifically want the USAGPAN program for a few reasons: quality of education, chance to give back to my country (now that my family is grown), military career as a CRNA with retirement benefits, chance to be paid while going to school for free. My concern is signing on to the reserves now as a critical care nurse when what I really want is AD to USAGPAN. Could I be jeopardizing my plan for USAGPAN in June 2010 if I get deployed before then as a critical care nurse? Or is it true that there is a "student status" as my recruiter says and I would only be responsible for the one w/e a month, then go AD for school next year. I am not concerned with the payback time, since I hope to stay in until I retire. Hope that makes it clearer. Still looking for input regarding the reserves. Eileen

I am in the middle of applying for USAGPAN for 2010. I will finish my RN-BSN in May 2010. My recruiter is trying to get me to sign on in the reserves now as a critical care RN, so I can go to OBLC in November. I think I should wait until I hear from Northeastern this summer (application submitted already, don't know how long it takes to hear from them). Any input is appreciated. I have a great full time job in critical care so I am not looking to join the army in that capacity, but will do what is necessary for CRNA school. Eileen