Heather R.N.

I just bought a pair of Dansko Shoes in the hopes of relieving some lower back discomfort that I am having at work. I have always worn walking/running shoes without any problems. I should also mention that I am in my first trimester of pregnancy. Does anyone have any opinions on this brand, they were really expensive and I would like some feedback before I cannot return them. Thanks !!

Lizzy, in the last couple of days my symptoms have really decreased, except for the tiredness and breast changes. I am so thankful that I am no longer nauseated . This whole pregnancy thing is so strange, I am not sure what to expect.

Thanks everyone for your advice, I will let you know what I find out after my sonogram on the 11th.

I am just finishing my chemistry & physics courses. The information offered was basic, and its application to anesthesia made it even easier to grasp. Your interests and dislikes sound like mine, and so far I have done very well. If you can do advanced biology, etc, you will be fine. Good Luck !!

I just found out that I am pregnant with my first baby. I am not really sure how far along that I am, my best guess is about 4 weeks. I will be having a sonogram on the 11th to determine how far along that my unexpected suprise is. Several of my family members, etc, think that I may be farther along because of the numerous symptoms that I am having. My belly is already starting to round out and my breasts are fairly full. I am having lots of nausea, heartburn and lower back discomfort. Does it sound like I am farther along than 4 weeks or are these typical early symptoms? Thanks for the advice.

Thanks everyone for your words of encouragement. My program director was very supportive. He reassured me that I am not the first and that it can be done, even though he would not recommend it. When the baby is born in April I will use my 10 days of vacation time for next year, that will give me 2 weeks with the weekends. Any time that I take after that will have to be made up. Hopefully, I will have a normal pregnancy and delivery so that I can bounce back quickly. My goal is to try not to take more than 3-4 weeks. Thanks again for your support and advice.

I am a brand new SRNA and just found out that I am expecting in April of next year. This was not planned, my husband and I were more than happy to wait until after I was out of school for about a year. Tomorrow I speak to the director of my program to work out the details. Does anyone have any opinions on this? Is it possible for me to realistically do both ? Is anyone in school with someone who is pregnant or who was pregnant. I am really feeling overwhelmed right now.

Good Luck on your upcoming GRE, I am sure that you will do great!

That is one of the funniest things that I have heard in a while. I can't wait to send it to everyone I know. I have a long way to go until retirement, but I will keep this plan in mind. Thanks for making me smile! :)

I have to agree with SRNA Kate, just take the test. Your practice scores are great and it has been my experience that scores on the actual test are always higher. As for why we have to take the GRE ? I think it is just one more way of showing them (admission panels, program faculty) that you want this, that you can be disciplined and that you are capable of learning complex stuff. Basically, that you can rise to the occasion. From my own experience with the admissions process what really counted was your clinical knowledge, drive and personality. As for this being your worst summer yet, I don't want to burst your bubble but it doesn't get much better. You are still going to be learning a lot of things as a SRNA, that will be tedious and seem pointless. So start disciplining yourself to take it one step at a time. Good Luck !

I too had a lot of questions like that. Five years later I look back and think how irrelevant that was. The questions should focus on things like, "You walk in the room and the patient is unresponsive and frothing at the mouth what do you do" ? I really don't think that the state boards do an adequate job of finding out who is safe to start practicing.

It has been 5 years since I took my boards in Ohio and from what I remember they did not ask a lot of detailed questions regarding diseases, etc. It came down to being able to read the question and decide what sounds the best. Basically, judgement type questions overall, not specifics. I didn't take any review coorifices. However, I did a lot of practice questions, mostly on my computer. I swear that this is the best method. It gets you in the mindset that the exam requires. You learn how to play the game. I know that everyone keeps telling you to relax and that probably seems impossible right now. I think that just doing practice questions and boosting your confidence is what you need. (Just remember that you are probably not going to be getting perfect scores, most average in the 60's) You can always go back to your review books to look things up as needed. Please don't let this set back get you down. Some of the most intelligent nurses that I ever met missed their boards on the first try. It is a really strange test with a lot of irrelevant questions. The most important things that you need to know as a new nurse are basic physiology, how to do vital signs, the ABC's and basic pharmacology. However, the most important thing that you should know is that when you start your first job you should be asking a million questions everyday, b/c in the big scheme of things you know very little when you graduate. Actually, a good nurse never stops asking questions. If you need any other advice or a pep talk just e-mail me. Good luck !!!!

I am looking for some suggestions for a good board review book, I am just starting my first year as a SRNA. Basically, I am looking for something that has practice questions that I can do while I am studying for exams. A senior student recommended Valley Anesthesia, but it is really expensive. I have a copy of Essentials of Nurse Anesthesia (McIntosh), but I am not that crazy about it. Thanks for any suggestions, Heather

Thanks everyone for your posts, all of your suggestions have been very helpful. I still have a couple of weeks left until the paper is due. I will let you know who I pick and how it turns out. Thanks Again!!!! :roll

Reminds me of a case when I was a student doing my psych rotation. We had a patient who was in for depression and expressed desire to commit suicide. Before he went home, it was understand that the family gun was to be removed from the home. The wife had assured all that was involved in her husband's care that she would or had removed (long time ago) the gun. Anyway within 2 days of discharge this guy committed suicide with that very gun. From what I understood: 1. the wife forgot to remove the gun from the home 2. this was her second husband to have committed suicide. Kinda of creepy isn't it? Anyway my thoughts and prayers go out to this poor man. What a mess!!!!

I also just forwarded it to everyone in my class. At first I laughed, then I sighed realizing how true it is.

Congratulations :rotfl: and best of luck to you!

I am working on paper for one of my core courses, specifically a nursing theory class . I need some help finding a nursing theorists whose theory can be applied to the practice of CRNA's. The concept that my group is focusing on is prevention of untoward events. Some examples of variables that fall into this category: unplanned extubation, tracheal trauma, excessive fluid/blood loss, improper line placement, improper extubation, and ineffective anesthesia to name a few. I have been scouring my textbooks but to no avail can I find a theorist that actually relates to this concept. I think it leans to close to the medical model. ANY SUGGESTIONS OFFERED WOULD BE HELPFUL AND APPRECIATED MORE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE, Thanks for any help, nursing theory is not my strong point.

That was very touching, thanks for the reminder about how lucky we all are and what we often see past.

I have shadowed a few times, but that still only gives me a limited perspecitive. I will check out the archives, thanks for the suggestion. However, what I am really interested in is finding out about malpractice insurance and how it works for CRNA's.

Now that I have been accepted to CRNA school, I am starting to wonder what life will be like after graduation? I have been so absorbed with getting accepted and completely my core courses that I really have not given it much thought. So I guess that I am seeking some advice from those who are currently practicing? One of my biggest concerns is how malpractice insurance works for CRNA's. I have also been wondering about what it is like in the OR in regards to relationships with the surgeons and other staff? So any advice, suggestions and encouragement would be appreciated. Thanks.......