kabarnes

What programs have you looked into and what are the costs like? I am just starting my researching into going the online route for NP school and would like some ideas of what is out there.

I was just curious about a few things. I was looking into the UAB online FNP program and I can't find any information that says you only have to pay resident tuition rates. I was wondering how you knew that the tution was set that way. Also, how do you go about setting up your clinical experiences when you go with an online program. I mean do you just try to find NPs in your area willing to take on a student and do they get paid for helping you with your clinical experience. It seems to me that doing the classroom portion of your masters online makes sense. However, I am really concerned how clinical portion works. How can there be an adequate measurment of how good each clinical experience is? Just because someone might be a good nurse practioner does not mean they would be a good preceptor for a student. Any comments or explanations would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, I was wondering about any of you who work in units that do transplants. I have a background in Peds Heme Onc and Adult ICU/CCU and I think that I might be interested in working in a unit that does transplants. Questions: Is there any special training or articles I could read to find out more information about the specialty? Do most hospitals have specific transplant ICUs or are the patients mixed with other surgical patients? Where are some of these hospitals located? My husband is in the military so we move around alot and I would like to know where some of the jobs are.

If it takes the same amount of time ??? Why would you want to get an associate's instead of a bachelor's. That just does not seem to make logical sense at all. Because if you then decide you want to further your career and get a master's you need to have a bachelor's. On the question about which should make more money. I know people probably won't agree but IMHO 1. Nurses should be paid more in general and 2. BSN should be the minumum required degree to become an RN. I think by setting this standard it will be easier to demand the higher wages we deserve and gain more respect from other members of the health care profession.

I was very happy to come across this thread. I have been wondering about the same things. I have been a nurse for about seven years and I have always known that I wanted to get an advanced practice degree, but I always thought I would be an NP. Lately I have been more interested in CRNA, the money is attractive, but I think I would really enjoy doing the job. I love the ICU, I love science and seeing what effects drugs have on the body amazes me. However, I do have the dilemma of family. I have a one year old son and one on the way. My husband is in the Army and we are going to try to coordinate graduate school together around Fall '07. He will still get his army pay while they pay for master's and I could get my CRNA. However, I am still uncertain about embarking on this journey with two small children. Then I start to think when would be a good time when they are older. I am not that old, I will be 30 next year, but it would be nice to be practicing as a CRNA by the time I am in my late 30s. I se all these posts about how much time you have to put into school and what a strain it is and I wonder, am I being selfish. I wish I really could hear from others out there that go to school and have small children and how they juggle it all. Sorry so long, just alot on my mind.

we run it over 15 minutes too. No need for a filter anymore either. 5 hours sounds pretty crazy to me.

sprout and gump thank you for your input. I really appreciate it. I have a background in both adult and peds and I really enjoy peds and would like to go to a school that has a good peds rotation. Thanks again.

I was wondering what kind of clinical experience are offered at each of these schools. I was also wondering if most of the clinicals are local. And I wanted to know if you get to do alot of pediatric cases. I am looking to go to CRNA school in 2007 and I am not set on going to school in Alabama, but am looking at schools in the southeast to be closer to my family. I am looking for schools that have most clinicals close by to the school and have a good pediatric rotation.

I have not taken the GRE yet, but I am not looking forward to it. I too have never been very good at standardized tests. The SAT was no fun at all, but the way I see it the GRE is challenge that can be overcome. So I would say study again try other resources. The number2.com website is very helpful. And maybe a course wouldn't a be a bad idea. I mean if you haven't tried a course yet (I've never taken one) maybe they will teach you some new study skills that will help. Overall, if you really are not happy with your score, than I would take it again. Granted I haven;t taken it yet. But I know the feelings you probably get when you have to take it. Dread!! In addition to this, have you heard of the MAT, some schools out there require that test and I was thinking of taking that, I seem to do better on those types of tests. But, only a handful of schools accept that test. IMHO I think it tests your logic and reasoning better and is a better gauge of critical thinking versus whether you can find the area of a circle.

As far as I know RNs are only supposed to titrate propofol on a IV pump while a patient is mechanically ventilated. If a patient needs propofol for conscious sedation and does not have an artificial airway an RN should definately not be pushing propofol. But, I am not really sure if an RN can push a small bolus of propofol while the patient is on the ventilator.

I am just wondering how much liability insurance you have to carry as a CRNA. Is it less than an MDA? I would think if you lived in a state where you practiced independantly you would need comparable insurance coverage. This being said I am wondering why MDAs make so much more money. I understand that they are trained longer and are MDs and they should make more than CRNAs but why such a huge amount $400K. I mean how much do surgeons and OBs make, I thought it was around the same due to liability. Just curious

I just got back from the dentist today. As I was having my teeth cleaned I kept wondering why someone would want to do this job. I mean think of all the nasty mouths out there. It got me interested in how much they make, so I did a search on salary.com and I was appalled. I cannot believe that they make that much more than we as nurses do. I feel sick to my stomach because of it. I always thought we deserved more, but finding out what someone makes to scrap teeth all day long, when we put up with being understaffed, juggling too many sick patients, dealing with doctors who are rude and put us down and not to mention all kinds of bodily secretions in addition to nasty mouths. I am not trying to say that what they do doesn;t deserve that amount of money. I just think it is a huge injustice that we don't make closer to that amount. I am sorry to be going on a rant like this. No, I didn't get into nursing for the money, but it just doesn't seem right. Even advanced degree nurses don't make that much. Salary.com quote a national average of like 69K. Unbelivable. All this being said, I don;t think I would want to be a hygienist, but it is the principle of it all.

Hi just curious, but wouldn't anyone in the OR be exposed to small amounts of gas too (the surgeon, nurses and techs). Maybe not as much since they are usually not right next to the patient's head. I was just wondering, if anyone has any comments.

Check out this website: http://www.number2.com They have free GRE prep and it is pretty decent. Haven't taken the GRE yet, but I am pretty nervous.

LNsrna well put statement about the GRE. I have been "listening in" on this board for awhile and I too am very scared by the GRE. I have never been very good at standardized tests. However, like you said, this is a small hurdle and it is best not to limit your options of CRNA programs. Your words were very inspiring to me. I hope to start anesthesia school in 2007. Congrats on being accepted to TCU.