OrigamiAirplane

The Nuvaring did not work for me at all. I hated it! I was on it for approx. 2 weeks and had about every side effect you could think of despite blood clots. For one thing I bled the whole time I was on it. I was extremely fatigued, had wierd emotional changes and couldn't go by the donut case without my mouth watering. If I stayed on it I'd probably be 20lbs heavier. Not to mention my libido disappeared. I thought, well what is the point? Prior to starting the ring my husband and I used condoms. We are back to that method and I am soooooo thankful!

Thanks to all who responded! Medic14: Thank you for your thoughtful input but I am highly put off by your response implying laziness on my part and letting this board "do the work for me." Trust me honey no way and no how did I get where I am today by letting others "do the work for me." Please be a little more thoughtful in your responses as we are all here to support, not to ridicule.

Hi there, wow I haven't posted here in a long, long time. As of now my chemistry base consists of the nursing chemistry I needed to get into nursing school. I am considering taking regular chemisty 1 so I will have a better foundation and be able to understand the o-chem material in CRNA school. Last summer I tried taking O-chem and was totally lost on the first day/ that was review day. I had to drop. Do you all think it's neccesary to go back to square one with this didatic or trust in a program. I see on this board a lot that "CRNA programs will teach you what you need to know." What sort of foundation did you or do you have?

Thanks for your understanding TennRN2004. I am no longer at the job I described above. The last straw was when my manager coaxed me into working two 12 hr day shifts right after two 12 hr night shifts, one day in between to sleep. I reluctantly said "yes, I guess I'll try it" even though we are suppose to have at least two days off in between flipping nights and days. This type of situation sealed the sense of I'm just a warm body, here to fill gaps. The morning of the first 12hr day I woke up feeling like crap because I didn't sleep good (probably because I slept all day.) I didn't want to go in not only because I felt like a zombie but I knew it wasn't safe. I talked to the charge nurse later on that day and told her the situation and that I wouldn't be coming back. She said she understood, she also added she hated the job too and hopefully nurse anesthesia was her ticket out. The nurse manager is on vacation, I don't know if it would be appropriate to call her at home or not. I feel bad leaving the way I did, it was a bit unprofessional. In a big way I feel as though I failed or maybe I could have toughed it out. I do feel a sense of relief though and I'm looking forward to not being so miserable. There are other hospitals in the area, quite a few actually. The one I was working at was the only level one trauma center though.

So I made it through orientation, yeah for me! After posting this thread I went to shadow two different CRNAs. My perspective changed and I had a more positive outlook when I went to work. I'm now almost two weeks out of orientation, still very green and I'm feeling the strain again, questioning "is this right?" The other night I had two very sick patients (I'm suppose to be taking stable pairs only.) I went home crying and vowing to quit. I was back the next night. While talking to some of the experienced night shift nurses I realized the unit is in an unusual state of chaos. We are expanding from a 12 bed unit to an 18 bed unit. The one unit is split into two seperate units now (across the hall from each other.) Half of the staff now is supplemental and travelers. The buddy system that was once implemented for those coming out of orientation was nixed because the staff can't support it. I was told the experienced staff is strained too because they are being "spread thin." We have so many new bodies on the unit the experienced nurses have to help. I was told that I wasn't the only one that goes home and cries and to hang in there. It was suggested I find a mentor- um, easier said than done. I have a sick feeling that this unit probably isn't the best place for a new grad, not to mention I'm flipping between nights and days every week I feel like I have no life (my family, friends and dogs miss me). Should I suck it up, do I just sound like a whiner? I feel like I can do the job, but I hate it. I'm physically, emotionally and psychologically drained. Is it worth it? Is this just how nursing is?

I have a 3.33 GPA, I just started in a level one medicine ICU and will have one year of experience when I apply (two years by the time I start a program/ if I get in.) I'm planning on taking chem, o-chem, advanced physiology and of course ACLS/PALS.Still have to take the GRE too. Even though I wasn't an honors student and those classes won't change my GPA considerably I'm still going to apply. You never know what they are looking for and what's the harm in trying right?

Anyone know of a program that offers a PhD at the time of completion? Hey, why stop at a masters right? I'm in the midst of looking at different schools and programs. Anyone?

I just started in the MRICU at the hospital I had clinicals in. I got the job and passed my boards. It feels good to check those off of a long list of things to do in preparation for CRNA school. I was so excited when I started, the enthusiasm has faded fast. Now I'm feeling nothing but overwhelmed, exhausted and disgruntled. The mandatory 40hr weeks and rotating 12 hour shifts are grueling. So far I've been with 6 different preceptors. When I do have time off all I can think about is quitting, leaving nursing all together. I told myself I would at least stick it out for a year. Did any of the SRNAs or CRNAs on the board feel this way when they started in the ICU? What was your experience? I don't want to have a negative attitude but its been hard for me not to.

I'm with skipaway, have you applied for an ICU position? I just graduated and I'm starting in the medical respiratory ICU middle of July! I was never a care parnter or a nursing assistant in an ICU. I did however complete my Adult II clinical in the ICU I'll be working in.

So now that I've figured out how this forum is biased/see previous thread started by moi (please do not take offense to this, it's not meant to be negative in any way, shape or form.) To those who have successfully been accepted to a CRNA program with only one year of ICU experience please tell me all of your dirty little secrets. What was your GPA and what other magnificant things did you do to ~WOW~ the admissions board. I am graduating from my BSN program in one month and plan to work in the MRICU of my local level one trauma center hospital. My science GPA is good 50/50 A's and B's, I've never made below a B in science. My overall GPA is 3.3. Ahhh, yeah a little low huh? I plan to take O-chem this summer, and then mammalian physiology in the fall along with completing my GRE. I've also won a couple of leadership awards. So who wants to play mock CRNA admission board with me? Do you think I should go ahead and apply after I complete all courses and test stated above? If accepted I will have one full year of ICU experience by the time I start the program.

I see what you all are saying. It's similiar to the cigarette smoking issue. At my school it seems like a lot of people smoke. In reality only one out of every ten students smoke. Perception of cigarette smoking is skewed because smokers smoke in plain view of others, often at building entrances/exit. The smell and visual appearance of smokers stands out against non-smokers. So maybe it seems that everyone who applies to CRNA school on this board gets accepted to CRNA school when in reality only one out of every ten posters gets in. Could it be that only those posting (the cig smokers) are only posting good news, nobody wants to talk about how they didn't get in. This forum is like the entrance and exit to building. Does this make sense or am I just blowing smoke? Oh geez this post is getting way to long, I'm going to start another thread, those with one year experience who applied and got in please check it out Title: One year experience and accepted, credentials please

I've noticed many members post threads about being granted an interview and being accepted into CRNA school. It seems many members of this forum are shoe-ins. So I'm wondering.... How many applications did it take before you were accepted? How many years of trying? How many schools did you apply to? I know not every one can get in on their very first try, so come on, spill it.

I've noticed many members post threads about being granted an interview and being accepted into CRNA school. It seems many members of this forum are shoe-ins. So I'm wondering.... How many applications did it take before you were accepted? How many years of trying? How many schools did you apply to? I know not every one can get in on their very first try, so come on, spill it.

Thanks for the warm welcome. I look forward to mingling with you'll.

My friend was telling me that since the military pays for your education you will have to take a significant pay cut once you have your degree and you are working for them. Is this true? His father became a doctor in the Air Force and he (my friend) is highly discouraging me from even looking into military CRNA programs, he states "it's not worth it." I believe in keeping all of my options open. What do you'll think?