and1ccrn

Derek, I am currently attending the CMC nurse anesthesia program in Charlotte and have some insight for you. If you would like to talk more, send me your email address and I will email you. Thanks

So I just got in to CRNA school and I start in August!! My advice is get good experience, any ICU is sufficient but I honestly think the best experience is trauma or cardiac. I have been a CCU nurse for 2 1/2 years now and have gotten invaluable experience! Also make yourself look good on paper, while youre fresh put of school, TAKE THE GRE! It's tough to get in that mindset and thinking 3 years later. Also CERTIFICATIONS- CCRN definitely, if cardiac CSC, CMC (all those through the American association of critical-care nursing), and another through the American board of cardiovascular medicine called CVRN-BC. Not only does it make you look great, it also helps you study for the interview- I got all these a few months leading into the interview. You dont necessary need all of that stuff, one of ,y buddies got in without any of it. That said, all that stuff just gets you the interview- THE INTERVIEW is our time to shine and it's what gets you in! You can prepare all you want but it leaves you when a panel is staring at you. Best advice is to be yourself, be humble and always try to be learning more!!! Good luck to you and congratulations on graduation!

Wolfpackred,I was wondering if you have any other advice in regards to the interview, I was invites to the april interviews!!! I can pm so if you could email me at [email protected] I would really appreciate it. I'm really excited for this opportunity!!!

I recently emailed the contact at CMC and she said that we would be receiving information possibly this week if we are granted and interview!! Getting really anxious now!

Are you talking about the CVRN-BC through the ABCM- American board of cardiovascular medicine or are you talking about the cardiac vascular cert though the ANCC? I just emailed someone from the ABCM and the pre req is 2 years work in cardiac or a certified cardiac course. If you are talking about the RN-BC through the ANCC, which is what my friend got, she has the ceu's from other certifications she maintains. You can go to PACEP.org and complete this program. It's ppt guides lectures- it goes overs pa catheter management and hemodynamics... And best part- its free, and totals out to 22hrs of ceu's. Unfortunately you might just need to tough it through the book since you already bought it. My friend did say you might be better off as an experienced cardiac stepdown nurse taking the ANCC exam bc it was not very clinical or geared towards critical care. I just wasn't sure what exam you were taking. I am going to sit for the CVRN level I & II soon- level I is for tele nurses and II for CCU nurses. No ceu's required and the exam and credentials are recognized by the ANCC. Sorry for the confusion, hope this clears it up a bit. Good luck whatever path you choose

Where did you work? Is CRNA your career goal? If so your gonna need ICU exp. With that being said, I would never encourage someone to stay in a job they are miserable in. Why do you not like ICU? Is it the type of patients, type of care, who you work with, physicians? If it is the type of care or stress I would suggest you go back to your old job. It doesn't mean you failed by any means but some jobs arent what we thought they would be. I work in a CCU and I love it! Also the people you work with can make a big difference on how you enjoy a job. We in critical care tend to "eat our young" not purposefully but it happens. The most important thing you have to consider is what you have to do, what you enjoy, and what you want to do. If you want to do CRNA and that is your goal- you will have to tough it through some ICU for at least 1 year, but if it is is not than maybe consider your old job. I personally couldn't stay in a place too long if I was miserable. Hope I was able to help! Good luck!

Congrats!!! I started in CCU three years ago. Do you know if you get immediate post op heart (ie CABG's etc)? It'll be great experience. Like above, know what's normal!! You can't know if something is wrong if you don't know what is normal for the patient. A good reference guide for you is fast facts for critical care by Kathy White. You can by the little note book or if you are an apple person they have app's. I suggest the critical care app, Iabp app, and cardiothoracic surg app (if you get fresh hearts). These are amazing references!!! Cheaper as an app but well worth the money if you done have an iPhone/itouch. Also when your off your orientation- do a progr called PACEP- @ PACEP.org - registration is free. It teaches you about hemodynamics. Don't worry if you don't understand it.. It is pretty advanced! But you will get exposed to it, then redo it after a year and you'll understand it much better!!! Last bit of advice, be humble! Good luck to you!!

I have that book and have to agree it is awfully boring!! There is a nurse on my unit who took the exam and used my book to study and she passed. Said the most helpful part is the cardiac rehab... But thats probably bc we work in a CCU that get fresh hearts and critical care. Do you work in an ICU? Have you considered the CCRN? You can add on the CSC and CMC as well depending on where you work. That's what I did; there are a lot more study materials out for those. Plus you can almost take all three for the price of just the 1 from the ANCC. If you are set on the CVRN I did hear its a not very clinical- ie more therapeutic comm and best practice type stuff- just like it states in the outline. Anyways good luck!!!

MSICUNurse131,Did you put in an app for the interviews this April? If so, any idea when they are contacting people about interviews?

I just had another question if you dont mind. Were you an NC resident before you started the program. If not, have you/are you going to establish instate residency for tuition purposes? Do you know how hard it is to establish in state residency? Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Thanks for the reply, I'd have to say that Duke is definitely the number one school on my list. Any suggestions about the interview process or general advice about getting through the program with a family? Thanks again for the reply!!!

WolfpackRed, How do you like the program? How far are you in? I am worried that my application is going out later for the last set of interviews. I wanted to make sure that my app was really strong to I made sure i got a few certifications. I recently toured the campus this fall, did not get to see all of it from time constraints but I really liked it there. Sorry dont mean to impose I'm just really excited about applying!

I apologize before hand- this probably should go in pre-CRNA but I really needed some advice and insight from a student. I am really interested in Duke's CRNA program to start Jan 2013. I have researched a ton of schools and was wondering about the clinical sites- i know there is a wide range (i read somewhere up to 15 different sites across nc)- I was was wondering on average how many you end up going to? I really like the progam and all I've seen when i've visited. I've been saving and am my family and I are willing to take on the challenge (because from what i hear from everyone it is very much a challenges everone in the family) but I am not sure I want to spend he whole second half of the program away from my family. I know that there are no guarantees i would even get in but I feel that I am a stron applicant and would not want to go through the whole process knowing it would not be something I was willing to do. Please anyone with a little bit of insight let me know how the program is? any just for curiosity, how's the interview?

Does anyone have any insight on the interview @ UNCC/CMC's program? I have not found much information out there. I am looking to apply for Fall 2012- Been an RN for three years, working in CCU recovering hearts- lots of hemodynamic experience. Just got my CCRN, CSC, & CMC this year. GRE- 500 verbal, 670 quant. GPA 3.65 overall, I really want to get in- Would appreciate anyone's input on the interview!!!!