srna28

Yeah, it definitely depends on the program. All the programs I applied to didn't accept ER or PACU...but I've heard some do. I never ran across any that did when I was applying but I was limited to NYC and NJ, and there aren't a lot of programs around there.

You'll do great. It looks like you're in from your specs. Good luck!!

Hi- I'm currently a student in columbia's crna program, and I think you still have a great shot at getting in. I didn't do great on my gre, either. The most important thing that you MUST worry about is your personal statement. By far, it is one of the most important things you're sending in your application. It essentially takes the place of an interview. I don't know what you've written, or if you've written anything at all yet, but make sure you spend some quality time writing it. Don't fret too much about the gre score- there's not much you can do about it now, and it's not really a great representation of how you will do in a nursing graduate program. Apply- don't let this bum you out too much. Good luck!

There's a lot to like and a lot not to like about critical care, and it's different for everyone. Go into your first job just wanting to learn as much as you can, and go from there. Good luck!

Find which strategies work for you the best and which ones don't. I didn't use every strategy they taught, but I did find some things they taught very useful. as everyone else has said: practice a lot. That's what helps the most. Good luck!

I have the cardiology III and love it. Be careful about nice stethoscopes though, they unfortunately do get stolen.

Be as honest as you can be. I wrote about why I became a nurse in the first place, and then why I wanted to become a crna. It was a lot of editing, and I had several people read it to make sure it was good. Don't be superficial or say anything that would be considered cliché. Just be honest and straight forward. Good luck!

Congratulations on finishing school! Good luck on your boards!

It's really whatever you prefer. I went to school in NYC and waited until after I passed my boards before applying. You can either begin applying before you graduate or wait. Don't let the fact that other people are applying early make you think you have to- do what's best for you. You may want to take a little time to study, and not want to worry about job hunting. You'll be stressed out from taking the boards anyways, and I know that I appreciated the time to take the boards without worrying whether I was going to lose my job, or when my start date would be, etc. Do what you feel is right for you. Don't let anyone else tell you what you should do. Good luck!

Don't be down on yourself. Failing the nclex doesn't define you- you will pass this next time and this will all be forgotten. Keep positive, especially during the test. Find a way to make yourself relax while you're taking the exam. Pause, take deep breaths, and just keep telling yourself you can do it. Good luck!

Unfortunately, pharm is a lot of memorizing. I'm taking advanced pharm now for my msn, and I find flashcards to be helpful. You have to write them within 2 days of your lecture and you'll find you memorize more that way. Other than that, it's repetition. Good luck!

Congratulations!

Definitely practice relaxation techniques and positive self-talk. When you get to a question you think you don't know, pause, close your eyes and just think "relax. I know this. I'm not going to fail". Don't sit there in the exam telling yourself you're going to fail- negative thinking won't help. I am an anxious test taker as well, and now through my advanced practice degree I still find myself using these techniques during my exams. It never fails. Be positive! And good luck!

Took the exam in 2007- 75 questions and passed. Could have sworn I failed though, and the state didn't have my license posted for several days, so that isn't really reliable.

Danskos are great...once you break them in they're the most comfortable shoes.