Da_Milk_of_Amnesia MSN

Da_Milk_of_Amnesia has 5 years experience as a MSN and specializes in Critical Care.

Da_Milk_of_Amnesia's Latest Activity

1. 

   GPA for CRNA

   Da_Milk_of_Amnesia replied to CICURNCHI's topic in SRNA

   I had 3.17 GPA- work at a Cardiac MedicalICU at one of the best hospitals in the country for nearly 2.5 years. Had all my certs, even some I didn't need, backed up with 10+ years of firefighting and EMS experience. My science grades were good except for chem which I retook before I applied to school. So yes you can get in, but you need other things in your resume to pick up for it.
2. 

   Anyone apply to St. Mary's CRNA 2019?

   Da_Milk_of_Amnesia replied to LifelongRN's topic in SRNA

   Go ask a student what school it says on their diploma. MSA students diplomas come from SMU, in case you didn't know. So it's really like applying to the same school if you think about it.
3. 

   Looking for options/opinions

   Da_Milk_of_Amnesia replied to Cardiac.smartiac's topic in CCU

   Well in cath lab, depending on where you work could be doing cardiac cath (obviously), maybe EP studied, abalations, Pacemaker or AICD implants, TEEs, Cardioversuons. You could have an emergency come from the ER, TAVRs, Watchman LAA closures etc. Both cath lab and interventional radiology are procedural areas so you'll be doing procedures all day. It just depends what kind of procedures you want to do. IR does a lot of lines, PICCs, Permacaths, LPs, angiograms, TIPs, perhaps there may even be Neuro IR where they Coil aneurysms, embolism AVMs or do carotid stenting. Ever place is different and it just depends on what you wanna do. I don't think you're lazy but just remember it's going to be hard work regardless of what area you choose.
4. 

   Looking for options/opinions

   Da_Milk_of_Amnesia replied to Cardiac.smartiac's topic in CCU

   Depends what cath lab you work in. Where I work our cath lab is super super busy, 99% of the time. You also have to take call, so does that sound like fun to you? If so then go for it. But based on what you've said it doesn't. Listen, nursing is a hard profession, my anesthesia group is super short staffed and it's hard on everyone so I understand you frustration but this is the unfortunate reality of medicine right now. The ICU wouldn't suit you any better to be honest, there you'll have super sick patients and still be most likely short. I mean we're all talking in hypotheticals here, without going there and asking people or seeing for yourself, you'll never have an idea of the culture there. So go ask around, investigate and see what works for you? Maybe even consider Interventional radiology? Idk, but good luck.
5. 

   How many hours you work or worked?

   Da_Milk_of_Amnesia replied to Gassadist's topic in CRNA

   I work in the Northeast and work 50-60 hrs a week. Cleared 250K last year.
6. 

   Saint Mary's University CRNA Program

   Da_Milk_of_Amnesia replied to TBLV4's topic in SRNA

   I think I've commented multiple times on this actually. Search a little bit and you'll find my feelings on SMU. I had a great time, a few hiccups along the way but all from my own doing, nothing but good things to say. I also love the twin cities, I'd go back in a heartbeat if I could.
7. 

   Cost Of School

   Da_Milk_of_Amnesia replied to doodlegirl2013's topic in SRNA

   Honestly- graduate first and live with your parents and stack money. I did just this and had nearly 100K before I went off to school. That saved me from having to take 100-150K in loans. Instead I had less than 60 and I'm more than halfway thru paying them off. So save your money, that's all there is to it. Sure there are places that will give you money, but remember if something goes on and you don't make it thru crna school or worse yet you start somewhere and it's a toxic environment and you don't like it- you are stuck there until your contract is up. Honestly, I wouldn't ever take money up front but that's just me. Good luck.
8. 

   Track to being a future CRNA?

   Da_Milk_of_Amnesia replied to rmariee's topic in SRNA

   I worked in a prestigious NYC hospital in an extremely busy CMICU. However, I had a great crew and colleagues that I worked with, which made the 3 am emergent bedside ECMO, not so bad. If you want to get into crna school then you'll do whatever it takes to get there, including working nights. Sure nights isn't the best, it's hard to have a normal life but it's a necessary evil to get to where you would like to be. If you think nights sucks wait until you're in school. When you get there you'll see it all in perspective and at that point, working nights isn't so bad. You need to get yourself into a high acuity adult ICU as someone suggested. NICU is ok and I've had NICU RNs with me in school but they struggled with the adult stuff. Cath Lab does not suffice for experience. On average you will be compteting with people who have 3-5 years ICU experience and if you think experience doesn't account for much, then you have another thing coming. Experience is everything, it's what provides us with out 6th sense and our ability to anticipate things may occur, or help us figure out what is going on. Anesthesia isn't about pushing drugs, sitting on your ass and watching a monitor- it is much much more. It sounds like you have a lot to learn and figure out and if your being picky with things now, I don't think you'll survive very long in anesthesia school. so if you wanna know where to do here's my thoughts. Get out of where you are, get into a cardiac ICU as I think you get the best experience there. Work whatever shift they give you and be a sponge. During your time there start to take your classes that you need to apply.
9. 

   Current or Past St Mary's of MN Students

   Da_Milk_of_Amnesia replied to traumanurseicu's topic in SRNA

   I'll send you my email.
10. 

    Current or Past St Mary's of MN Students

    Da_Milk_of_Amnesia replied to traumanurseicu's topic in SRNA

    PM me. We can talk. Had a good experience there.
11. 

    Traveling for clinical rotations

    Da_Milk_of_Amnesia replied to icuCCRNurse's topic in SRNA

    I didn't own a home when I moved to MN for anesthesia school. Me and my fiancé rented but I had also saved up quite the sum of money and she worked to help with bills rents etc. The furthest I traveled was 4 hrs away. If the clinical site was more than 60 miles away from campus we usually had housing- if not we usually commuted. Sometimes there are people within the hospital/anesthesia group who know of people who allow people to stay with them. I found one of these spots when I was in southern MN. It was a family friend of a prior student. I think I went to a total of 6 different clinical sites during my rotations. Live where you wanna live it doesn't much matter.
12. 

    Anyone applied to St Mary's

    Da_Milk_of_Amnesia replied to cardiacrrt's topic in SRNA

    I remember waiting until July back in 2013. Nerve racking to say the least. Wish you all the best of luck.
13. 

    Saint Mary's University of Minnesota CRNA Program

    Da_Milk_of_Amnesia replied to GaMommy81's topic in SRNA

    I'll pm you my email.
14. 

    Saint Mary's University of Minnesota CRNA Program

    Da_Milk_of_Amnesia replied to GaMommy81's topic in SRNA

    I'll pm you my email .
15. 

    SRNA Switching Schools

    Da_Milk_of_Amnesia replied to lemonstolemonade's topic in SRNA

    I'm sorry your engagement ended and I get that it sucks. But I'm a current Crna and I'll tel you the truth about what you're about to do, if you haven't already. Going to once school and then transferring is typically not done, and is usually extremely difficult. Chances are if you give up this spot you will never get accepted back into school should you change your mind at some point. And most schools won't accept you as a transfer. In my opinion, I think you should stay with your original plan and go to school as you intended. I moved half way across the country on a whim with nothing more than what I could pack in my car. It turned out to be the best decision ever. Do it, take a chance and go for it. You'll look back on it and hate yourself if you give up this opportunity. I had someone in my class who dropped after 3 days. It stole a spot from someone who wanted to be there, that was selfish. Good luck.
16. 

    Saint Mary's University of Minnesota CRNA Program

    Da_Milk_of_Amnesia replied to GaMommy81's topic in SRNA

    MSA actually gets their degree from Saint Mary's. So even though you may go there, your degree will says Saint Mary's on it. Just an FYI.