CowboyMedic DNP, APRN, CRNA

CRNA

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All Content by CowboyMedic

  1. CowboyMedic

    Why did you choose to be an ICU Nurse?

    CowboyMedic replied to al3x117's topic in Critical Care

    Started as a Paramedic and knew that I wanted to be a CRNA when I enrolled in nursing school. Spent almost a year working on a step down unit before I got into ICU. I still miss the truck but don't...
  2. CowboyMedic

    How many schools did you apply to?

    CowboyMedic replied to DogLover17's topic in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist

    I plan to apply to 6 schools this coming year. University of Tulsa (if they get accredited), Gonzaga, Texas Christian, Bryan College, Union University, and Mayo Clinic. If Tulsa doesn't get accredited...
  3. CowboyMedic

    Crna school

    CowboyMedic replied to Courtneyrn9317's topic in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist

    So looking over your previous posts on allnurses it seems like you are currently working long term care. First step to becoming a CRNA, get into a hospital in an ICU for a minimum 1 year but...
  4. CowboyMedic

    critical care certificate vs CORN2

    CowboyMedic replied to ASC111's topic in Critical Care

    CCRN is the gold standard of critical care certificates and you have to have 1750 hours within a two year period to be able to sit for
  5. CowboyMedic

    Critical Care "general" test

    CowboyMedic replied to fhcp1220's topic in Critical Care

    How long do you have before your test? You could review the Critical Care section of you Medical-Surgical nursing book or buy a Critical Care book. I'm using Critical Care Nursing Made Incredibly Easy...
  6. CowboyMedic

    Crna school

    CowboyMedic replied to Courtneyrn9317's topic in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist

    From your original post it sounded like you hadn't. Like I said, the best way to find out what a CRNA does and what school is like is to shadow one or simply talk to one at your
  7. CowboyMedic

    Critical Care "general" test

    CowboyMedic replied to fhcp1220's topic in Critical Care

    I don't think I have every heard of having to take a general test to be hired in an critical care position, I sure didn't. You should learn almost everything you need to know in critical care after...
  8. CowboyMedic

    Crna school

    CowboyMedic replied to Courtneyrn9317's topic in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist

    The simplest way to find out what a CRNA does is to simply shadow one. I had the fortunate experience when I was doing OR clinicals for my paramedic and thought it would be an awesome career if I...
  9. CowboyMedic

    Best SICU for CRNA school?

    CowboyMedic replied to crnagoals1's topic in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist

    I woyld say the large level 1 trauma center as well. If the community hospital has a high enough acuity for you to get CV cases as well as ECMO then that would be a good choice as well. I'm in a...
  10. CowboyMedic

    Orientation length for ICU

    CowboyMedic replied to Toadd35's topic in Critical Care

    Very much agree with this. Our unit does 8 to 10 weeks on days then 2 to 4 weeks on nights if you are hired for night shift. You should never do a full orientation on days and then be expected to flip...
  11. CowboyMedic

    I and O how often?

    CowboyMedic replied to rkealy's topic in Critical Care

    We do Q1HR I&O, and normally Q15 vitals. The longer the pt is in ICU and the more stable they are then we go to Q1
  12. CowboyMedic

    Duke CRNA FAll 2018

    CowboyMedic replied to rn1021's topic in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist

    One of the nurses in my unit just accepted a position at Duke yesterday. Congratulations on everyone getting accepted. I hope I can say the same thing this time next year (not at Duke
  13. CowboyMedic

    Best review for CCRN?

    CowboyMedic replied to kccRN's topic in Critical Care

    These are the two that I bought and will start studying in a few
  14. CowboyMedic

    NMBA and high PEEP relation

    CowboyMedic replied to nurs1ng's topic in Critical Care

    I agree with what everyone above is saying. You would use an NMBA for total control of a patients respiratory drive so that they are not fighting the ventilator. If a pt has a PEEP of 20 set on the...
  15. CowboyMedic

    How often do you work in close contact with CRNA

    CowboyMedic replied to cjp1133's topic in MICU, SICU

    At our facility, the only time we see anesthesia is when we are receiving a patient straight from the OR or if we have a Code Airway and need immediate intubation. I may see anesthesia once a
  16. CowboyMedic

    How much did you save before CRNA school?

    CowboyMedic replied to tofu-tofu's topic in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist

    This is my plan for the next year and a half or maybe sooner if I get accepted to the University of Tulsa first crack. I'm going to work plenty of overtime over the next year and a half to have all of...
  17. CowboyMedic

    TCU Jan 2019/SRNA advice in general

    CowboyMedic replied to cvicunurse123's topic in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist

    Application deadline is July 1st, 2018 for the 2019 class, correct? If so I will be apply as well. Will take the CCRN and GRE this Spring. Should have a 3.18 GPA when I graduate in December, 3.8ish...
  18. CowboyMedic

    Training pathways in ICU

    CowboyMedic replied to LibertarianNurse's topic in Critical Care

    I started in our Step Down ICU but went through the ICU residency program that our facility offered. When I was finally able to move to the ICU I had all the classes that the people hired into ICU and...
  19. CowboyMedic

    University of Tulsa Nurse Anesthetist Program

    CowboyMedic replied to CowboyMedic's topic in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist

    Yeap. Had a CRNA that graduated from Newman tell me the reason that they pull out of Tulsa was due to the amount of cases. RRNA's at Hillcrest were doing around 1400 cases compared to 900-1000 in...
  20. CowboyMedic

    Any advice for a RN student who wants to be a CRNA?

    CowboyMedic replied to Guest849204's topic in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist

    If anesthesia is your dream, like it is mine, then you need to go for it. Yes there is always room to improve but you won't get in if you don't take the chance. I am currently 3 weeks from finishing...
  21. CowboyMedic

    Real Talk

    CowboyMedic replied to CardiacDork's topic in Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, CRNA

    I like the sound of this. The hardest thing for me when I first went into nursing was the switch from a medical mindset as a paramedic to the holistic mindset of nursing. I love nursing but miss being...
  22. CowboyMedic

    What book or tool should I get to start preparing for the CCRN exam?

    CowboyMedic replied to EternalFeather's topic in Critical Care

    I just ordered two books and plan to take my CCRN in the early Spring. I ordered Critical Care Made Incredibly Easy (Critical Care Nursing Made Incredibly Easy! (Incredibly Easy! Series®):
  23. CowboyMedic

    How to Explain Poor GPA to Interview Panel

    CowboyMedic replied to futureSRNA1985's topic in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist

    I'm going to have to tell them the same thing. I am not now who I was at 18-20 during my first time through school. I started with a 2.25 and should be up to a 3.18 when I finish my BSN in December....
  24. CowboyMedic

    University of Tulsa Nurse Anesthetist Program

    CowboyMedic replied to CowboyMedic's topic in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist

    Another update. Initial class of 15. Around $100K tuition. 3 years,
  25. CowboyMedic

    Just passed NCLEX RN. Crna next?

    CowboyMedic replied to spccpsv's topic in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist

    Did you graduate with an ADN or a BSN? CRNA requires a BSN or Bachelors in a science along with ADN. A minimum of 1 year ICU experience but most prefer 2 to 3 years. A 3.0 GPA, some look at overall...