mrigas

Nursing theory Statistics Clinical/epidem. research Sorry, I don't have the sheet with me to provide you the numbers.

I have to say that I also got MANY blank stares. This is very nerve-racking...especially when they ask you something general like "tell me about epinephrine." So you start rattling your brain for everything you know and as you're speaking and trying to read their faces you start to 2nd guess yourself. They almost look @ you like you don't know what you're talking about even if you are giving them the right info. Try not to let this bother you (easier said than done). Study for the interview and be confident with what you know.

I talked with the PD about not having O-chem completed by the time you apply and he said that they prefer it to be completed by application time but it does not detract from your application if you send them a transcript with your application showing you are currently enrolled. So that's what I did and it worked for me! Best of luck to you.

I'm going to UT-Houston...Go Horns!!

What certs do you have? How is your science background? What have you done over the past 9 years to show your leadership and clinical abilities? Maybe they felt you were overconfident at your interview? ....just a few thoughts....

Me too!!! I had to read the screen several times while piching myself to make sure it was true. Congrats!!

Congrats on getting in. I was also admited this year to a program and wanted to let everyone know that I did pretty much the same thing for preparation. A friend and I worked very hard at compiling a list of interview questions that prepared us clinically and professionally. Once we had compiled these questions and came up with answers, we would call each other and quiz ourselves. This really helped. Just as the OP had done, however, my friend and I had overstudied these questions as well as overprepared for the CCRN. We were still nervous going in but felt confident that we knew our stuff. Not only did I have my CCRN, but I had TNCC, PALS, and device certifications. The board seemed impressed with the fact that I had accquired so much in so little time after becoming a nurse. So, my advice would be to get the certifications if you are applying with less than two years of experience.

I was elated when I found out yesterday... It's REALLY going to be hard to go into work now. Transplant, I work in the CVICU across the hall from you at Hermann...maybe we can meet sometime since we've probably seen each other before...pm me if you want. Congratulations to everyone who made it!!!

Has anyone taken Kaplan's online prep course or their classroom prep? Was it worth the money? I have the money to front but I'd rather use it for something else if I can prep just as well with the book and several supplements.

"If they need more Spanish than that, they are lost. And look to the nurses as if 'RN' somehow translates to 'automatically fluent in Spanish. No kidding, I've seen this many times." This is sad but true!!

I have recently started in a CVICU as a new nurse. The managers are quite reluctant to hiring new grads because of the high probablilty of them "doing their time" so that they can go to CRNA school. Needless to say, I have kept my hopes of getting into school to myself. I realize that I have at least a year to go before beginning to apply as I have an 18 month contract to fulfil, but I would like to hear how other people have gone about getting good recommendations especially from their managers. Any other advice in dealing with coworkers, managers, etc. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

PDAs of any kind are allowed, I had several friends that loved them and lived on them (especially in clinicals)

Recent grad of UT Houston. Was just wondering what the CANDO program is since there was no such thing when I attended. For those of you who will not be able to attend FOCUS, don't worry. You will not be put at a disadvantage, the program is designed with time for you to learn all of the material presented in FOCUS. Attending FOCUS was great for me because I just couldn't wait to get into things and I THOUGHT I would be at an advantage. It was within the first few days that I found out that FOCUS was created to solve the delima of too many students and not enough lab space to put all the students in simultaneously. Good luck to all of you and feel free to PM me if you have any questions!

I plan on applying to both schools in the near future and would like to hear opinions about each school's program. I have weighed the obvious pros and cons with each school (i.e., curriculum, clinical locations, etc) but would like to get opinions regarding student life, clinical situations you've encountered, and the stuff they don't tell you before entering the program. Please feel free to PM me if you do not feel comfortable divulging information so pubicly! Thanks!

This really does not make sense to me. Why would a manager not higher someone with 5-10 years of ICU experience for a M/S position?

I go to UT-H. Parking is not really an issue for me because my job pays for it. The best place to park is the Brown lot...they only charge $2 for 4 hours with a max of $6/day. You can park there for TWU-H and UT-H. As for the schools: 1) I have heard that TWU-H has many more group projects which supposedly makes their program rank lower on some scale (I think it has to do with the accreditation board, but don't quote me on that). 2) The program cirriculum is structured differently because of the year-round model (UT-H) as opposed to the 4 semester model (TWU-H) 3) At UT-H, you get to choose a high acuity setting in which you want to be precepted in (1:1 nurse-student ratio) 4) Most importantly, TWU-H makes you pass the HESI with an 85 (or higher) before you can graduate, whereas UT-H is going to be using the ERI and calculating it into your course grade at 15% Remember, all nursing schools have their pros and cons. Although there have been times through out my schooling that I wished I would have considered another school, I have been satisfied with what I have learned and the way the program has helped to prepare me. I hope this helps...let me know if you have more questions!

Before I began shodowing, I was fortunate to meet a nurse who was a really good friend of an anesthesiologist at a private hospital. This turned out to be the perfect setup because I can come and go as I please and watch anything I can get my eyes on while I'm there. I think the most important thing that you need to do is introduce yourself to the CRNAs and the MDs. Tell them who you are and your plans. Most of the CRNAs and the MDs I've done this with have been very receptive towards me and will do their best to teach before procedures and as they go. By introducing yourself, you will start networking and making a name for yourself. From what I have learned, successful careers begin with a strong network of connections. You never know who you are going to run into and how they may help you accomplish your future goals. Be sure to ask questions when they ask if you have any questions. One of the ways I have gone about doing this is carrying a small notebook around with me. That way when I hear or see something that conflincts with what I have previously written down, need clarification on, or just want a more in-depth knowledge I can ask the CRNA/MD. All in all I have enjoyed my shadowing experiences thus far. There are times when I feel it's a little slow; but I have gotten so much out of just observing. One of the best things is that I can actually see myself doing anesthesia some day which, in turn, gives me the desire to press on and jump through the neccessary hoops to get into and through anesthesia school. Good luck in your endeavors!

To clarify, Darien, did you mean that many of the people who work in CVRR at St. Luke's end up going to Baylor or did you mean CVICU nurses in general?

I learned this last week that my first choice hospital does not have any positions in CVICU. What other units will give me the experience I need to get in to CRNA school? Thanks!

I am looking to shadow a CRNA next month and would like any tips/advice on obtaining such an opportunity...anything to help lead me in the right direction. I am looking for opportunities in the Texas Medical Center, so any contact names and numbers via PM would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

All of the units you listed are considered ICU. The reason why they have different names is related to the populations they take care of (i.e., NICU = Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). Different CRNA programs have different requirements for the experience neccessary to enter the program. Check with them to see wich one is the best fit.

I will be shadowing a CVICU nurse next month and was wondering if you guys had any tips on making the most out of my experience. Thanks!

ENP, I don't want to bud in on your conversation but I noticed that you said you are reading your patho book. The professor who teaches patho tests DIRECTLY from his notes. If you feel that reading is helping you get a jump start on things, press on!! I just don't want you to spend what little summer you have left on reading, and realize none of the information you read is used for test material. I did very well both semesters of patho and I never read for tests (most classes, however, the books are very helpful). You will find that the patho book is good for referencing for in-class things and creating good careplans. Aslo, in my opinion, I think you should go to Focus if at all possible. When I went it really helped me to have a clearer picture of what was going on before school actually started.

Don't worry about not having any previous health care experience...most of my classmates had never stepped foot inside a hospital, short of visiting friends/family. Just continue to work hard and remain confident in the knowledge base you are attaining now. Be proud of yourself...you are on your way to being a nurse!!

UT-H is a competitive school. When I applied, there were 1500 applicants for 130 seats. I think my previous degree is what helped me get in as I do not have as high of a GPA as most of my other classmates. I am not sure how they weigh things now because they no longer do the formal interview. They now have you come in and write essays in place of the traditional interview. DO NOT give up hope...whatever this information means to you! I did not think that I would make it in, but I did. Also know that I have heard of stories where 4.0'ers were turned away.