brazuca

wow... lets be civil here guys. Lets not jump into assumptions of what one or the other assumed. This thread interests me in that I am constantly watching for any potential transfer that may hurt me in the future. In my unit, I hear a lot of nurses talking about "MY PET PEEVE", basically they use this term to state what in their patient's care is extremely important to them. One may say, "my pet peeve is frequent mouth care", or "my pet peeve is changing lines frequently to prevent infections", well nobody was very happy to hear mine... and it was... "MY PET PEEVE IS TO WATCH MY BACK AND THINK ABOUT MY SAFETY FIRST". They looked at me as if I don't care for my patients, but thats not the truth, I do care. But I also know that nobody is going to watch out for my safety, and if I fall victim to a disability like yours, I will be on my own having to deal with it, and even possibly be unemployed. I grimace every single time my charge nurse calls me to transfer a patient to the chair that cannot get up on his own (I mean a full lift), I have no problem assisting the patient to the chair. I have assisted carrying the patient literally from the bed to the chair numerous times because the charge nurse says, "The surgeon wants him up in the chair in the morning." I'm sorry, but im no "crane," patients that are full lifts in my book should be moved by physical therapy professionals that are trully trained in proper body mechanics and are able to provide safety for themselves and to the patient. It is a ridiculous scenario in my book, and I have written papers on the statistics of nurses in relation to back problems and how in europe many hospitals have "established lift teams" for these types of patients. I am sorry about your back, and I hope you find a job soon. And for all those out there, WATCH YOUR BACK!

As stated previously it can certainly be done. I had no prior college education before nursing. Yes, I completed my BSN in one year (3 terms), the only thing I did to accomplish this was that I took 3 of the BSN classes while in the associates program. I ended up with 13 classes left to take for my BSN in that one year (I did 4, 4 and 5). Yes, I went straight into ICU, I was lucky... the new grads that I've seen haven't been getting into the ICU's, especially CVICU where I work. Many are actually having a hard time finding a job as many hospitals in the area have hiring freeze for new grads. There are an occasional few that get into ICU ... so be ready to demonstrate your best during clinicals and practicum. If you have not finished nursing, dont worry about shadowing, you have enough time to network and shadow once you are a nurse. Good luck to everyone.

Yes I am Brazilian. Well... what you have to think about is only one thing.... which of the two programs will get you an RN license the quickest. Because from that moment on you are a registered nurse and your "years" of experience start counting. I preferred to gather my two years of experience while concurrently doing my BSN during one of those 2 years.

In my opinion you should do your associates and work on your BSN while you are working as an RN. Thats what I did. This saves you time by gaining your RN experience (Most importantly ICU experience) while finishing off your BSN. By the time you finish your BSN, you will able to apply. My example: ADN August 2005-May 2007 Started working in ICU: July 2007- Present BSN August 2007- July 2008 Applied CRNA program: May 2009 -- Got in to start January 2010

I GOT IN!!!! Letters are being sent out Friday June 26th, and June 29th. For those who were students previously of this college, we received emails through our student email addresses. Now Im counting down the days!!!

Central Florida: PCU 4:1/ 5:1 Techs Med Surg 7-8:1 Techs ICU 2:1, 1:1 NO tech

You have a good foundation, and like most of us, has prepared thoroughly throughout nursing school to achieve your final goal as a CRNA. My recommendation would be to start at a step down unit in the hospital. You will have better chances of getting into critical care from there. I don't know what you do now, but if it isn't in a major healthcare facility, its not the ideal scenario. I graduated 2 years ago, and fortunately got into a SICU straight from school. As a clinical instructor I see more and more students finding it difficult to get into ICU straight from school, as managers are aggravated by the wave of recent grads who get 1-2 years experience and go off to anesthesia school. The push at my hospital lately has been for no new grad hires in the ICU, although it happens on occasion. This trend started in the Fall of last year. Many of the students I supervise during clinical and practicum confide there disappointment in not getting into an ICU straight from school, bc there goal is anesthesia school. All i can say is keep trying but if a step down unit is all you get, be happy bc depending in the region of the country where you live, there is actually a hiring freeze for new grads. Hospitals are pushing for experienced nurses who are returning to work because there husbands have been laid off work, and an experienced nurse takes no or very little training, unlike new grads that are expensive to train. In respect to the minimum of on year to transfer, its subjective, it is depended on the needs of the unit and if you shine brighter than others, you may be given the opportunity to transfer earlier. Good luck.

I meant University of Pennsylvania... good catch ... thank you.

Hey, I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with the CRNA program from Penn State University, or even the application process, interview... anything. Does anyone know how competitive this school is? What are usual stats of approved applicants? Thanks, Brazuca

Hi. I am looking to for some insight pertaining to CRNA schools. Basically what I would like to know from current CRNA's is .... How important is the choice of university/college we attend for anesthetist school in our professional career thereafter? Do better schools warrant greater opportunities in the future? I ask this because Im between to programs... one of which is fairly new, but close to home and clinicals where I currently work, and the other program is fairly mature but requires a "short" relocation and additional class. Also.. the newer institution is considerably cheaper. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Yes. It is projected that by 2017 all Nurse Anesthesia programs transition to doctorate degrees. Those who are CRNA's now will be "grandfathered" in, just like those with Bachelors or certificate degrees did many many years ago.

yes. You just spell out the letters... C R N A. Its an accronym for certified registered nurse anesthetist. Like when u say RN.

If you can get in a Associates program... do it. My reasoning for going through an Associates degree and then getting my BSN was the following: The BSN portion of studies is mostly directed towards community health, leadership in nursing, Health promotion, and the list goes on and on. You write allot of papers and pretty much thats what it comes down to. My idea is that by doing my associates, I could gain experience as an actual nurse while taking classes for my BSN. So by the time you get your BSN you will have a Bachelors + 1-1 1/2 years experience in the field. The end result is better i think. I graduated with a ADN in May of 2007, and while working for the last year gaining experience as a nurse, I managed to finish off my BSN this Summer 2008. Basically if I had taken the BSN route initially I would be graduating now with my BSN but would be a newbie with no experience. I think this route made sense for me. I do think you should not let it go after your ADN. Start your BSN as soon as possible to keep the school mentality in your head, as I did.

Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences A.S Nursing class of Spring 2007.... Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences B.S Nursing class of Summer 2008.... Hopefully.... Masters degree next....

Smiley, I work in the CVICU and its a well known fact to management that we are only there for the experience in order to apply to CRNA school. Other ICU's also get their share of CRNA applicants an acceptances but looking at the practice survey one institution gave me to fill out for the Anesthesia school application and can surely see why. Most objectives in the sheet were things I did daily in the CVICU. Swans, vasoactive drips (neo, epi, nitro, levo, dopa, etc) neuromuscular blockade drips (Nimbex) I was able to preety much fill out that I utilized these drips on a daily basis or atleast twice a week, except for nimbex, thats mostly monthly. The fact is our unit looses 5-10 nurses a year to CRNA school. Unlike any other unit in the hospital. Almost all newbies that come in... have anesthesia in their mind.

Well, its official. I turned in my application yesterday. I wish I could feel more confident, but I am actually feeling terrified. The program I applied to starts January 2009. I can't help but think of everything in my favor and those against me. Against me, would be my experience, barely 1 year now and 1 year and a half by the end of 2008. The pros would be my GPA (3.87), the fact that I took my associates in Nursing and Bachelors in Nursing classes at this same college where I applied. Faculty there knows me well, I had very good relationship with them, and they liked me. Still do perhaps. And some of these faculty members will be in the interview committee. I also work in the CVICU of my hospital, have exposure to swans and vasoactive drips everyday. Titrating up and down. But with all this my experience falls short of the ideal and after getting the news today that they had received over 500 applications already, with still 2 weeks before deadline, I cant help but feel pressure and doubt in my mind. I want in soooo bad. Oh.. almost forgot, if youre wondering about my GRE scores, I did not have to take it. My college does not require if your GPA is above 3.75. What do you guys think of my ranting?

They are worlds apart. Like apples and oranges. MSN is typically for those who would like to teach Nursing and MSA is for those who want to become an anesthetist. Its an advanced practice role where you administer anesthesia to patients either in the OR or at he bedside for an Epidural for example.

I share your concerns "Dawn7", after 16 weeks of training the unit bestowed in me, I imagine they would not be too thrilled either. With that, I entrusted one of my mentors who is supportive of continuing education to write one of the recommendation letters, and the other two required for the program will be from a professor I had during nursing school; he is currently a Coordinator for BSN courses at the college i intend to apply for Nurse Anesthesia, and was in the committee last year. And the last recommendation is from a CRNA as requested by the college. My point is, your unit doesn't have to know, nor does your nurse manager.

Well... thats about what I have going for me. 1 Year CVICU experience, a 3.87 GPA, and having taken both my ADN and BSN in the same place Im about to apply. At least my face is well known and my strengths are known among faculty members who are also part of the acceptance committee. Good luck to all that are currently applying, In the coming months lets post a thread on January 2009 acceptance.

Hi everyone! In my queries around anesthesia programs in my area, I have found that all require one year ICU experience in order to be eligible to apply. Although after speaking with the director of one of these programs, she clearly expressed that candidates with 2,3, 4 years are preferable. With that said, I do know a current SRNA that had only one year of nursing experience altogether, and this one year was in the CVICU, this encompassed her total nursing experience and yet was accepted into the program last year. Have you guys heard of candidates with simply one year "total" nursing experience being accepted and what have you heard in the subject? Thanks

Well, it can't hurt for you to take chemistry classes, this will not only help you with the anesthesia material itself while your in the program, but may also count in your favor while applying. With that said, many Nurse Anesthetist programs require certain chemistry classes while others do not. You have to check with the schools you intend to apply. Another good thing that may benefit you is getting your CCRN. Also, take your time to study some core ICU material and a great resource that was suggested to me was a book by Marino called "The ICU Book" just google it and it will pop up. Its great and will give you a core of ICU material necessary to become a good anesthetist. In top of all that, if during your interview they question you about knowledge based materials you will have a good understanding. Good luck!

Hi everyone, I have searched this forum for the last 2 hours and was unable to locate a thread that specifically talked about good study guides for "knowledge base" that may help in a CRNA interview. So I decided to ask the question: What do you suggest as good books or internet resources for one to study in order to be successful in the knowledge base portion of the interview? CCRN books? If thats the case which ones? Thanks

"Old battle axes" LOL! I had never heard that term before. In response to the thread, I too agree with your brother in law. i've been a nurse for just a year, and with that said, my experience is of-course limited, but some older nurses sometimes seem they want to make us feel dump and depreciate my work even while others including management seem pleased with my accomplishments. I fought hard to work where I do, and to see how some old school nurses talk about me and my "kind" is disappointing.

No Casey, you're not the only one that feels this way. I'm sure many feel the same, as I do at times, and just keep it to themselves. What can you do? Well... fortunately, nursing is career path that enables us to do a variety of work that does not encompass bedside care. This was one of the reasons I decided nursing was right for me. Early on, while deciding my career path I saw that if for any reason bedside care wasn't going to fulfill me in life, I could have the opportunity to do numerous different jobs within nursing, even jobs that did not require me to work holidays or weekends. For now I'm ok with direct patient care, but one day I may be fed up as you are. You may try different units, different specialties also. I work in an intensive care unit with 2:1 ratio, and when I got floated to a PCU floor with 4 patients I literally told myself if I ever had to work every single shift with 4 or more patients I would quickly reconsider my job. In all, your frustrations may actually work to your advantage, this may fuel your desire to look upwards and progress your career to an advanced practice such as NP, CRNA or even a leadership position. You can become an educator, an assistant nurse manager or something else of your liking. Some nurses become pharm reps and make a great deal amount of money. The bottom line is you can do so many different things from where you are now and there is no shame in stating that you are not pleased with your job. Yes we are depreciated and while the "Old nursing mentality" exist we will continue to be.

Hi everyone, I am a relatively new nurse in the CVICU of a major metropolitan area hospital. My patient had a TEE done in order to detect if MR was present. The cardiologist asked be to work up bubbles between two syringes and shoot them through the PICC line. I guess he wanted to see the micro bubbles going through the heart to detect some anomoly. I wanted to know what exactly he was looking for, and what this test would would proof? Just curiosity. Thanks Frankie