SN2014

Following, in the process of finishing up my application. I don't have my hopes up in that this is one of the top 10 CRNA schools in the nation. My stats are acceptable but not outstanding. My experience is not bad. 2 years level II trauma SICU (still currently working there- will be 3 yrs ICU by time of start), 2 years telemetry med surg and Intermediate care. I have ACLS, BLS, PALS, CCRN. I have a feeling this school is looking for high GPAs/GRE scores and although my GPA is acceptable it's nothing to brag about. I take the GRE in about two weeks and have been studying hard and not excited about it. lol.. Good luck everyone!

Following, in the process of finishing up my application. I don't have my hopes up in that this is one of the top 10 CRNA schools in the nation. My stats are acceptable but not outstanding. My experience is not bad. 2 years level II trauma SICU (still currently working there- will be 3 yrs ICU by time of start), 2 years telemetry med surg and Intermediate care. I have ACLS, BLS, PALS, CCRN. I have a feeling this school is looking for high GPAs/GRE scores and although my GPA is acceptable it's nothing to brag about. I take the GRE in about two weeks and have been studying hard and not excited about it. lol.. Good luck everyone!

I know someone who I work with who is in the program and likes it. The only bad thing I've heard is that you can only get what's equivalent to a 3.0 gpa due to their pass/fail system. This is fine, but if you want to continue on into a graduate program that's competitive like some CRNA and NP schools, you may not be considered a top applicant. 3.0 gpa is often the minimum accepted for some graduate level programs. So you may qualify by meeting the bare minimum, but you also may be selling yourself short. Really depends on your future goals and if you're disciplined enough to get on and pace yourself to get the coursework done.

They've said this since I began nursing school in 2011. I graduated in 2014 with a RN nursing diploma. Had no issue at all finding a job. Many of the new nurses at my current place of employment have just an associates. It is only a problem if you'd want to work at a magnet hospital. They require BSN degrees. Research facilities in your area beforehand to see if that's something that could hold you back. I've since obtained my BSN to futher my education. However, it hasn't made a difference in my job or salary, just my debt!

The first step in accomplishing something is telling yourself your can. IMO, I wouldn't give up. You're almost done! There are a million different things you can do as a nurse that is not as stressful as an acute care bedside nurse. Consider addiction, mental health center, psych, home health, free standing surgery center, hospice, doctor or surgeon's offices, school nurse, public health center nurse, infusions, sales rep, etc. Being thrown to the wolves, so to speak, in an acute care setting is enough to make anyone second guess what they're doing some times and want to pull their hair out. There's a reason why you chose nursing in particular.. and you've already gotten this far. You don't have to do what you're doing now for clinicals. Hang in there. Best of luck with whatever you choose.

Yes it's possible. Try to stay calm, study, and take care of yourself. If you are that stressed and having bad thoughts there's also no shame in seeing your primary care doc regarding it. During nursing school I was also very stressed and dealing with many home issues. I got on an SSRI from my PCP and there's no shame in that. Consider what way you study best. Is it in the quiet? If so visit the library or go to a park to review. Is it in groups? Get together with a few people from class. Reading? Flashcards? Consider what works best for you and how you retain knowledge. Don't try to wait until last minute to cram. Don't over study (this sounds sill but at one point over-studying just doesn't soak in and only increases panic). Remember that you won't retain knowledge while panicking. Remember to take care of yourself. Eat a good meal and get good rest the night before the exam (take a benadryl or melatonin if you need to). Wake up and eat a good breakfast. Remember to relax and breathe. You are passing now. I know how stress inducing it is to sit at that cut off. I found myself in your situation at times in my program as well. Matter of fact, a lot of my fellow classmates did as well and felt the same exact way. I ended up adopting a "Cs get degrees" saying... lol. Try to relax, see your pcp if your need to. If your school lets you review after tests, do so. Mine gave the option to challenge questions and provide referenced rationale. (If you can, do this as well.. even if it's a long shot. Time wasted challenging a question is better than not passing by One of my friends ended up failing because she was 77.7% and they do not round up. She started the semester again with the next group and graduated. I'm not saying it to worry you but if it would happen to work out that way I'm here to tell you all over your accomplishments will not be going down the drain. You can continue on after. My friend did, as well as a few others from my initial accepted class and guess what? They now have the same degree and are making the same as me. Don't let this discourage you let it fuel your fire to focus. You can do this! You are doing it. You've made it this far and you are passing now. You will be successful. Hang in there and the best of luck! I can't stress enough, remember to take care of yourself! Make "you" as much of a priority as your schooling. You got this!

Make sure they are CCNE or ACEN accredited. This is really the most important thing. I'd also suggest against Western Governors University or any other school that operates on a pass/fail system. (Not for everyone just for your specifically based on your above stated goals) The way that WGU works is by either passing or failing. There's no A, B, C, etc., grading system. What this means is that your GPA can only amount to a total of a 3.0. This is what is considered to be the minimum acceptance cut off for many graduate level programs. You may be considered as an applicant but it won't necessarily make you a stand out applicant. I was initially attracted to WGU's low cost and potential for quick completion. After contacting a few graduate schools that I was interested in and asking about the pass/fail equivalent GPA of 3.0 they strongly discouraged it. I ended up choosing Jacksonville University's RN to BSN program and am happy with my decision. A few of my co-workers are attending or have attended a local state college, Daytona State, that seems pretty easy as regards to coursework. They have also recently changed to an all online system. It's also very cheap compared to JU. I don't know if you care what type of college it is that you go to but that would be a good option. You could essentially go to an online program in any state. I'd recommending researching those in your state first. You can typically get lower in-state tuition rates. Contact the office of admissions. Ask if they are CCNE or ACEN accredited. Ask if they have GPA or pass/fail system in place (most will be GPA). This is important for most graduate level programs to stand out in a flooded market of applicants. Make sure that it is a 100% online program. Some advertise as online but actually require some campus time. They fail to put in the advertisement. You can also send an unofficial copy of your transcript(s) and they can tell you how long the program would be in total for you. This can differ based on the amount of credits you currently have and the program you apply to. For example someone who is applying with a nursing diploma may have less credit hours and have to take more courses, such as some of the general education courses that an associate's degree applicant already completed as a part of their program. If that makes sense. Anywho, I hope this information was helpful! Good luck in your future studies!

What type of job are you applying for?

Hi I am wondering how those of you who are parents were able, financially, to go to CRNA school. Did your significant other support you during? Did you take out cost of living on loans? I know that during CRNA school you cannot work. How do you afford losing an income? Even if my spouse works overtime it won't make up for the loss of my salary. He's all for me going... but I'm just trying to figure out how it's even feasible. Thank you in advance!

Thank you

Hi! I'm looking for a(or more than one) CRNA to ask a few questions. I am currently writing a paper for one of my classes (for BSN)... I have only a few questions that I need to ask someone in my "long-term goal field", which is to be a CRNA. Unfortunately I do not personally know any CRNAs at this time... If you don't mind helping... I'd appreciate it greatly. The questions are as follows: 1. How long did it take you personally to complete school? 2. Did you find it difficult to obtain a job after completion of the program/certification? How is job availability? 3. What is the average starting salary? How were benefits/tuition re-imbursement etc. offerings during the interview processes? 4. Do you find that there is potential for growth in the field? 5. What tips do you have for studying, managing time, and reducing stress? 6. What tips do you have for making yourself a successful candidate for CRNA school? Seeing that they are competitive programs Thank you so much for any input.. I appreciate it!!!

Get something, anything, with a reasonable monthly payment. I know so many people, including myself, who went out and bought an new vehicle out of school, now with whopping monthly payments... not worth it.

It sounds like she may need a head CT and/or MRI to r/o stroke....

I would have, too. However, it was done during the day... I picked up an hour after it was given, on night shift. There's no MD present at night, just an on-call physician (who isn't the one who ordered the bolus).

If you know you want to be a RN, go straight for RN. If you are looking for the quicker way, get your associates or diploma first, then work as a RN while obtaining your BSN. Good luck

Never be afraid to ask for help/ask questions. Even the most experienced nurses have questions! Good luck!

You will likely not even be considered for an ICU position unless it is through a RN Intern/Grad program. Sure, it doesn't hurt to apply... but don't count on it. If you do not find the position you prefer I suggest applying for a telemetry floor, and get your 1 year of experience in. They're more likely to accept new grads, and having 1 year of tele experience will help you gain your skills and confidence as new nurse. Then after your 1 year, apply for specialty. Good Luck!

The NCLEX content will not vary by state. Like others had stated, the BON in which you apply, varies. Apply for the Temporary Practice Permit when you do apply for your license. It is possible... but do not get frustrated if you do not get an interview/job right away. You will be limited, the state you are moving to will have no idea about your school of nursing, or types of nurses that graduate from your SON. Focus on your resume.. have someone review it. Do mock interviews with your husbands help, know what to say. Apply for RN Intern/New grad programs as apposed to RN positions. Be flexible. You may not get to work at the ideal hospital of your choosing right away. Apply at many hospitals in the area, do your research about the place you will be interviewing at. (They will ask why here?) Good luck! Be patient

I work med/surg/tele nights. I usually have 7 patients. Acuity doesn't matter: I can have 1 person on a Cardizem drip, 1 on a heparin drip, 1 paraplegic total care on isolation, 1 prepping for a colonoscopy pooping every 3 seconds, 2 confused as hell trying to get OOB (1 of which is getting blood and trying to rip out his IV and foley), and 1 ETOH'r on his call light every 3 seconds asking for narcotics.. Acuity never matters The CNA/techs often have 15-20pts so they are rarely available (they usually are only there to take vitals)

Heparin - does it have to be ran completely by itself? Let's say the pt is on a heparin drip and is supposed to be getting 5ml/hr Is it safe to run it concurrently? Like with NS in line A at 25 ml/hr and the heparin in line B @ 5ml/hr? Or is it safe to run in 2 separate pumps at the Y site? One with heparin only and one with NS only? No matter if you are running it alone, or concurrent, or at a Y site.. aren't you only getting the 5ml of heparin?

& urine output was adequate until the 1/2 NS bolus

Starting at day 2, the patient was then hypertensive w/ a systolic BP remaining above 160, to where they even put him on 2.5mg IV Push vasotec Q6 scheduled. No low bp, WBC wnl. Day 1 NA was 152 Day of 1/2NS bolus NA was 148

Because the dextrose is quickly metabolized in the body.. leaving behind 1/2 ns... that makes sense.. But what about the 1/2 NS bolus @999?

The person was originally dehydrated (hypovolemic) and hypernatremic. The first day the MD wanted D5 1/2 NS running at 84 .The 2nd day she switched the fluids to 1/2 NS @ 64 3rd day 1/2NS @20 4th day decided to bolus him with a 1L bag of 1/2 NS @999. Some of those orders I questioned.. I know that I am not a doctor.. but I am just trying to understand the rationale. Wouldn't a common fluid management of hypovolemic hypernatremia be a 1 L bolus of NS or LR ( an isotonic fluid), then gradual replacement w/ .45 NS to correct the hypernatremia ? (Without rapid shift of electrolytes) ? Isn't D51/2NS hypertonic? Is that appropriate? Have you ever heard of/gave a 1L .45 NS bolus @999ml/hr? In what situations would that be applicable? Wouldn't that cause a rapid shift in electrolytes? Isn't that risky? (Increased risk of cerebral edema, seizures, etc.) I don't have much experience but have never heard of 1/2 NS being ran at 999.. neither did my supervisor or co-workers. Trying to understand the rationales/thought processes. Input?

Thanks!! This is definitely helpful!