rshores95

I haven't posted in a while. I would say how well you answer questions in an interview(i.e. answering with accurate responses) is less important than the manner in which you answer them (i.e. do you get defensive, do you act like they are being unreasonable, etc). I know many people including myself that felt somewhat polverized in our interviews and still got in. Good luck!

Well, tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life. Starting classes at FIU for the class of Dec, 2006. I hope it goes well. Anybody else starting as well? Tell me after the first day what it was like and I'll do the same.

FIU Aug 2004

I believe that Flight nursing does not require so much experience anymore. I know a nurse that became a flight nurse after one year of ICU nursing (one year of nursing total). Also, I think that ICU nursing is a broad term. One year of Critical care ICU that requires frequent GTT titrations, etc. is worth more than one year in a small community hospital ICU that sends other hospitals their sick patients.

I got in with a 3.1 and a 1260 combined. I don't know how close I was to not making the cut, but I got in. One thing that is important is that if you do well on the GRE, you need to be able to explain why your GPA is low. High GRE scores and Low GPA translates into smart underachiever to some directors. I was able to show that my GPA was low secondary to low grades early in my college experience. I said that My GPA of my recent schooling is more reflective of my GRE scores. Good Luck!

Hey, me too! See you there!

I like Milrinone a lot. We rarely see problems with it (unless we have hypotension problems). It works well and does not increase myocardial oxygen demand.

Has anyone out there had a unit that uses the Debakey LVAD?

I think outcome depends largely on the reason for implantation. Senario 1-Pt has heart failure but is mostly stable with some inotropes. LVAD/BiVad placed BEFORE pt decompensates emergently for bridge to transplant. Outcome in this case is generally better. Senario 2-Pt has open heart surgery AVR/MVR/CABG or whatever. Pt is on pump and for some known or unknown reason, they have difficult time getting patient off the pump. IABP placed. Pt still cannot get off pump. LVAD placed. Pt can get off pump but the right side is not pumping well. RVAD placed. Send to unit with (dare I say it...ABIOMED Bivad for bridge to recovery). Total pump time greater than 5 hours. This patient is highly unlikely to recover but thanks to modern technology will bleed, bleed, bleed, and turn into the staypuffed marshmallow man before we finally withdraw(yes, a little inappropriate sarcasm there).

Interesting, I always thought, and I'm pretty sure I'm right on this, that you classify three types (or use the A,B system) Type I-Includes part of the ascending and descending aorta. This is the most severe type. Often these start at the Aortic root and go all the way down to past the mesenteric. Sometimes they include the carotids!. Type II-Ascending aorta only Type III-Descending aorta only Does anyone else have a different understanding?

Does anyone know how many interviews they're offering?

Yeah, I got my interview offer today as well. Does anyone know how many are invited for interviews? I know there are 40 slots available.

Is anyone else out there applying for the FIU program in Miami? I haven't heard from them yet for an interview. It would be reassuring if I'm not the only one. I know their deadline isn't until the end of the month so maybe they're waiting until then to send out any letters.