JennyMacRN2B

I did... from what I understand letters for interviews will not be going out until october. unless you are applying for the Mississippi component of the program. Good Luck to all!

I applied in September, but did not graduate until December. I had 1 1/2 experience in Neuro at a Level I trauma center, ACLS was the only certification I had and I hadn't shadowed in quite some time. I got an interview, (which many did not get) however did not get in. I only applied for one school. This year, I am going to: Shadow Try for a CCRN Get PAL certified, get liscenced in the states required for the program Take graduate lever courses I think it truly depends on the competition. I wasn't as competitive as I could have been. I'll get em next year! Jen

So was your interview as horrible as mine was? I got grilled on clinical questions, which I am pretty sure I nailed. The other interview questions were pretty difficult considering I was so nervous. What is worse is I was the first friggin' person. I didn't even get to talk to the senior students. I feel you on the alcoholic beverage, I enjoyed a beer or two afterwards. :cheers: Was UAB a lot more laid back? I am thinking about applying next year there if I don't get in this year to UTC. I only applied to UTC cuz I live/work in Chattanooga, and it works for me this year. Good Luck to you! Keep in touch and let me know if you get in! Jen

IAMLD, I will find out in about four weeks. It's not the end of the world if I do not get in. This was my first interview (only place I applied, and first time I ever applied), and I was the first interview for that session in front of the panel of 8 people. Good Luck to you! I will be in contact, Jenny:penguin:

Had my interview today, not real confident about it but o'well there's always next year. I was a nervous bumbling idiot. Here are somethings they asked me. Why do I want to be a CRNA? Have I shadowed a CRNA? What do you think a CRNA does? What is the ultimate goal of a CRNA as far as patient care goes? What qualities would make you a successful CRNA? Tell me about a patient that you have taken care of recently. I was grilled on clinical questions by the anesthiologist, one right after another for what seemed like forever. What would you do to make yourself a more attractive candidate next year (I met the minimal requirements). Hope this helps you, of course every program is different, but if you are prepared for all questions then you will be more comfortable. Good Luck, Jenny

Endorphin Hey, I have an interview tommorrow too at 1300 (at erlanger), and I am really sick to my stomach about it. I hope I don't freeze up or have a panic attack. I have been told that I am the first interview of that session (which has 12 total), which does not help ease my nerves. It is a panel type, did you not get the e-mail? The director, Linda Hill seems really nice and laid back. I have been studying everything, and trying to stay calm. I have asked a few SRNAs about interviews, however they have had different directors over the last few years, and the interview may be different. Here are the tips I have received: 1) know your PA catheters 2) assess , reassess and reassess 3) oxyhemoglobin dissocciation curve 4) if you could monitor only one aspect of your patient what would it be? Hey what time is your interview... any little scrap of advice would be greatly appreciated. Jennifer;)

I applied at UTC, because of its location to where I live, if I don't get it next year I will probably apply to MTSA, UAB and UTC. Jenny:nurse:

Kann, I have been a nurse for 1 1/2 years. I worked in the neuro unit for 2 1/2 years, as a nurse tech with a preceptor and then as a nurse. My nurse manager did give me a letter of recommendation kind of, The school in which I applied at had a form to fill in with rating my skills from 1-5. She was the only person I had to complete such a form, but according to my yearly evaluation I am doing a good job, just not good enough to be charge nurse. I certainly do plan on going to the interview, however school will not start until May and I have to think about the best outcome if I do not get in. Thanks for your advice! Jennifer

I need some input on my next career move. Let me first say that I have an interview in November to a CRNA program. If I don't get in this year, (which I may not because I minimally meet all the requirements, I figure what's the worst they could tell me is no), I will apply next year. I work in a Neuro unit in a level one trauma center. We get a few traumas, but mostly neuro cases. I do see drips (dopamine and neo), a lot of experience with injectate swans. I am looking for a change though. Here are my options. 1) I can stay put, and get charge experience. My supervisor is my largest advesary (she thinks I am a smart ass) and advanced a newer nurse to charge over me. It was all politically charged, and several nurses complained to her about her choice. Now that one of her charge nurses is leaving, she needs someone to be in charge and she asked me last night. I agreed although I would like to tell her to shove it up her hoo-hah. I think it would be a good opportunity, and my co-workers are like family now. 2) I have an interview at a different hospital in a CCU. They have great insurance, but I really don't want to work in CCU. They do occasionally see IABP's and CRRT. It would be a nice change. Cardiac is not my strong point, and this job would help me bone up. 3) Currently there is an opening in the TICU at my hospital. I think this work would be so interesting and a good experience to boot. I am really torn, my ultimate goal is CRNA but I need to find the best possible way to acheive that goal. Thanks for an advice in advance JennyMac

TCD's are transcranial dopplers, they use them to measure the velocity of the blood flowing through the circle of willis vessels in order to detect vasospasm HHH therapy is hemodilution, hypertension and hemodynamics (I think that last one is right). It is used with a SAH to keep blood volumes up and pumping through those vessels that might close off due to vasospasm, causing a lack of blood flow o the brain.

I think TCD's are good tool to evaluate vasospasm. Besides doing an arteriogram and neuro changes, it is truly the only tool we have. If the velocities have increased from the baseline, then it is indication that the vessels are getting smaller. Of course I am not a neurosurgeon, but that only makes sense. Luckily in my unit we have a vasospasm protocol that all the docs follow with a SAH. For instance, your patient in our unit would be on neo or dopamine with parameters SBP 160-180 (secured aneurysm). Of course after a few days with no neuro changes these can be relaxed. Of course it does take a few days for vasospasm to occur. I would worry if I had a patient with a SAH that was not having a bad headache. I think its just the nature of the beast. Of the neurosurgeons, he was just being a jerk, but with that too, I think is just the nature of the beast.

My previous answer was so brief, maybe even a little inappropriate. Neuro breath is not the worse part of working in the neuro unit. Seeing a patient who is responsive go into vasospasm become unresponsive (and never return to normal) ranks up there as some of the worse. Never knowing what to tell families when they ask "how long before they wake up?" There is no exact science in the neuro unit, sometimes you just never know. Some people are never fazed by a bleed or trauma, while others are never the same. Seeing a 94 year old woman live thru a good sized bleed because she has brain atrophy and room to swell, while a 42 year old is in a coma because he has the same size/type bleed, but no room to go is just ironic. There are good parts to neuro though, I love most of the families, and the bond I have between some patients. It's seeing a good outcome in a bad situation. It also is very humbling. I thought I knew how precious life was, but I didn't. I know that at any moment my life can change, and I could die. I hug my kid a little bit harder and make sure everyone knows that I love them. I also make sure everyone's blood pressure is in check, and they take care of themselves. I have only worked in the unit since June, but I have learned a ton. I plan on working there for a while, and I sure that I will never stop learning.

first of all I am really so sorry to hear about your sister. I am not so sure what causes the smell of neuro breath, but it is distinct. They say every floor of the hospital has different distinct smells from oncology to OB. I wish I had an answer for you. Jenny

nothing worse than good ol' neuro breath.

the NICU I am interviewing for is Neuro ICU; I don't think I could work with little babies w/o constantly being depressed. The school I want to attend just says they want ICU experience, and the broader the better. Thanks all of you and Have a great day