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Hi, I am also from NY (originally). I have been looking into Citrus County, Florida and called one of their hospitals. They quoted me $21.50 per hour for 10 years of experience (mostly in critical care), BSN, ACLS, & PALS. I was making that 8 years ago. If you are thinking of moving there, I would try to buy some land or real estate NOW. Like the rest of Florida, real estate prices are climbing like crazy. Taxes on your house will be approximately 2% - 2.5% of the purchase price of your house. Not cheap. Since you are in NY, you are probably used to the high taxes and climbing real estate prices (depending on where you live in NY, of course). From what I have heard, the pay in all of Florida is very low compared to the cost of living. Good luck in your relocation.

I personally swear by the Dansko Clogs. Pricey, but well worth it if they fit your feet correctly. They will be about $115, but you may find a store that will give you a professional discount of 10% or so. I would rather spend the money on a pair of comfy shoes that I can wear for years, than buy a few pairs of cheap shoes that KILL my feet every day. I tried Klogs, Birkenstocks, and all kinds of other shoes over the last 10 years, and Dansko's are the best for me.

Jennie, Congratulations on getting into the ICU after being upfront about your plans for CRNA school. I completely agree wth your theory that they will have a good nurse working in their unit for a year or two, and you get the benefit of the experience. That is what I pointed out to the one manager that I interviewed with, and she did not seem to agree with this. I also agree with your advice about interviewing. In the interview, talk about wanting to further your education, but maybe state that you haven't decided on a specialty and also maybe make is seem like you might pursue the Master's part time while continuing to work at the unit. Also, when interviewing, focus on your desire to get certified in ACLS, PALS, CCRN, be on committees, take extra classes, etc. To all those new RN's wanting to get into an ICU just for the experience to apply to CRNA school; learn how to work the system. Get into the ICU for the experience and do what you need to do to get your goals accomplished. No one else is going to live your life, pursue your individual career path, or pay your bills. Do what you need to do and don't worry about hurting feelings. Of course, you don't ever want to burn ANY bridges. You never know when you will need a reference or job, and you never know who knows who.

Just my personal advice: DO NOT tell your manager when interviewing in an ICU that you plan on applying to to CRNA school. I am a firm believer in being very direct and up front with your goals and plans for a future in nursing. I am a very straightforward person, sometimes too much so. However, this has caused me trouble in the past. The first time I interviewed to be cross trained in the SICU at my hospital, I told the SICU manager my plans for CRNA school. She was very hesitant to hire me because of this, but she took a chance on me anyway. I think they happened to be very short staffed at the time. I wound up leaving that hospital for about a year and returned. I decided to reinterview in the same SICU that I had already worked, but there was a very new and young manager. I once again was very upfront about my goals and why I wanted to return to the SICU. She stated that she was "very hesitant" to hire me because I would be leaving in 1.5 to 2 years. I asked her how many of her new nurses left after only one year, and most of them were new grads. She didn't answer my question. It seemed as if she was also upset at the fact that I did not want to be an ICU nurse just for the sheer pleasure in it! I basically told her that I wanted to get back into the SICU just to get more recent SICU experience in order to apply to school. I couldn't believe it, because I had great references from charge nurses in that same SICU, and I had already been working in that hospital, so I knew all the paperwork, nurses, support staff, docs, had my BLS, PALS, ACLS, critical care course, and had 2 years of ICU experience. Their financial and time investment in me would have been minimal. It seemed like they did not want to hire me because I was upfront about my goals and leaving in 1.5 to 2 years to pursue my CRNA schooling. Even more ironic, is that this was a Level I Teaching hospital! After this interview, I decided that I would rather not work for someone like that. She told me to call her a few days later to find out what she decided. I never called her to find out and I never heard from her. So, I just recently started in another teaching hospital SICU. On this interview, I was not as up front about my goals. I did not come straight out and lie about my goals, but I made a more general statement about pursing a Master's Degree. They did not ask what specific kind and I did not offer it up. I did ask them if they would support me if I chose to pursue a Master's Degree, and they of course said yes. I planted the idea of pursuing higher nursing education without being specific. I hated to do it, but I couldn't afford to not get the job and the recent ICU experience prior to apply to CRNA school. At least this way, in 6 months, when I asked for 5 or 6 references from my manager and/or educator, they won't be surprised that I am applying to school. If they do say something negative, I can always say that I did mention pursuing a master's degree in my initial job interview, and that they said they would support me in my pursuit. So, basically, just CYA when interviewing. Especially if you are from a smaller area where there aren't many options in applying to different hospitals. Good luck.

I have been an RN for 10 years now, and didn't even know what a CRNA was until I had been nursing for 4 years. I have worked a lot in a really great Level I trauma teaching hospital, where the anesthesia attendings just LOVE to teach anyone, including the PACU nurses. I have learned so much spent a bunch of time in the OR with the anesthesia teams. It inspired me to work towards this amazing career. We all deal with difficult people in every aspect of life, including any job that we do. Whether it is nursing or not. As far as "nursing", what is "nursing" anyway? If a nurse really likes bedside nursing and has no desire to further their education, career, or financial stability, then I would recommend that they keep at it. Otherwise, I think becoming a CRNA would be a great choice. One of the main things that keeps me positive about pursuing this career choice, is that I have spoken to and followed many CRNA's, and not one person discouraged me from doing it. All I have received is encouragement from CRNA's regarding the profession. Not one person has said that I should not pursue it and everyone has said that, although it is a long and hard road to get there, it is very well worth it in the end. Good luck with your choice.

Hi, Thanks for your input. Of course, I would not be bringing this up in my interviews, which is why I am asking the question on this forum. School, of course, will take up most to all of my time. I totally understand the time commitment of a demanding graduate program. I was in my BSN program taking 50+ credits in one year while my husband was in law school putting in an average of 80-100 hours a week between class, studying, working and commuting. So, unfortunately, both my husband and I know first hand what it is like to put a family through this type of commitment. On the positive side, he is also very understanding of the time commitment that I will be putting into school. What program do you attend?

Just a brief intro. I am a RN/BSN who has been researching CRNA schools on and off for the past 5 years. For one reason or another, it was not the right time to start applying, but now it is. I am hoping to start school in 2006 or 2007. I have been an RN for 10 years, with most of my experience at a teaching hospital/Level I trauma center PACU, SICU and MICU. I have recently taken 9 months off of nursing, but am starting back next week at a teaching hospital SICU (mostly cardiothoracic). I am also taking a 4 credit "Inorganic, Organic, and Biochemistry" class this semester, as a refresher. I am looking at many different schools and am willing to relocate pretty much anywhere, although some places are more desirable than others. From reading these boards, it seems that most people recommend going to a program that fits your individual needs and learning style. Not just going to any program that accepts you. I totally agree with this, so I am trying to find a program that will fit my family. I will be relocating with my husband and 2 small children, who are now 16 months old and almost 3 years old. My husband will either find a job as an attorney or be a stay at home dad while I am in school. Depends on what state we go to (his ability to practice law differs by state), cost of school, cost of living, proximity of family to help, etc. My question is: Are there any CRNA schools that are more family friendly than others? I am not looking for an "easier" program, just one that is a little more understanding of family issues than others. Maybe one that doesn't require as much call, overnights, weekends, holidays, etc. Does any one have any experiences with specific schools they have attended or heard of, whether they are family friendly or family unfriendly? Thanks