Brandon2712

I have enjoyed reading the posts on the topic thus far. I would like to ask some of you AF RN's with knowledge a few questions. I will be finishing my BSN in May 2011 hopefully, although im not an RN or LVN, I am a Tech. My goal is to one day become a CRNA. I also want to serve my country. 1) Can someone explain the training process for ICU in the Air Force? As I said, I havent graduated yet and dont have any nursing experience. My gpa is 3.7 and I'll graduate from the honors college at my university. 2) Does anyone think that CRNA school acceptance boards will look down upon an Air Force ICU RN for admission, and possibly select someone who has civilian level-I trauma/ ICU experience over them (assuming gpa's are similar)? 3) I have read that the minimum time committment is 3 years and the GI Bill will still apply to this? Thank you in advance for your help and thank you very much for what you do!! Brandon

Im just curious as to why there are even roman numerals on the test? I got a 96% on the math and missed both the roman numeral questions asked. Does anyone have any idea why roman numerals are relevant?

For those of you in the DFW area, I'm a PCT at Medical Center-Lewisville and we are in need of techs for both day and night shift. Apply through the website!

Ive talked to people who went through the program and they said you dedicate about 65 hours per week to class/clinicals/studying. Good luck to those of you who know what you're getting yourself into!!

I'll take a copy of them too if you don't mind. Please send me a pm.

Just realize that most of your knowledge will come from on-the-job experiences. I wouldnt expect much from a CNA school, even though I went to one. The book is almost useless compared to the actual "hands-on" activites. Good Luck!

You're right, It'sTheDude.

I work in a step-down CCU, which we call PCU and to me it is alot easier than working on the other units. Yes we do vitals Q2 compared to Q4, but you just walk in the room and press a button and it displays them on the monitor. (Dont have to drag the dinamap around to 25 different rooms and put the cuff/pulse-ox on everyone, move tables, write vitals on board, etc.) The worst part of it is the baths, but there is alot of down time to study or do whatever. We do alot of glucose checks though, far more than any other unit. Out of 7 units in the hospital, PCU is known to be the easiest. You should enjoy it!

If youre going to be working at a hospital, it is really bad at first being a floater. Every unit is different in almost every way imaginable. I would prefer to orient with someone at least once of each unit. After you see how each unit does things, memorize all the codes to every supply, linen, and break room, then it is actually a great thing to be in the float pool because of alot of the reasons mentioned above.

I would have asked the daughter, "so I am just supposed to stand here?" Thats rediculous!

With me being a male PCT-II, I would say that it would be easier to get hired as a male. Men are usually able to lift the patients better, and are usually (not always) more efficient than female techs. Also with the nursing staff being 80-90% female, im sure they would like to have some guys around!!

Hello everyone, my name is Brandon and I've been a PCT-II for about 6 months now at a medium sized hospital in the Dallas area. It is starting to get on my nerves how the RN's have this bad attitude towards the techs. They dont even really know us by our name, but call us "the tech". If I am talking to someone they will jut come up and interrupt me. They will also call me to help them pull up a patient in the room, but have me wait while they do a dressing change for 10 minutes before we pull them up!! I feel like I have been doing a very good job and I am in my second year of nursing school. I am a big help to the nurses and the patients seem to always like me. I have thought about bringing this "stereotype" to the Director of Nursing's attention, but I feel like it will do little good. I know there are some bad techs who may have spoiled it for all of us that work at this hospital. I am thankful for the skills that I have learned because I know they will be a huge help when I am an RN. At our hospital, the color of our scrubs are color coordinated. Who do I go to with this problem, or is this something I just need to get over? Do I just need to put my foot down and let them know that I will not be disrespected? Does anyone else feel the same way? Thanks