royalkeister

I'm originally from Spokane/Cd'A. But I up and moved my family so that I can attend U of Cincinnati. I'm in the program now. But when I started there was only Gonzaga and I knew my chances were greater in the east. So I didn't bother applying to Gonzaga at all. Fortunately OHSU is opening a program. You might want to keep an eye out for Westminster College in Salt Lake City. I know they're looking to start a program. Last I heard, they were searching for a program director.

If you've got your CCRN or are currently studying for it, you should be fine for UC. Also, remember to RELAX and be yourself. One thing about our class, is there are no phoneys. Let me or Ami know if you have any more ?'s.

Look up www.aana.com for a list of schools available in WA (there's only one. Go Zags!) and every other state for that matter. Also, look up www.gaswork.com as a good starting point for available jobs in WA.

Wonderful insight and logic. Thanks Kevin.

Hope you're enjoying Vegas Ami. I retire 9/5, thats it, no more. If it was UPMC I'd be sad to leave, but not at my current job.

I left UPMC Presby about 7 months ago to move to Cincinnati, cuz I'm starting the program at UC Sept. 1. I worked in the MICU there and loved it. They hired me 3 months before I even graduated from the University of Utah. I did take the loan repayment deal which was worth about 4grand at the time. With that, I was required to work 2 years for it to be totally forgiven. Only problem was a year and a half later I was accepted to UC and chose to go there, so I had to repay the whole deal back (Of course UPitt calls me to say I'm accepted AFTER I moved). So I'm not sure if I would have taken the deal if I was to do it all again. I don't like being tied down like that. Presby has 8 different ICU's all with very different personalities. You will be challenged because it is UPMC's flagship hospital, where the buck stops. And you will get the most challenging cases in the region. I loved working in the MICU. The nurses/docs/RT's/and pharmacists had an excellent repor with one another. However I cannot say that for every unit. I will not comment on rumours from other units. Compared to my current job in Cincy, I miss Presby terribly and I miss the academic atmosphere. Most importantly I miss Pittsburgh. I am a native of Spokane, WA and lived also in Idaho and Utah. But I loved living in Pittsburgh the most. The people are very welcoming and open. It is also very green, kind of similar to Portland, OR. I can go on and on and on. But since I already have, I'll stop. PM me if you have any specific questions. And don't anyone dis the Burgh! Go Steelers!

I have a palm m130. I got it a couple of years ago and it still works fine. I also have a blank memory card for just in case. I dont think we'll need anything fancy in the way of a PDA, if one is needed at all. Right now i only have ePocrates on it. Who knows what other gems will be available to download once school starts. Supposedly, on UC's Blackboard, there are some links for free downloads. My question is that we need either a cell phone or pager via Verizon (cuz its compatable in UC's hospital). So what do I get? A phone or a pager? Ami, expect a thorough glare from me at work. I have 3 more weeks +labor day. See y'all 9/1 in wonderful exotic Cincinnati.

payback my loans as soon as I can. I would like to save up to see the soccer world cup in south africa in 2010.

I personally know people who have gotten into CRNA programs with a GPA

After they reviewed my paperwork. I recieved the invite for an interview after I had already decided to go to UC. I never got to go see the campus or meet the faculty. I applied to ODU because the price was right and I knew people that lived in the area.

1. U Pitt-interviewed, was accepted as part-time, alternate to full-time 2. LaRoche/Allegheny Valley Hospital-interviewed and was accepted full time 3. U Cincinnati- interviewed, was accepted full time 4. Old Dominion U- interviewed offered, but I declined it 5. U at Buffalo- no word from them, but I had them toss my application after I was accepted to UC. I chose UC for its class size and close proximity of its clinical sites to each other. I also liked that it had more time with pediatrics than the other schools I applied to, even though peds scares the poop out of me. Most importantly, UC consistently puts out a decent basketball team every year (until they move to the Big East Conference)!

Brilliant! I briefly viewed the site. I look forward to downloading the ACTc. Thanks for the tip Oldsalt.

I understand JJRN's sediments about Pitt. I'm a native a Spokane, WA (go zags) and have worked in various cities in the west and now I'm in the east. UPMC can be very impersonal, seeing you're one of 35,000 employees. And they do have a bit of a monopoly if you exclude Mercy, West Penn, and AGH. However, I did work at UPMC's flagship hospital in the MICU and had an excellent experience. The communication was wonderful between RNs, MDs, RTs, etc. But I can't say that was the same for all the units. I am aware of conflicts on other units. As for the specific program at Pitt, I've known people who were very satisfied with the program, but some have also said that you must "sell your soul" to the program while in it. Some are bothered by it some aren't. We all must dedicate a huge portion of our time and effort no matter where we go. Pitt does like to boast about their rankings and tell you how great they are. I don't understand how or why they select some people, its kind of strange. "Rumor" says JOd "hand picks" who he wants in or out. I don't know how much truth there is to that. Although UPMC does have a rep for being impersonal and Pitt's program feels they're the worlds greatest, I still think the eduation you get there is excellent. I think no matter where you go, its what you make of it. I loved the burgh as a town and the people there are down to earth and friendly. You can get a great variety of experiences through the program there and come out prepared to take on the world. But if you have a choice between a couple of schools, go where you think your personality and goals fit best. I was accepted at Pitt and LaRoche, but felt more comfortable elsewhere with faculty and with what I wanted to accomplish. I know you'll make the right choice no matter where you go. I don't know a thing about Georgetown regetably. Good luck. Go Steelers.

Go to the burgh! Go Steelers! Oh, and the school is really good too. I was accepted part-time to Pitt, but chose to go to Cincinnati instead. I think you'll get a fantastic variety of quality experiences there. But I sure could do with a Primanti's sandwich right now. Mmmm.

The interview process is about 4-5 hours long. They tour you throught the college of nursing, UPMC Presbyterian and many UPMC Montefiore (located next to each other). They also show a rather long power point presentation, but it is very informative. Then you interview with 1 student and 5 faculty including the program director. The questions are situation based, or "get to know you" questions. There are little or no clinical questions. You interview with each for 15min. They give you coffee, doughnuts, etc. because the whole process is long. It is laid back, no need to feel intimidated. They like it if you have your CCRN or have taken graduate level courses already. But people have gotten in without either. They also emphasize GREs. They really prefer a score of 1000 or greater. It is an outstanding program, but they may pat themselves on thier own backs a bit too much. They probably deserve to i guess.