Athlein1

And this comes from the PRESIDENT of the American Society of Anesthesiologist Assistants Again, assertions that AAs and CRNAs function at the same level -absolutely misleading. And, what's with "anesthesia nurse"? If it sounds condescending in print,...

They let me fly the coop, too! I am officially done and looking forward to January exam/start dates. Words cannot express the elation and sense of accomplishment (and relief, honestly) you feel when you are done. At the same time, you know there is ...

this is a cross-posting from ogp - and a tragic example of why the airway is not the most important thing, it is the only thing! also, an interesting question brought up on ogp: why was a healthy young woman who appeared to be of normal body habitus...

CRNAs can do emergency trachs - not surgical, to be specific. But there is a nifty device that should be in every OR (or at least readily available) called an emergency crichothyrotomy kit. Here is a link that shows you what it looks like: http://www...

Really? If that is the case this early in your experience, then I would rethink the technique of LMA placement. LMAs are used in the difficult airway algorithm because - correctly placed - they are so reliable. One of the CRNAs who proctored me has ...

I would consider this option only if you have NO other choice. I have been a commuter for most of my CRNA program (we change sites every other month, and the nearest site is 45 minutes on a good day). I calculated my average commute time to be betwee...

Darien, To answer your question about PDAs - no, I am still not using one, even though I am in the homestretch with only a couple of months of school left. I have the time to learn to use it now, so I am definitely going to get a good one in the week...

The annual meeting has a review course that spans a couple of days as well. FYI - we are also hearing that the format is changing due to the issues with testing last year. I wonder if anyone knows if that is rumor or truth?

No.

Not trying to be incendiary here, as I come from a military background myself and would be in the military now if it weren't for a medical disqualification. But, I notice that you didn't mention the attrition rate. I just returned from the AANA meeti...

One correction: Anesthesia providers are always required for ECTs because a muscle relaxant and induction agent are used to prevent injury from tetanic muscle contraction and lower the seizure threshold. It is a general anesthestic, albeit a very sho...

Thanks for the guidance, Kevin. As always, we appreciate your input!

Look at M&M on the section that describes the laryngeal notch - p. 78-9. I worked with two excellent clinicians who showed me how to perform this technique, and I can tell you that it really works when correctly applied. The key is to use enough ...

I tried it once for a rapid intubation, though it was not a true RSI. Despite divided doses, patient flushed red as a beet within just a few seconds. BP in toilet, impressive tachycardia. Healthy adult, fortunately. Took quite a bit of neo to get it ...

It's three months to go for me, too. Are there any other graduating seniors who are starting to get a bit freaked out because there is so much more to know before graduation, and yet so little time? Every time I think I have this thing under control...

Wondering if anyone would be interested in a meet-and-greet to network and put faces to names. A mini cocktail party after the day's lectures, perhaps?

The "everything else" is the amount of work you have to put in, and the stuff you have to put up with, in order to get through a nurse anesthesia program. It is no cakewalk, and the math is the least of it. Read the FAQs at the top of the page, and t...

No, I don't get to spend much time with my family at all. None of us do - it's the price you pay. I have missed birthdays, weddings, and much fun stuff over the past three years. If you are not prepared to commit to an educational process that takes ...

Loisane, Thank you very much for your reply! It was much appreciated! Guess I will keep the soapbox around... Jess, Good to know that you did not take my post as a personal affront. Here's an interesting thing about your reply. . I think that you...

What does RN vs CRNA salaries have to do with CRNA and MD relations? For those of you who do not like to read my soapbox rants, stop here now. I think newbies entering this field would do well to remember that there was a time not long ago that anes...

Good stuff! Okay, let's give it a few more days to see if anyone else speaks up, then perhaps we can begin to plan something. Merriment before the "Party with a Purpose" event might be fun...

The only school on the West coast that can be considered inexpensive (relatively) is Kaiser. Like Gaspassah said, all other programs are affiliated with private universities/colleges, with correspondingly high tuition. You don't necessarily get what ...

Just curious! Because we don't have a pedi-specific rotation in my program, most of my class are not doing much (if any) peds under age 2. It's a bit worrisome since graduation is right around the corner. Apart from getting the CCNA minimums, which ...

Thanks for the replies. Very interesting! Students whose programs send them to pedi hospitals or give them dedicated blocks of pediatric time definitely are a step ahead of those who get minimal exposure. And FYI - I talked to two different prospect...

1. Yes 2. No