hanpat13

BTW...if you're inclined to ask about this from one of your nursing instructors/professors...it's pronounced "taw" like "law"...not "tow" like "now"...we had this debate and someone finally looked it up in the Greek alphabet. You may have to read that a few times to figure out what I'm talking about, lol. Kris

I have an application sitting beside me right now for a very competitive critical care internship. One of the essay questions I have to answer..."honors and awards". If you're offered entry into Sigma Theta Tau, scrape up the money and accept. You never know what kind of program you'll be "dying to get into" at graduation time and beyond! Best of luck

My school "forces" us to buy a kit with stethoscope, tuning fork, scissors, hammer, etc. It's issued during orientation. So, before you start buying all this stuff, make sure you aren't going to be buying it twice! As for the stuff I did buy that I think is indispensable...rolling book bag and laptop...oh, HOW COULD I FORGET...a jump drive! Preferably one that hooks to your keyring. Clinicals---I cut a couple of pieces of paper into a manageable size, staple the pages together to form a little notebook, and then throw it all away after my careplan is done. We don't chart at the hospital, but we have to "chart" in our careplans. The disposable notebook has been quite handy and it's quite functional/cheap. Best of luck, hanpat

Sara, First of all, she needs to see a doctor!!! I am a little 'ole BSN student in my last semester, so my authority on the subject is zilch. If I remember correctly, night sweats is/are the cardinal sign along with the others you mentioned. Best of luck, hanpat

We have a 10 hour clinical day first semester, 2-10 hour clinical days the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th semester (all per week). 4th semester ends half-way through (finals, ERI's, etc.) and then we are released for 144 hour preceptorship. We come back in May to graduate. Hope that helps, Kris

One of the girls in my nursing class wrote a paper about floating (from unit to unit). It was a great presentation (accompanying paper). We were required to use a minimum of 5 research articles from professional journals, so I am sure the research exists no matter which side of the issue you are on. Good luck!

Wow! This has pegged me right down to the group project description. Almost creepy...INTJ. I'm known for saying "I know what I don't know", so this quote is really kinda eery: "INTJs know what they know, and perhaps still more importantly, they know what they don't know." This is a great thread. Kris

I live in Abilene and can fill you in...Feel free to email me at [email protected] Best of luck to you, Kris

I have not found the courage yet to speak with any of my professors about pursuing anesthesia nursing. I get the impression they may think I am selling out. Of course, I haven't told them that is the reason I am in nursing school altogether. When I spoke to the BSN director at my school about this, I didn't mention who I wanted to shadow. I know several CRNA's and plan to speak with them about shadowing. My only concern is in what capacity--as a CNA, student nurse, or no credential at all? For those of you that sit on selection committees for CRNA candidates, it is very kind of you to come here and offer advice/encouragement. And since you are here, I will take advantage and pick your brains! What subject(s) should I hone up on? It will be more than 3 years by the time I apply since I've taken Chemistry. Should I retake it? Take O-Chem? Any other suggestions are not only welcomed, but greatly appreciated. hanpat

See my "Do I Have What it Takes" post.... Just when I feel pretty confident I'll have all the right stuff...someone like you comes along and sends me back into doubtful mode! Very good luck to you, though. I will be watching and waiting for your updates. hanpat

The responses are fantastic, and full of support & motivation. THANKS SOOO MUCH! Keep 'em coming. I have to complete a CNA course (month of June)...never thought about actually working as one. GREAT IDEA! I will ask around about working as a CNA in the ICU...or something. I spoke with our BSN director about shadowing...said privacy issues lately make it more difficult. Wouldn't be a privacy issue if I were there as a CNA, and "shadowed" on my own time. What do you all think?

I have been lurking on this board for a while...reading your posts and taking all of the information in, finally got the courage to sign up a few days ago. I have wanted to be a CRNA for many, many years. I waited to start nursing school until my kids started school (my youngest starts in Aug, and I start the last two years of BSN). I started taking practice GRE tests a few months ago in preparation. Obviously, I cannot take that test until BSN is finished...and then a minimum of one year ICU will follow. My husband and I have decided I will take any job that allows ICU experience even if it requires relocation. I am committed to making this my career...anyway, my GPA thus far is 4.0 (finished patho and stats this semester, grades in yesterday and 4.0 stands) with nothing left except the nursing part of nursing school. I am entering the honors nursing program (basically a thesis and a couple of honors classes). So anyway, of the practice GRE's I've taken, I've averaged about 650 each section. I study verbal everyday....in my car at home, etc. It is much harder than I thought it would be. So, assuming I can make this score on the real one (or something in the range), my gpa stands at 4.0 AND I somehow get into the ICU immediately after graduation, do I have a snowball's chance in Hades of getting in on the first try? (My first choice of schools thus far is TX Wesleyan b/c of location, I will apply to others though). Any suggestions as to how I can make my application stronger? I feel as though I must do all I can to make up for lack of experience, hence the preoccupation with GPA and GRE. Sorry about the VERY long post. hanpat13 I look forward to posting progress reports to you guys as the next few years go by.