Things to Do & Don't for successful SRNA

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My program starts in Jan 2008. I need advise from SRNAs like what things to do and don't to be a successful SRNA like How much time I should spend to study every day. tips to balance study and clinicals. Any advice will be highly appereciated.:idea:

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

I second this post:up:

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I have a third on this as well. Would appreciate any suggestions or wisdom from those ahead on the [banana]battlefield![/banana]

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Specializes in Trauma/Surgical ICU, L&D.

Well, I had a good first semester (14 credits/no clinical) here's my advice....

First, get your financial and personal affairs in order before you start (the less you have to stress about the better)

Next, realize that some things you are going to have to let go (you are not going to be able to do it all....laundry might wait....house will not be spotless...it's okay....and let people help you)

Third, if you haven't taked chemistry in awhile, get a good general text and review general terms and concepts (I used Stoker) it will help you tons!!!

As for studying hours/tips...start organized and stay organized...don't get behind. I studied an average of about 3-4h hours per day...some did more...some less. It really depends on your abilities and the intensity of your program.

I started out using notecards but ended up with TONS of them and it got really old. I found it more usefull to make charts, paste important graphs or pics, and retype my notes into a personal study guide...it condensed th

e info/helped me memorize it/ and gave me a good reference for what I'll need to reveiw later.

Finally, take care of yourself!!!!! Have fun, exercise, maintain relationships, and have a "non-school" life. It's crutial!!! And don't be surprized if you have a "freak-out" moment.... you will be stressed, sometimes life will really suck...but it'll will pass and you'll make it through!!! Also, get in touch with an upper-classman, they can offer great advice specific to your program. If they don't give you a mentor, find out who the class president is and call/email them. Good luck, you'll do great!!!! Congrats for making it this far:balloons:

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1. Come ready to focus- get the outside distractions taken care of as much as possible.

2. Come with a positive, open mind. Can the judgements, complaints, and negativity- don't buy into the "poor me" attitude. There are no victims in anesthesia school, only volunteers.

3. Come prepared to work hard and then work even harder.

4. Don't be a clock watcher in clinical- seek every opportunity to do the tough, challenging cases as a student.

5. Read and prepare for cases- then communicate with your instructor; positively, professionally, and precisely.

6. Your clinical instructor can not read your mind- if you do not communicate your preparation, plan and understanding of things- they will assume that you don't know, don't care, or don't notice.

7. Check the attitude at the door- no CRNA "owes" you- yes you pay tuition but that does not entitle you to anything beyond the opportunity to study and work hard in an accredited program in preparation to joining a great profession.

8. Be prepared to give back to the profession, it is not "all about you".

9. You will have great days and you will have bad days but do the best you can everyday and then improve on today for tomorrow.

:welcome:

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

As regards buttering up mentors at Clinical, I quote Homer: "Mmmm, donuts...."

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Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, Oncology.
My program starts in Jan 2008. I need advise from SRNAs like what things to do and don't to be a successful SRNA like How much time I should spend to study every day. tips to balance study and clinicals. Any advice will be highly appereciated.:idea:

Starting in January 2008, where? I just finished my first year and the hardest semester so far was the past fall. This break is soooooooooo nice... My advice would be:

1. Whatever great nurse you were got you to CRNA school. So now it is time to put your big head and your pride and unit attitude in your back pocket never to be taken out until you graduate! Seriously, people have been kicked out of programs due to their "attitude".

2. Your favorite past time reading should be "Clinical Anesthesiology" by Morgan & Mikhail. Really...

3. Have a life! Keep your most important friends close to you. You need an avenue to for decompression. I have a friend who lives near me and I visit her with a cup of Startbucks after most clinical days before going home just so I can wind down!

4. I just cleaned my house after 2 months of only vacuuming right before the holidays. It is OK! A clean house won't grant you an MSN in Anesthesia!

5. If you have kids, prepare them to the new rules. When mommy or daddy is studying don't bother her/him. You'll lose a day of video games. That usually straightens them right out!

6. Make friends at school that you get along with. They'll be your study partners, misery sharers, and story listeners. Because there is only so many intubation stories your spouse and family can stand listening to. And my husband is an RN, even he got sick of it.

7. Nobody will understand how hard this program is. When they hear a Master's program they think it is intense. No this is not intense, it is exhausting. I am talking fever of unknown origin, unending malaise, constant brain congestion. Stock up on Excedrin, Tylenol, and Prevacid!!!

8. They say it is alll worth it in the end. Can't wait till the end.

Hmmmmm... There is so much more but this will get you started...

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Great advice by the posters before me I would like to add one piece of advice.

Stay off your directors radar. Go to class and keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth closed. Do not complain especially in clinicals because it will always get back to the director or clinical coordinator.

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I Thank you all for the great advise and words of wisdom. Its wonderful to hear form you all. Its been a boost to me after reading your posts. I believe its not only going help me but also others who are going to start their programs in 2008. There are many students who are kicked out of school because of mismanagement of their affairs. I welcome more advise from SRNAs which will be of great help to all of us. Again I thank you for the great posts.

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Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, Oncology.
I Thank you all for the great advise and words of wisdom. Its wonderful to hear form you all. Its been a boost to me after reading your posts. I believe its not only going help me but also others who are going to start their programs in 2008. There are many students who are kicked out of school because of mismanagement of their affairs. I welcome more advise from SRNAs which will be of great help to all of us. Again I thank you for the great posts.

So again, what school?

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So again, what school?

Sorry, I missed to answer your question. Thomas Jefferson University - Philadelphia

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Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, Oncology.
Sorry, I missed to answer your question. Thomas Jefferson University - Philadelphia

I am at Drexel in Philadelphia.

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