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Thanks for this bit of information. I took my test on Jan. 8th and got all 170 questions and walked out feeling like I failed for sure. The only that thing that is giving me a little encouragement is that I felt the same way both times we had to take the SEE exam and ended up doing fine on both. I have never felt the way I do now (hard to explain) while waiting for test results, hopefully the results come before I get an ulcer or a MI. Thanks to all of you who posted info on this thread

My advice would be to transfer to an ICU setting ASAP if your want to be looked at as a competitive applicant by CRNA programs. This worked for me (started CRNA School today) I was an ER nurse and had frequent exposure to vents and vasoactive gttps as well. However, when I transferred to CSU (open heart ICU) I learned every aspect of critical care on a much higher level. The problem with ER experience is that is you have too many patients and are too task oriented to really stop and think about the big picture of what's going on with your patient. Also, the ED doctor calls all the shots in contrast to ICU where a nurse usually works with complex standing order sets that requires data interpretation, good physical assessment skills and most of all great critical thinking skills. You may or may not agree with my opinion on this but remember that all CRNAs were once RNs, and the vast majority of them were ICU nurses and have similar opinions as me. I am glad that I was an ER nurse I learned how to put an IV almost anywhere and how to work codes with the best of them, but ICU is the way to go if you realy want to be a CRNA. Good luck with whatever you choose .

search gaswork.com

I allways use this device every time I pull a sheath. Never had a problem. It's an easy way to apply just enough pressure to achieve hemostasis while not hurting your patient. Most other nurses I have observed and even learned from at one time apply too much pressure. My patients allways thank me for being gentle. The ones that has caths before usually remark about how my method is much more comfortable than what they had the last time. Hope this helps

Check the fine print on this loan. It is a up to the cost of education loan which the school determines the amount you can borrow based on the yearly estimated cost of attendance. In contrast, the Salie Mae Tuition Answer loan does not have to be school certified and you can borrow up to 40K per year on top of other money borrowed, up to the costs of attendance from other loans(with much higher intrest of course). If you read this entire thread it all starts to make sense. Gook luck everyone!

While were on this topic, I will request some opinions on my situation. I only applied to two programs. The first one I interviewed at is my second choice school. I was accepted, and I formally accepted the invitation a week later along with a check for 1,000 dollars to secure my position. I only had a small window to accept or decline this position. I did this to secure a position because I had not been able to apply to my first school choice at that time. I had my interview at my first choice school yesterday and it went great. I should no within two weeks if I’m accepted or not. Before this post was even started I was considering the ethical implications of this because I’m not sure if it is too late for an alternate to be accepted to the program if I withdraw(program starts in Jan 2007). I have accepted the fact that I will have to forfeit the 1,000 dollars but it’s worth it to me to get my first choice if I’m accepted. I would guess that many other CRNA applicants have found themselves in similar situations, any thoughts are appreciated.

Thank all of you for your responses. Yesterday I attended the Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetist (FANA) annual spring meeting as a SRNA. I was able to meet a group of second year students at Barry and attend a difficult airway workshop with them. They all gave me great advice and urged me to read the required O Chem. textbook from front to cover because I will be doing that when school starts anyway and to review basic chemistry concepts. This was a great opportunity for me to attend this meeting before I started school and it great me some great insight on all the current political and practical issues of anesthesia. In addition it taught me how important political issues shape the future of CRNA practice and how important it is to be involved in the AANA at the national and state level I would recommend any student to attend one of these meetings if possible. For me it was just as easy as calling my program director and asking for permission to do so. Thanks again for all the great advice.

I need some advice from a current CRNA and/or SRNA who has already been through and survived the chemistry portion of a CRNA program. I will be starting in the CRNA program at Barry University in Jan. 2007. I'm trying to determine if taking Organic Chem. 1 this fall would be beneficial. I have taken Chem. 1 and 2 so far and I'm currently attempting to teach myself Organic Chem. from reading. I have already ordered the textbook that we will be using in the CRNA program(General, Organic, And Biochemistry by Katherine J. Denniston; Joseph J. Topping; Robert L. Caret) and will be reading ahead in that as well. I have heard that the Biochem. class is very difficult and that many people have been dropped from the program due to not passing this class. Failing is not an option for me so I want to be as well prepared as possible. I have been reading posts on the site for years and have seen over and over that everything I need to know will be taught within the program and that the months preceding the start of the program should be used to relax. What are your thoughts?

IMHO-- Don't stress about it too much. I tried to read M&M prior to start, but couldn't keep my mind on it (let alone understand). They'll come at you fast and hard in Jan, but you can get everything you need once classes actually start. I would enjoy your time now (and maybe do a little overtime). I did take the pre-course. I didn't like spending $1000 on it, but the info was good, kindof got you thinking in that direction and just in general opened the ideas. I also was of the opinion that if I needed help at some point during the program, I didn't want them to be able to say, "well didn't you take the pre-course?" Or imply that I wasn't committed because I didn't want to spend the money. However, I knew quite a few students that didn't take it and they didn't seem to be at a loss. For me, I'm glad I took it. Good luck to you. Enjoy your last few months before it starts. The staff is great for the most part, caring, helpful and knowledgeable. It's tough, it's intimidating. But just put one foot in front of the other. One exam to the next. And 28 months will go by before you know it. Thanks for the reply, one of my concerns is that I have not taken Organic or Biochem. I did really well in Intro to Chem, Chem 1, and Chem 2. Has anyone thats allready taken the Chemistry portion of a CRNA program noticed a big difference between the students that had allready taken Organic or Biochem verses the ones who didn't ?

I just found out that I was accepted to Barry University and will be starting in Jan. I would like advice about preparing for the first semester courses. I have six months to read and review any materials that would help me. I want to be able to focus on material relevant to this program. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.