trakstar

I am currently in the program. I had eleven on my interview panel. I agree a get to know you with typical expected interview questions. Make sure you know why you are getting into it and that you know what will be expected of you. Visit the school talk to the staff, if they "know" you it will eliminate cursory questions and allow them to get to the real questions. One last thing, thoughtful, creative and insightful answers count. Remember they ask the same questions to more than 40 other well qualified candidates. I am very happy with my choice for anesthesia school. Good luck

I can remember feeling somewhat similar. You will learn a lot very quickly and become very efficient. With out people to lean on or even to call for help you will become resourceful and a better nurse. I don't think that it is ideal or for that matter safe (a few times I can remember but was later reassured it was safe) but in a year or so you'll look back and realize how valuable for experience really is when your on your own making independent educated decisions practicing as a CRNA. YOU CAN DO IT!.

Technically you can transduce through a PICC line however the accuracy over time is questionable. Obtaining a consistent acceptable wave form with a,c and v waves is quiet difficult. You have a lot of extraneous variables that can effect this measurement over time (i.e. patient position, transducer position, position of PICC catheter tip. I work in a CCU/MICU. It is our policy that we can only report CVPs via PICCs to doc's but cannot record them ih\n the patients chart. the doc's are only allowed to treat a CVP via PICC when following the trends. If the trends warrant aggressive intervention the patient has just bought themselves a central line. I find it possible to obtain similar tracings. We do not rountinely transduce CVPs with regards to HD catheters enless emergently needed or just prior to HD due to the high incidence of clotting. Be cautious when ever measuring and evaluating CVPs.

Opinions on combitubes? Anyone had any experience with them? Like it or Dislike it? and versus a LMA. I'd love a nice stimulating discussion. Thanks

Nursing school and being a nurse are two different things. Remeber being comfortable as a new grad in the ICU will not come over night. They or quick remedy that may help your sitution is that you talk to your nurse manager and say how you feel about having inconsistent preceptors and request a more permanent preceptor. I remember that was an absolute requirement for my unit at which I trained. If you precepted it was not only a committment of the new grad but the preceptor as well. This ment no vacation and a regular schedule while precepting. You can do it. Don't give up

I tend to agree. Can it be moved to another form. Moderator?

I agree. During my interview I waited until asked about long term goals. I only offered what I felt was necessary, i.e long term goal of pursuing advanced practice degree. Long term goals and the ICU are on a need to know. Training an ICU nurse is very expensive. Many nurse managers do not want to be the stepping stone to CRNA school. They want the most bang for their buck, i.e. a nurses that will be long term. The ICU has it's own culture. I'm sure many of my SRNA collegues can agree. Some ICU nurse managers are supportative of higher education while others are not. Then there are the nurses managers that support you goals while the house ICU staff doe not. You just need to be careful, test the water. The last thing you want to do is hurt your chances of a job because you've offered to much info. Good luck, you can do it many of us have been in your position.

Congrats. I feel bad that you had such a roller coaster of a ride. Maybe you should ask for a tuition discount for mental anguish. Good luck in school.

We often use the BIS monitors in the ICU as an adjunct for patients who are vented, sedated and on a paralytic IV gtt (besides the train of four). They have been hit or miss for us with regards to reliability. In the end we treat the patient.

As life changes so does its priorities. Your dedication and committment to become a CRNA will be evident with your changes in acedemics. You can and will do it. Good Luck

Don't delay. a lot can happen in two years. I agree sooner in sooner out. Knowing some intern families and being a family man myself. You are not going to se your husband much while an intern. In 27 months he will transitioning to 3rd year resident and you can be providing for your family. either way I look at it you will be be in school at the same time between the two options. Either way congrats on your accomplishment. Many only have one option and you have two!! good luck

one page, double sided works quite well. It has the illusion of being on one page but contains twice as much info.

Try shadowing a CRNA before making any decisions. Don't just do it once do it multiple times so you can see what you are really getting into. Even sit in a a class at you local CRNA program. Information made my decision easier. My best advice is to research, research, research. My situation is a little similar to yours. I transferred from an NP to CRNA program. If you'd like more info IM me I'd be happy to share my situation.

Does anyone regularily use monoscopes? If so where did you get fitted for one or where did you purchase this monitoring equipment and how much should they cost? Opinions differ with regards to their usefulness among my CRNA circle of friends. When shadowing Crnas at a major level 1 trauma center in a variety of settings (i.e. same day surgical suite versus OB/Gyn surgical suite versus main OR) and in numerous cases (100+) I rarely saw them in use. Please enlighten me on this subject. Thanks

Could you clarify which recording mode you use for "clear recording" And how close does the recorder need to be? Digital recorders are such a large investment I'm just trying to maximize my research before making a purchase. Thanks for your help.

How does the voice quality differ between the two modes? Are you using the optional mic accessory? How close do you have to sit to get high quality recording? Any help would be appreciated for this purchase. Thanks

Samuel Merritt is a great school in a great location with lots of opportunities for clinical rotations. Kaiser's pharm teacher Dr. Nagelhout via video from so cal is a plus. One draw back is the high cost of Bay Area living. If you want more info on Samuel Merritt IM me.

I have read many threads with regards to digital voice recorders for recording lectures. Many have tried and recommend the Olympus DS 330 due to it's quality of recording, memory and ability to hook it up to the desktop PC via a USB cable. My question is has anyone had at experience with the fair new Sony digital voice recorders which also have a USB connection particularily the ICD P28 model. The sony has two recording settings has more overall recordable time in either setting, ability to attach a microphone and is cheaper. Any reviews of either in the real world would be great thanks. Also anyone have any experience using an optional microphone with either of these devices. Do they really improve overall voice quality? Lastly is it really feasible to record lectures, download them to my PC then burn them to CD and review them? The idea is nice but will I have the time to actually do this?

No only do I agree but I could not have said it better. Well Done.

Hoping you were going to reply to to my post in billing question thread.

Look at the GRE as an investment in the future. A decent score can only increase you chances of getting in. Even though there are schools that do not require the GRE, they may still be interested in whether or not you took it and how well you did. You can do it. I agree with previous posts just do a little prep and brush up on GRE test taking tips.

try www.studentdoctor.net not .com.

I am nervous as well. However remember the schools that have admitted you into their programs have done so because thet are confident that not only you can finish their program but that you will make an excellent CRNA who will one day represtative of product of their program. We all can and will do it. Be positive!!!

I used mostly Kapln books with Kaplan test prep. I think that test prep is not a waste. Everything you need to know is provided by kaplan. The more you prep to a certain extent the better you will do on the exam. I did not want to do poorly and look back and think why didn't I do more preparation. I prep'd mostly on my some of my days off for about 6 months. Some things on the exam you need to study well before the exam to give them time to sink in while other things will be second nature to you. I will be working two weekends a month or one day a week while going to school (to maintain health benefits my wife and I are expecting our 2nd child) You can do it. Good luck.

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I do agree and you mus understand that medicare changes are frequent and hard to understand. What was once true today might not be a month from now.