chansonsrna

Sleep....what is that? j/k. I have found that the body adapts to a change in sleep cycles after a short time (2 months). I have only done a couple of weeks of clinicals, but it's the very early mornings in clinical that get to some people (5:30 am for me). A classmate and I during the didactic portion of our program got used to the early mornings by going swimming at a gym a little after 5am every day. I also think the exercise helps with the "zombie like" state the OP had mentioned. Even in some afternoons we would do something, ie lift weights, play basketball, any sort of activity will help. One last key to sleep, I think, is to set yourself up to fall asleep fast. In didactic I never studied past 9pm, tried not to watch too much tv before bed (still did get trapped sometimes, making for short nights). Hope this helps someone.

Would get both palm (life drive which rocks the shazba) and laptop (I have a desktop, but several of my classmates have laptops and I wish I would have purchased instead) Whatever you get, do it before school starts and as a hint you may be able to contact your financial aid office and have the cost added onto your financial need for loans.

Well i'm about one year into school, so my didactic is nearly over (less than 3 weeks till clinical starts). Well, I don't think undergrad compares to the graduate level. When I was in undergrad I worked full time plus (nights) and went to school and did well.....Now I am not working and spend on average 12-14+ hours a day studying (counting in class time) 5 days a week so I don't have to study as much on weekends. Weekends I study 2-4 hours a day and take some days off completely. Sounds like a lot, but when you're not working school becomes your job. Well, that's my schedule, some study more some less, but from a volume standpoint it is amazing how much you learn in such a short time. Hope this helps.

I'd suggest going to mhaus.org could be helpful, are your other group members stumped as well?

Like having the clinical questions...I agree w/spinal would have to b/c need to block to T4 for C-section. Also good to blunt r/o autonomic hyperreflexia. Would also consider regional as my primary technique unless I had to convert to GA. If converting to general would use pentathol and rocuronium due to fast onset as NDMRS wouldn't want succs because may cause severe hyperkalemia. Definately monitor for s/s hyperreflexia, hypoventillation. Haven't hit clinicals yet, but best shot.

lol, the reference to TP was my poor stab at humor, which is another thing I fear I haven't had enough time to work on while in school....I did find the john wayne tp reference hilarious...never tried wax paper either hmmmm......

I concur...I miss life, and I don't just mean luxuries (ie shows, dinner out, 2 ply TP, etc). I also miss 6-7 hours of sleep, and seeing my wife. Still wouldn't trade places with anyone in the world. "Thank you sir may I have another"

To the OP congrats....Well I am 9 mos into my program Mt Marty (front loaded NA program in South Dakota) Surprises....how fast the human mind assimilates information what I mean is that I could have never fathomed the volume of information we absorb from lectures and reading. I also agree w/one of the other posters, you truly learn time management in a whole new way...(based on limited experience....though front loaded we do get a couple weeks of clinical in before we go full time in OR)...Other surprises include learning humility (especially when you find not smartest person in class b/c everyone is), fatigue, and an appreciation for the time spent with family. I have to commute every week to apartment near campus and come home to my wife and dogs on the weekends, which gets old quickly. Don't get me wrong though I ABSOLUTELY love the learning process and wouldn't trade it for the world

Nitecap, Great Post!.....2nd semester in at Mount Marty College in the frozen tundra of South Dakota...I find that I just keep coming here and reading, and not contributing. I will definately make a mental note to contribute more (I feel like info from this forum has been invaluable not only in getting this program, but also surviving.....guess I'm just saying thanks to all contributors ie Yoga, Kevin etc.) Ok, down to business..... I now enjoy Bud Select, when I have time. When I had money I enjoyed scotch. Done in 2/2008....even after the worst tests/experiences from the past semester I still thank God for the opportunity I've been given and for the support of my wife! (I'm sure those who are married with or without children can vouch)

I must say about six months in now.:stone Financial aid is a must to ANYONE before becoming unemployed (the likelihood of having time to work in school is minimal at best). A good idea is to pay down debt ie cars, credit cards etc. I went on a vacation with my wife, which touches on another point: enjoy your time with friends and family as much as possible. This is especially true if your school is in a different city than your family or spouse. Lastly, if you just can't get enough education and and really feel the need to do course work I would suggest organic chem if it wasn't a prereq, and touching up on physiology. Personally, I would forego trying to study anything, you will get more than enough studying in soon enough.:deadhorse

Love this strand....though old it's amazing how the hits keep coming.... MTBFU- My toof be ****ed up (actually complaint from patient with one carrie filled tooth) Funk in the junk (use your imagination)

anes-thanks for your assistance!

Just curious if anyone has any links to (free) online video tutorials on CVC/Epidural/AL etc placement. Tried a site and google search without luck, didn't happen to see it in any of the links in this forum. Also tried a couple of manufacturer websites ie Cook.

Nia, I would not be terribly concerned as of yet that the market is completely saturated. What you should note is what was said "there are 2 CRNAs licensed in NC for every OR suite"....this doesn't mean that there are physically 2 CRNAs trying to work for every suite. Some people are licensed in multiple states, and may not even be practicing in NC. Becoming a CRNA is a wonderful career decision (not implying that it's an easy road for which my fellow S/CRNAs will vouch), don't let anything like this intimidate you.

I know this is an older post, but someone asked about study requirements in school. Started last week and now seem to understand that whole "staggering amount of information to assimilate concept." Well, back to the books.