CCRN_CSC_0710

I really like Quizlet as well. You can copy pictures into it too so you can study diagrams. Towards the end of didactic I started studying in 30 minute sessions--30 minute intense studying followed by a 5 minute break. After 2ish hours I'd take a 15 minute break and after 4 hours a 30-60 minute break for a meal. This worked very well for me instead of 8 hours straight. ETA: my classmates would divide up the lectures to spend less time making index cards and more time studying them.

In July I averaged 45 hours a week in clinical, then 35 of studying (~5 a night, even week nights). August average was 62 hours a week, still studying about 35 a week (more on Saturday/Sunday). TBD what September will bring.

That's perfect. I wore a light colored suit and flats because I'm incapable of walking in heels, but most people were in heels. Most men were in suits with jackets and ties, if that gives you any idea. Good luck!

I have no desire to place Foley's anymore, but in clinical I inserted more NGs (not counting OGs) in my first month than I did in 5 years as a CVICU RN. The skills you use as a CRNA are so much different (and more advanced) than the skills you use as a RN. I'll gladly lose my ability to insert a Flexiseal if that means I can insert epidurals.

If you want to be a CRNA, don't waste your money on another degree. It won't improve admission chances. As far as shadowing, contact the anesthesia department at your hospital and see what they say. That's usually the easiest way to shadow.

You might want to stay as an RN. I've never met someone with 6 on 6 off.

Not a single person in my class has an MSN.

I'd sugggest contacting the program director especially since you already know which specific schools you want to apply to. I remember attending an information session when I was applying and someone asked this question, and the program director said it would not count, but I don't think it hurts to ask.

To be honest every student has those bad days and buyer's remorse. CRNA school sucks to put it bluntly. Right now all you can do is work hard and become a CRNA. I chose my school based on location and what was best for my husband. The cost of living here is low and my clinical sites are great.

A 3.5 is really not that bad. What was your BSN GPA? I had a classmate who had like a 2.5 in her bio degree and then a 3.8 in nursing school. She had a lot of experience (8 years in the ICU) but she got in the first time she applied. If your schools require microbio I would retake it. However, a good GRE and a few years of solid CVICU experience should be fine. Get your CCRN and maybe CSC and CMC.

I'd personally take the one I'm interested in more. We have many people in my program with only medical ICU backgrounds. I also feel like if you're not interested in CVICU you (no offense intended!) won't be a very good nurse. We had a nurse who switched to our CVICU just for CRNA school and it was very obvious from the beginning she was not a good fit, but when she transferred to the neuro ICU she quickly became one of the best nurses and is now in CRNA school somewhere.

One of my classmates had a C in organic chemistry and applied anyways, but was not accepted (nor even granted an interview) the first time, and our program told her that was why because she did not meet the minimum requirements. She retook that one class at a university and was accepted the following year.

A lot of the "post masters CRNA" programs you're referring to are, more likely than not, programs for a DNP for people who are already CRNAs (i.e. have a master's in anesthesia). An NP in all of the programs I looked at would have to take the exact same courses as I would, making the program just as long and expensive.

Was the acetaminophen scheduled or PRN?

I'd say go for whichever has the best money/lifestyle/etc. We have nurses from all types of ICU in each class for my program. 25% of my class has a neuro background. My personal opinion would be the transplant ICU just because it sounds more fun with sicker patients and I love anything SICU related.