UNE SRNA 2020 COHORT

Nursing Students SRNA

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Specializes in CVICU, MICU, SICU.

Hi All!

We decided to start a small forum for those of us going to UNE starting in May (I think the 20th). Congrats to everyone! This has been such roller coaster- but alas- we all got in. I live in Maine, went to UNE Portland campus for my undergrad- so I'm really familiar with the area. The purpose of this thread is to get to know who we will be spending the next two years with, and share information that might help this transition go more smoothly.

Me- my name is Carla- I live and work in Maine. I did travel nursing in New England for a few years so many of the hospitals on our clinical list I have worked at. I live about an hour south of Portland now, but lived in the city for about ten years. If you're looking for places to live and want to run it by someone who is familiar with the area, I am happy to help.

Also- if your friends and family are looking for ways to financially help you- may i suggest gift cards to Hannaford, our local grocery chain. Food prices aren't insane here, but they are not exactly low. There is a hannaford (or two) in most towns you will choose to live in, and their selection is pretty good.

I look forward to meeting and working with all of you!

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Specializes in CCRN, Transplant ICU.

Hello All!

my name is Aimee and I’m from WI but travel nursed on up to New England from 2018 to present. I am excited to start the CRNA program at UNE. Only 40 more shifts!

Here’s some info I learned through calling/emailing UNE And from the grapevine (I have a few friends in the program).

Fafsa 2020-2021 school year needs to be filled out. Financial Aid awards are in April.

Per AJ Wallner: Orientation starts May 26-27 and classes start immediately following. So turns out our “8 months” of 39 grad diadactic is really only 7.

People in the program suggested getting an IPad and pencil and downloading the app Notably. With it you can convert powerpoints to pdfs and then take notes on them as there’s just such a volume of material to wade through printing will be ridiculous.

Most books are passed on through digital books. I may rent my own though as I work better that way.

Clinicals: you choose your top 3 places for primary site but ancillary sites you have no say. The D.C./Maryland sites are your choice only...they won’t just place you there.

One of the current students said we should be receiving an email soon regarding what to/not to do/buy.

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Specializes in SICU.

Hi everyone!
Thanks for starting this thread! My name is Ashley and I’ve lived/worked in both Mass and Virginia for most of my nursing career. I currently live on the north shore of Boston (about an hour south of Portland) and I work in Boston.

Carla - are you planning on commuting in for the didactic portion? I’m debating between that and getting an apartment that’s close to campus!

I’m so excited for the program to start and to meet all of you!

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Specializes in CVICU, MICU, SICU.

Hi Ashley,

Thanks for joining the group! I will be commuting- I'm hoping one of the professors will let me record them so I can listen to the lecture again on the way home... we'll see. We bought a house down here last year- my other half might be a bit peeved if i move to Portland ?

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Specializes in ICU.

Hi everyone, thanks for setting up this thread. My name is Tip, I’m from Kailua Hawai’i. I’m excited to meet everyone, dive into this new adventure and experience my first New England winter!

Is there any area in Portland that you guys would recommend for housing? I was just going to look for anything within close proximity to campus.

See you all soon!

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Specializes in CCRN, Transplant ICU.

Hi @crl12 Tip!
Portland has high housing prices but if you don’t require much (laundry, pets etc) you may be able to find something really close to campus for an affordable rate. Otherwise, it’s cheaper a little further north up in Yarmouth or in South Portland or Cape Elizabeth.

FYI: I lived in the Tamarlane Apartments in Portland. The management team was okay but the building was not. I could hear EVERYTHING and I could feel the cold seep through the walls when it was really cold. Yikes.

Winter Suggestion: Start looking at Dick’s Sporting Goods or even Kohl’s for deals on winter coats, gloves, hat, boots etc. You will need them for next winter. Maine gets ALOT of snow and sometimes negative degree weather.

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Specializes in CCRN, Transplant ICU.

Hey guys, a great podcast suggested to me by one of the current students is From the Head of The Bed. I love it. I have been listening to it. (I'm really nervous about falling behind as my undergrad and previous masters, I excelled at procrastinating. And, this seems like a bad idea for CRNA school. So, for me, preparing well in advance helps me digest the material better.)

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Specializes in ICU.

hey @AimeeES i love that podcast. You might also like ACCRAC (anesthesia and critical care review) if you have not already listened to it.

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Specializes in CCRN, Transplant ICU.

I'll check it out! Thank you @crl12

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Specializes in ICU.

Hey - sorry, I am not in this cohort, I am a prospective student who came across this thread. Congrats to you all - you guys are living my dream!

I was wondering ( & hope its okay to ask) if anyone from this group might be willing to talk with me about getting into UNE. I am looking for some support / advice. I'd greatly appreciate it!

Thank you.

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Specializes in ICU.

Hey @csrn2017 the thread titled "university of New England CRNA (2018)" has great advice from people that have graduated from the program already. I think all the general advice for CRNA school applications is helpful. I know it's a long road, but it will pay off. Don't get discouraged throughout the process. I think the hardest part of the process is not knowing what to expect, but just put the time in preparing and you will do great. Best of luck!

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