crna29

Hey what about those of us that were born on February 29th? I don't have a tree!

jhawk07, Please allow me to apologize for something you took as an affront. I did not intend to jump all over you regarding your questions, but you didn't ASK a question you made a statement regarding PA's and nurses. You received a reply regarding Navy nursing and because I do both I might have a few more answers. Civilian nursing generally tends to pay better. Also while employed often your employer will pay for you to continue your education. In the Navy, the needs of the Navy come first and if the Navy needs you to work in a particular area that you may not like they may not allow you to transfer or to continue your education (on their dime) in an area of your choice. Just some things to keep in mind. Benefits are usually better in the Navy (medical and dental) although they can be quite good in the civilian sector. In addition, please keep in mind that we are at war and IF you sign on the dotted line with any military organization you then become theirs to do with as they wish meaning you could be deployed at any time. I still wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose. :)

What I can tell you about the current recall activity is that the medical coverage AT THIS TIME is primarily an Army show, meaning that the Army is providing most of the medical coverage. Right now the Navy does not have what they call a Presidential Recall whereby you can be activated involuntarily. As the LT Col stated right now everything is voluntary, as least in the Navy. Can that change? Absolutely. But when I signed on the dotted line I knew that I ran the risk of being recalled to active duty at anytime thus planned accordingly. Some memories (meaning don't quote me) but I believe the eligibilty regarding age terminates at 35 for the Navy. In addition, at one time the Navy had a $30,000 sign on bonus (or $10,000 per year for 3 years)for current CRNA's. I am not sure if they still do. CRNA's are considered a critical billet so I know that they continue to have the stipend program that I referred to in an earlier post for SRNA's. Regarding reservists that drill without pay, I believe you are referring to members of the VTU or voluntary training unit. They are likely drilling to get a satisfactory year, point wise, to reach retirement. As one rises in rank the pyramid of jobs gets smaller so that there may be many CDRS for few CDR level jobs. A CDR can have 18 years in and need another 2 years for retirement but can't find a hard billet to get them. Thus they go into the VTU, do the drilling, gain the points for a satisfactory year and therefore reach retirement and get their pension after 20 years. Less likely in a critical billet such as CRNA's but known to happen in the rest of the Nurse Corp. Again - I suggest that you get as much information as you can from each recruiter (and if it isn't written down it doesn't happen!), weigh the options and choose the right branch for you. If you are concerned about getting recalled quickly then AT THIS TIME, avoid the Army. Hope this helps and if I get some of the facts wrong I apologize in advance. :chuckle

I, too, am in the reserves - LCDR in the Navy. I primarily joined to assist with school expenses utilizing the stipend program that alloted me $1000/month while I was in school. I have completed my payback period (2 years of time for every year of money received). I continue in the reserves because as the LT Col said I get to work with highly skilled, highly motivated people. It is an honor to serve my country and provide anesthesia services to others that are giving of their time as well. If you have an interest contact a local recruiter for EACH of the branches of service and find the program that best suits your needs now and those of the future. :)

Vinnysca I am so sorry that you received that type of treatment. There is a way to teach without belittling the student. Some of my best instructors were the ones that took the time to get to know me, taught me, tested me and then applauded me when I learned the material. Hopefully as you progress through your education and career you will remember the treatment you received and NEVER pass it along. Kudos to you for remaining professional and good luck with school. It does get easier! :chuckle

The scope/morphine pre-op is from back when. We used to use that routinely until we went the way of early extubation. Our folks receive nothing prior to hitting the OR. Once they are through the doors we are generous with our Versed and use that in combination with Fentanyl and Pavulon for the procedure leaving the OR with a Propofol drip hanging for sedation until they can be extubated within 4 hours. Or at least that is the goal. If we have an extremely anxious patient we may give them a little Ativan for a premed. But that's rare. Of course we decrease our dosages if we are doing the case off pump to allow for even early extubation.

Judgment comes from experience, good judgment comes from both good and bad experiences. IMO it might behoove you to get a little experience in a more controlled arena before flying solo. "A phone call away" can be an eternity when things are spiraling out of control. Maybe 6 months or a year in a setting with immediate backup until you gain some confidence prior to leaving the nest. Whatever you choose - best of luck, your program has taught you safety first so you'll do fine - it's the feeling fine you're lookign for! :chuckle

Sandman2b How much ICU experience do you have? PACU experience as well as the ICU experience that you have may indeed be enough to apply to anesthesia school. Read the schools prereqs and also give them a call. As a suggestion, if you are concerned, get a perdiem job in an ICU somewhere so that you are actively in the ICU when you interview. Good luck - sounds as if you have great experience. :)

Our current "cocktail" for open heart induction includes Versed (5-10 mg), Fentanyl (20cc) and Pavulon (10mg) all up front on induction. We then maintain anesthesia using Isoforane both on and off CPB. Just prior to cannulation we give another small dose of Pavulon (4mg) and upon rewarming we often give another 5 mg of Versed. As we are leaving the OR we start a Propofol gtt at 25-50 mcg/kg/min to maintain sedation in the ICU until weaning can be begun. This "cocktail" varies for patient size (extremes in either direction) or with a sicker heart where we might add a little Etomidate. In line, during induction, we do have a syringe of Neosynephrine that is 100mcg/cc for treatment of hypotension as well as fluid rescucitation. We do try to do a slow induction to preserve the current function of the heart. Hope this helps. :)

In addition to CRNA DNSc's reply CT anesthesia is based upon the patients stability at the time of induction. Is there a need to preserve forward flow in a patient with valvular disease? Does the patient have a very poor ejection fraction? These are the types of things that determine what anesthetics a CT patient receives. You might look at it from the angle of which types of anesthetics preserve cardiac function the most versus those that cause severe hypotension or things of that nature. Good luck.

Absolutely enjoy your life because it will be unrecognizable later. You will have plenty of time to study because study time is also built into your schedule along with all that you do on your own time. Now is the time to relax, celebrate your admittance and plan your future including financially. Congrats on your acceptance

HM's rock! I am in the USNR-NC as an LT and supervise the HM's. They know their stuff and I would count on them anyday. Those of you that served as HM's thank you! Navynurse29 - please stay in the RN program!!! You'll be closer should you want to pursue your BSN or advanced nursing degree's. It is really worth it. Remember the paperwork is only temporary, your degree is forever.

Yoga, Congrats your anniversary. You are an inspiration to so many of us. May I get 44 years under my belt. Not likely because I started practicing at an older age but what a goal! Thank you for all your contributions to our specialty. crna29

I'm a Naz grad and I can tell you that they have a great program. Any program that you attend is going to do what is necessary to prepare you to give safe anesthesia and pass the boards. When I went to Naz it only accepted 10 students at a time so you got very close with your classmates. It is challenging and demanding but the forum at Nazareth is family oriented - you are now part of the Naz family and they will take care of you. The clinical sites are all great sites (some I also rotated to or have worked at) and the instructors are there to help you learn and to guide you through the process. The program combines the didactic and clinical portions fairly early, so you put into practice what you are learning. I took all of my classes at St Joe's in the year before I started the program. If you can get any classes under your belt before you start the better off you will be. If I can answer any specific questions please let me know.

I was an alternate for the year that I was trying to get in but my program automatically guarenteed a seat for the next year to previous years alternates. Does the program to which you are applying do that? Might want to check. Good luck!