CRNAStudent

I work in a CTICU, and I usually offer it to my patients. Sometimes they take me up on it, sometimes they don't. Our standard postop pain meds are morphine, usually 1-10mg IV Q2 (depending on who wrote the orders). I usually don't give versed, because I need patients to hold their breath when their tubes come out - and patients who get benzos are sometimes not as cooperative as they could be:-) I have pulled CTs out with no pain meds before, and some people tolerated it every well. I encourage the patients to get pain meds before pulling the tubes if they are especially nervous about how painful it may be. I have found that adequate education beforehand usually helps reduce their perception of how bad the pain is - taking the time to explain why the tubes need to come out, and how much better they should feel afterwards (easier to breathe, etc). In my opinion, pain meds should always be offered, or the tubes should be pulled to coincide with peak effect of pain medication that has already been administered.

In the CTICU I worked in, we used vaso frequently. Usually it was in addition to levo, after we had reached at least 10mcg/min. We typically started the vaso at 2units/hour (100U/100cc). It is actually kind of amazing to see - some patients just need a touch of vaso, and you can wean the levo off in a matter of hours. Our intensivists have started trying something new, and it actually seems to work in some patients. After the pt is off levo and other pressors except vaso, they will start SQ vasopressin. I know it sounds nuts - but I saw a couple of patients who started the SQ regimen and the next day were off IV vaso. Coincidence, maybe...who knows - maybe a new treatment modality for weaning it. The dose was typically 6units SQ Q6 or Q8hours. Anyone else ever do this?

If you subscrube to the AACN, you automatically get a subscription to Critical Care Nurse, which is a good one. Go to aacn.org.

If you subscrube to the AACN, you automatically get a subscription to Critical Care Nurse, which is a good one. Go to aacn.org.

I went to Case Western as an undergrad and have been admitted to Case Western's CRNA program for this fall. They do not require the MCAT for the CRNA program. They accept either the GRE or the MAT. HOWEVER - Case Western is also one of the schools that offer the AA program with a masters' degree in anesthesia. That program DOES require the MCAT, with a minimum composite score of 20. Here are the links to the two different programs - when you called to get the information packet - make sure they sent you an application to the NURSING school, not the one for graduate studies, which is the AA program. CRNA program http://fpb.cwru.edu/Programs/Right/NAMSN.htm AA program www.anesthesiaprogram.com Hope this helps...if you have any more questions about CWRU you can PM me or post them here.

I was at the end of my first year of nursing school when I got the job. I started that summer, and worked a couple of shifts a week. I was very lucky - they allowed me to work pretty much whenever I wanted when I was back in school, so I did a lot of weekends (which the regular fulltime clinical techs loved...they always hated working the weekends!). Check around and see what is offered in your area hospitals.

Yes - definitely do a critical care rotation if offered the option. I began working as a clinical tech on a PRN basis in a cardiothoracic ICU when I was in nursing school, and it helped tremendously. I found that most of the nurses are willing to teach you things, if you are willing to ask why/how/etc. It was a phenomenal learning experience and there is no doubt in my mind that it helped me make a smooth transition from student to nurse.

I also don't think you have to work on the floor for a while before going to the ICU. I went straight to ICU upon graduation from nursing school, and I have been successful. I graduated last May (2003) and about half of my class started working in either the ER or ICU. I know that some hospitals require/prefer new grads to start in a less stressful environment, but I think the real determining factor in your success is how willing you are to put in the required work. Get yourself a good critical care book or two (my specialty is Cardiothoracic nursing and I have five CTICU books and one hemodynamics book), and be willing to go home and read up on the stuff you saw at work that day. ICU is not for people who are satisified with just "getting by" - as long as you are willing to put in the time and effort it takes, you will be successful! Good luck!

I know some schools don't require it if you graduated within a certain number of years. Mine required either the GRE or MAT.

Six months experience by the time I applied...will have 14 months experience when classes start. My experience was in a surgical heart failure ICU (heart & lung transplants, VADs, ECMO) and regular open heart ICU. I have heard that CTICU experience is preferred, but then again I know a ton of people who got in from other areas as well, like MICU, Neonatal ICU, Neuro ICU, SICU, CICU, etc.

HU_Nurse, I think you meant to post in an undergrad nursing forum...this is for students entering nurse anesthesia this fall.

Case Western Reserve University August 23 Nervous!

Check out USBank...I think they have a no-origination fee loan that is not need-based. www.usbank.com

I know you posted this a little while ago, but I thought I would give a little input. I did a nursing internship at Mayo, and was ultimately offered a job there. While I did not accept it, I can offer a few observations about my experience there. I worked on Eisenberg 10-2 (Solid Organ Transplant) for one summer in 2002, and from what I saw, they treat their nurses VERY well. I was impressed by the amount of support they show to their nurses and the extent to which they go to make sure their nurses are enjoying their jobs and have adequate time off. I did not choose Mayo because I am not from the area, and didn't wish to relocate. Otherwise, I would have definitely considered working there if I didn't mind living in Rochester. Good luck!

I am starting CRNA school in August, and I am still going to take the test in June. Regardless of what I do next year, I still specialized in critical care nursing, and want the certification that says so. But if the only reason you were doing it to begin with was to get into CRNA school, then I guess it doesn't matter...mission accomplished. For me though, I still want to achieve that level.