rnbeauty

I agree with Somei, I have been a nurse for 10 years with expereince ranging from Med-surg to critical care, and still find many things difficult in clincals. My class expereince ranges from 2 yr- 25 yrs. ( the average is about 4-7 yrs). I agree, the 1st yr in ICU...what have you learned? Your just getting your feet wet, learning time management skills, understanding the vent, learning pressors, ect... After one yr ( total nursing), i dont understand how one feels strong enough to start anesthesia school. I too have seen so many students struggle clinically with the basics ( medications, concepts that an experienced nurse should be familiar with, and simply inserting IVs). I think its does them a disservice rushing into school after one yr..Im not saying it cant be done successfully...but whats the rush. Learn a little more on the units, take sick patients, pick the brains of the seasoned nurses. One of my friends in my class worked PEDS ICU for 1 yr ( total time as a nurse -4 yrs)...she is struggling so much in clinicals, she doesnt know alot of meds used for adults, the school sent her to IV thearpy workshop because she was getting substandard evaluations on IV insertions,). Again, many people have successfully completed school and did well. Yes, the school teaches you everything you need to know....but truly...a little longer than a yr will only HELP you and your patients! my two cents:

Be sure to inform them about the inportance of maintaining good grades, especially science, while still young. So often, teenagers are not as focused that early and allow their grades to sink in the water; then 10 yrs later when applying to CRNA school, find themselves explaining the low grades. This was my problem as well as many others I have spoken with/read about on this site. Good Luck

Hello I was not that great in Chemistry in HS or undergrad, however I took the opportunity to tackle my weakness when I decided to attend CRNA school. Before applying to school, I took a Biochem and organic chem class ALONE...with no other classes so that I could focus only on chemistry. Also, because I know what my weaknesses are, I chose a Masters in Nursing program ( less sciences required) instead of a Master's in Science ( more sciences required). Good Luck

INFIDEL...that is true however, you will not be consisitently cleaning poop...in fact it is quite rare. In contrast, an ICU nurse can almost be certain when he/she go to work they will be cleaning poop. I have yet to see a CRNA cleaning poop at my clinical facility, in fact, I dont even know where the bedpans are at my clinical facility. I AM NOT SAYING that it does not happen, I am just saying I haven't seen it yet and its rare.

Hello candygirl I am an AA SRNA in the Philly area and I have not had any problems thus far. There are about four minorities in my class of 21.....and I dont think the have any issues either. Our class is pretty cordial...I would not say close...but we all eat and chat togehter. Everyone have there own click that they study with..but that's everywhere you go, however we all typically try to help everyone out though. As far as thick skin...yes you certainly need thick skin to survive because you cant cry or take personal every little thing that someone say wrong or out the way to you. Also, dont listen to what other people say...find out yourself.....if you want it....go get it. Prepare yourself and just do it. Good Luck

Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!! WOW....he can't be serious:nono:

I dont understand why you think you will have issues becoming a CRNA if you didnt enjoy any aspects of ICU. I personally hated working the ICU...I didn't find anything appealing about it what so ever. THE poop, the annoying families at time, all the phone calls from everyone while trying to give pt care, the baths, the turning heavy sedated patients.....what's exciting about that? The one and ONLY thing I did enjoy was daily rounds with the doctors...learning about what was going on with the patient and the disease processes; ..everything else i did not like. i worked Shock Trauma, SICU, CVICU, and MICU....and I never would do flips and sing songs to come to work. ICU is not for everyone...I have been a nurse ten yrs...I figured maybe I was just burned out? Although I just started my clinical rotations and it is still very early and things can certainly change... but right now I love evrything about anesthesia that I have learn thus far. Maybe because its such a change and im learnng all new material? ....Who knows. ...I honestly find it interesting. In adition, I love taking care of one patient and it is extremly challenging. I think this will keep me happy for many yrs to come. But I disagree, i dont think it is a MUST to enjoy ICU to be successful as a CRNA. The two are different in many ways. That's just like saying one must enjoy playing the piano to be a successful opera singer. My preceptor (CRNA) only worked ICU ONE Yr and then applied because he hated ICU so much. MY two cents...

Good advice from the previous posters. I always arrive on time. I dont hang around between cases..Im always looking to help other CRNAs...maybe place their IV's, as if I can do their inductions, or turn theri room over for them. Regardless how your day was the day before, come back with a smile and eager to learn. I just continue to mark down on the calender and pray! Oh,..one more thing...get used to being a bobble head. "yes", "sure", "that sounds great", 'no problem".

I have the same issues with charting. seems I am always messing up the CRNA nice neat chart. So what i did was take an entire anestheisa packet home and studied thoroughly. It made me more comfortable as to what goes where, ect. Now after a month into clinicals I have gotten a little better. Im not as anxious about the entire charting process. I also think it depends on who you are with. Some CRNA's can be so mean for absolutley no reason and it make you more nervous, which causes more mistakes and anxiety. Granted, i understand we are learning and it's imperative for us to learn this important material however, it's no reason to treat people like they're crap. I personally think when CRNA's do that it is because they had it tough in school and someone treated them that way or they are just unhappy people and having a rough personal life.

Hi My day s a SRNA starts like this. Sunday night I go to the hospital and make a copy of the OR schedule. Go home research the cases and prepare a care plan. A care plan is basically what it sounds like....Choosing the anesthestic plan for your patients with rationales and treatments for any potential complications. As one previous poster stated about oral boards and getting to the hospital at 4am.....it's no way we do all of that. 0515am- alarm goes off, hit snooze once, than in the shower 0550- out the door and walking across the street to get to hospital. ( I am lucky to be at a facilty that offers free housing, gym and meals, therefore I can get to clinical literally in a ten step walk) 0555- changing into scrubs 0600-to pyxis to obtain narc boxes for my cases for the day 0605-room set up ( draw my meds, check machine, prepare monitors, stock my IVF, ect) 0640- as you can see i am slow with my preparation, it still takes me about 30-35min ( just started my first set of clinicals last month) 0645- discussing with my crna and anesthesilogist my plans for the day. some and most days are awesome but some a very grueling...depending on your doc. Some will grill you on everything but most are very laid back and cool. Many are easy to learn from and actaully love teaching. 0715- start interviewing patients, revewing chart and start my day. My day is usually over about 3pm 1530- relax and wait for OPRAH TO COME ON AT 4PM:banghead:I have to relax a little or I WILL GO NUTS 1700PM- TAKE NAP 1800-prepare for the next day of cases until about 9pm...depending on the cases. 2200- study until 2300pm 12 midnite - go to sleep on weekends i study ALL day with about 3-4 breaks in between. I may get on line, go running, talk on phone...but i get away from the books for a while. Usally about 10-12 hours of studying on weekends. Days that I have no clinicals but class the following day, I study about 2-3 hrs. I never go a day without studying something......I lied. Sometimes I do, usually after a big exam I will take that day off from studying and relax. Hope that helps.

I just started my program and the oldest person in my class is 48. I just turned 37 last month...who cares...its just a number. People have kids and buy houses at any age nowadays. Besides 32 is young! and dont focus on what others are doing..... If you want something bad enough...nothing else really matters...just do it. Life is gonna pass by anyway regardless if you decide to go to school or not go.

I started my program jan 3...first test this friday than one the following friday. The amount of information required is unreal......I mean I know people told me a head of time how it will be but literally...all i do is study. All day long with breaks of course. I have no time to do nothing else because I will certainly fall behind. It'll be all worth it in the end. THis was what I wanted......gotta go study!

yes, i only have three classes in jan, unlike my classmate that will have four. who do you have for research? I still need to take biostats....

Going to Drexel in Philly!