What to know BEFORE school...

financial aid, its been the most confusing part so far

Good point, Focker. Try to calculate your financial needs. As far as learning anesthesia related stuff, relax. You will be pounding the books when you start school. Enjoy your freedom now.

Jennie

you will have plenty of time to study when you get to school. take this time to relax and enjoy not being in school. you will thank yourself later for taking this time for yourself.

I agree with the above posts, particularly the financial aid business.

I'll tell you what I did, however. I got the Morgan/Mikael/Murray text, Clinical Anesthesiology, which is one of the most universally praised books around for its clarity, ease, and comprehensivenessity(?). All SRNAs, residents, etc. use it and love it (well, the ones I know). Freshen up on the drugs you use in the ICU, review basic phys such as respiratory and renal, and glance over acid/base balance chapters. Lots of stuff you probably already know, but with an anesthesia slant. Ignore the fact that it makes no mention of nurse anesthesia anywhere. It's a great book, you can get the third edition (2002) for really cheap on amazon. Not to imply that you really need to do this. But I found it to be good introductory "fun" reading. Nerd? Maybe.

Oh yeah, and drink lots of beer, too. Last chance for awhile.

Drink it while reading that book. I did.

If you can go to a library and get a medical physiology book and start reading on membrane potential and some cell physiology, it won't be too foreign to you while they are pistol whipping you with it.

I must say about six months in now.:stone Financial aid is a must to ANYONE before becoming unemployed (the likelihood of having time to work in school is minimal at best). A good idea is to pay down debt ie cars, credit cards etc. I went on a vacation with my wife, which touches on another point: enjoy your time with friends and family as much as possible. This is especially true if your school is in a different city than your family or spouse. Lastly, if you just can't get enough education and and really feel the need to do course work I would suggest organic chem if it wasn't a prereq, and touching up on physiology. Personally, I would forego trying to study anything, you will get more than enough studying in soon enough.:deadhorse

Thanks, Yes i have found so far that the financial aid partr of it ia difficult...I have a mortgage and two kiddos, and a working husband. Lots of things to think about, but they will all fall into place. Thanks for the tips, keep them coming..

Oh yeah, and drink lots of beer, too. Last chance for awhile.

Drink it while reading that book. I did.

I swear I almost fell on the floor laughing when I read this post!!!