What you wish you would have known...

[WakingLife]

Hi there, I am starting NA school in Aug. 2006 (Georgetown). I am counting down the days- really, counting them down. (as a side note, I think there should be some sort of "ticker" countdown thing for those of us Pre-CRNAs...)

I love these boards. I have learned so much about the profession, the issues, clinical, interviews etc... A post over on the CRNA side of things got me thinking (the starting IVs with buffered lido) ...This is for all those in school now: What completly surprised you when you started school? You did your research, you applied, got in and once the ball started rolling....Wow...those things you didn't even think of! It can be anything, studying, financial, clinical. I am just curious about the "hands on" surprises.

[jessicah67]

Sorry that this doesn't answer your question but...

I would like to get more information about Georgetown. What do you think they are looking for in applicants. I will start my first job as a nurse in an ICU this May and hope to start CRNA school in the fall of 2007. Do you know if Georgetown has a history of taking applicants with minimal experience?

Thanks,

Jessicah67

[TexasCCRN]

The suprise is mostly the the overwhelming amount of information you are expected to know. None of the concepts are sooo difficult that you can't understand them, it's just the amount. And you think you knew about time management as an ICU nurse?? HA! You will learn that there is a whole new meaning to the phrase, or you will find yourself in a real bad spot. Good luck!

[apaisRN, RN, CRNA]

I didn't know I could be so tired. I get plenty of sleep, but I guess my brain is fatigued from this very intensive semester. Even when I have a caffeine buzz there's still part of me that wants to go to bed. Other than taking care of yourself, I don't think there's any way to prevent it.

[roosevelt127]

I'd also be interested in knowing how you found the application process to be with georgetown, how your interview went (all typical questions? clinical questions? was the experience comfortable or a crazy panel where they try to intimidate you?).

[berry]

I mean this in no way, shape or form as an insult to staff RN’s. I am surprised at the gap in my perceived knowledge base and my actual knowledge base. I have been in crna school 5 weeks and already cell physiology has made me go huh wow that’s why that happens or oh crap I was lucky that never happened because I never even planned for that in case it happened.

[MmacFN]

Hey Berry

I think the reason it is such a shocker is that while the informationwas always there, few nsg programs even touch on it and even fewer RNs search out the "whys" when in the throws of a busy day.

[Focker, CRNA]

...And you think you knew about time management as an ICU nurse?? HA! You will learn that there is a whole new meaning to the phrase, or you will find yourself in a real bad spot. Good luck!

I couldnt agree with you more. The clinical site I am at pushes for 15 minute turnover time between cases, as a student with 5 weeks of clinical under my belt, its pretty much impossible to keep up with that pace.

[chansonsrna]

To the OP congrats....Well I am 9 mos into my program Mt Marty (front loaded NA program in South Dakota) Surprises....how fast the human mind assimilates information what I mean is that I could have never fathomed the volume of information we absorb from lectures and reading. I also agree w/one of the other posters, you truly learn time management in a whole new way...(based on limited experience....though front loaded we do get a couple weeks of clinical in before we go full time in OR)...Other surprises include learning humility (especially when you find not smartest person in class b/c everyone is), fatigue, and an appreciation for the time spent with family. I have to commute every week to apartment near campus and come home to my wife and dogs on the weekends, which gets old quickly. Don't get me wrong though I ABSOLUTELY love the learning process and wouldn't trade it for the world

[als4f]

I agree that leaving my comfort zone to purse anesthesia is definitely intimidating. I also am amazed by the number of things that I didn't know as I am currently studying for my upcoming interview. I have been a nurse for over 4 years, 3 of which have been in the ICU. For instance, I know that increased PEEP causes hypotension but I haven't ever really thought about how. As I study more and more I frequently think, I should have known that!