Grades for fall semester were due yesterday....ahhhh, a little sigh of relief. But it doesn't last for long. This also means we started full-time clinicals yesterday. This means not only 50+ hours of clinicals a week, but two classes starting in January. I volunteered for this why?!
Some clinical days are better than others. One day things will "click" and I will be reassured in my decision to pursue this career, but then days like today, when nothing goes right makes me question if this is really for me. No quitting now though....I've got way too much time, money, and will-power invested!
I am definitely looking forward to Christmas. We have the WHOLE week off! I'm going to be spoiled getting to sleep past 5 am for 7 days straight. Just gotta focus on getting my shopping done!
So, how were the grades?! 2 A's and 2 "B"s. In quotations because those B's were a 90 and 91....A's in my book!! I'll take that any day though.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
What goes around, comes around...
Interviews for the class of 2012 were last week and I can't believe it's been a year since one of the most gut-wrenching days of my life! When I left Erlanger that day I thought I'd never be back, and a year later here I am. If I can do it, anybody can! The stars must have been aligned that day. Rumor has it there were applicants from 13 states, even one from Hawaii. (I can't imagine what would make one want to leave Hawaii to come to Tennesee and endure 27 months of torture!!) But just as we were all so oblivious as to what we were getting into, I'm sure it's the same story this time around.
It's amazing at how much we've all learned since May and I'm sure it will be even more evident when the new class starts in 6 months. I think we are all looking forward to having a couple of people around that make us feel a little competent!
Clinicals have been interesting lately with the national shortage of so many drugs we have all come to love and depend on....rationing the "milk of anesthesia" has forced us to learn about ketamine and brevitol, who knew there was anything out there besides propofol??
We start full-time clinicals (7-3) December 9th. I'm somewhat looking forward to it, only two classes as compared to the four we are taking currently, but am unsure how I'll manage to survive without an afternoon nap at least once a week! And we also start taking call in January....I'm hoping for a few quiet nights here and there.
I will officially be done with core MSN classes (Ethics, theory, research) on December 2nd and might just have a party to celebrate! What a load of miserable torment.
Off to get a little R&R before my day tomorrow in the GI lab....without propofol, it should make for an interesting day!
It's amazing at how much we've all learned since May and I'm sure it will be even more evident when the new class starts in 6 months. I think we are all looking forward to having a couple of people around that make us feel a little competent!
Clinicals have been interesting lately with the national shortage of so many drugs we have all come to love and depend on....rationing the "milk of anesthesia" has forced us to learn about ketamine and brevitol, who knew there was anything out there besides propofol??
We start full-time clinicals (7-3) December 9th. I'm somewhat looking forward to it, only two classes as compared to the four we are taking currently, but am unsure how I'll manage to survive without an afternoon nap at least once a week! And we also start taking call in January....I'm hoping for a few quiet nights here and there.
I will officially be done with core MSN classes (Ethics, theory, research) on December 2nd and might just have a party to celebrate! What a load of miserable torment.
Off to get a little R&R before my day tomorrow in the GI lab....without propofol, it should make for an interesting day!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Another manic Monday...
Clinicals are in full swing and going about as well as can be expected. It's been a challenge to even do the things I used to feel competent doing as a nurse. All of a sudden, starting IV's, putting on EKG pads and writing orders seems like rocket science! I could have sworn I was an ICU nurse for two years! We've had so much information shoved at us in the past 5 months, it's scary to realize how little I knew. Trying to retain all that new knowledge is another story....
Dealing with the different personalities has definitely been interesting. The sad thing about the medical profession is a lot of practitioners "eat their young". Don't get me wrong though, there are plenty of wonderful, knowledgeable, friendly CRNA's and MDA's out there, but many times the bad ones overshadow the good. I can understand how frustrating it might be to deal with a new group of students every year, but you think these people would realize that before they sign a contract to work at a "teaching" hospital. I try my best to just take it with a grain of salt, smile and nod, and check any ounce of competence I may have at the door.
Research is one of the most pointless, useless, time-wasting classes I have ever suffered through. What have I learned? That I hate research. Enough said. (I also advise anyone who is reading this that might be considering going to UTC to take this class before starting anesthesia school and also take it somewhere else!! just make sure it is the 4 hr. class)
The other 3 classes are bearable, but studying is a constant in my life. I feel guilty if I sleep past 8 am on the weekends, take more than a 10 minute shower, or spend more than a few hours away from my books/notes. I don't even think I have any clothes to wear this winter, but I have no time to shop! (I will have to make that a priority in the next few weeks)
Sadly, we have already lost two classmates due to personal reasons. If the rest of us can just make it through to January, hopefully things will begin to look up. Everyone always asks how school is going and my answer is usually some version of "it sucks". Then I get the dreaded "It will all be worth it in the end"....I know that, or else I would have quit already, seriously. I just try to remind myself that this too, will pass.
Back to the books!
Dealing with the different personalities has definitely been interesting. The sad thing about the medical profession is a lot of practitioners "eat their young". Don't get me wrong though, there are plenty of wonderful, knowledgeable, friendly CRNA's and MDA's out there, but many times the bad ones overshadow the good. I can understand how frustrating it might be to deal with a new group of students every year, but you think these people would realize that before they sign a contract to work at a "teaching" hospital. I try my best to just take it with a grain of salt, smile and nod, and check any ounce of competence I may have at the door.
Research is one of the most pointless, useless, time-wasting classes I have ever suffered through. What have I learned? That I hate research. Enough said. (I also advise anyone who is reading this that might be considering going to UTC to take this class before starting anesthesia school and also take it somewhere else!! just make sure it is the 4 hr. class)
The other 3 classes are bearable, but studying is a constant in my life. I feel guilty if I sleep past 8 am on the weekends, take more than a 10 minute shower, or spend more than a few hours away from my books/notes. I don't even think I have any clothes to wear this winter, but I have no time to shop! (I will have to make that a priority in the next few weeks)
Sadly, we have already lost two classmates due to personal reasons. If the rest of us can just make it through to January, hopefully things will begin to look up. Everyone always asks how school is going and my answer is usually some version of "it sucks". Then I get the dreaded "It will all be worth it in the end"....I know that, or else I would have quit already, seriously. I just try to remind myself that this too, will pass.
Back to the books!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Not enough time to think of a snazzy title!!
Clinicals are in full swing and with four classes on top of that, our plates are pretty full! My first week in the OR in children's was much better than I anticipated. I actually liked working with the little ones and the fast turnover meant there was never a dull moment. I intubated several kids, mask managed a few and even got to do a caudal (pretty much an epidural for a child). Although I wasn't sure of what I had done until it was over with and I started breathing again!
Last week and for the next 5 weeks I'm in the main OR at Erlanger just trying to learn the ropes and figure out all the crazy personalities....and there are lots of them! I think most of our anxiety revolves around our CRNA/anesthesiologist team that we are assigned to for the day. Let's just say that some are less intimidating than others. I've mostly been doing hands-on "skill work", IV's, intubations, mask ventilating and a little bit of charting. Once we get deeper into our pharmacology class and start learning more about the anesthetic drugs we can focus on the 'big picture'....until then I just try to get the tube in the right place and stay out of the way!
Last week and for the next 5 weeks I'm in the main OR at Erlanger just trying to learn the ropes and figure out all the crazy personalities....and there are lots of them! I think most of our anxiety revolves around our CRNA/anesthesiologist team that we are assigned to for the day. Let's just say that some are less intimidating than others. I've mostly been doing hands-on "skill work", IV's, intubations, mask ventilating and a little bit of charting. Once we get deeper into our pharmacology class and start learning more about the anesthetic drugs we can focus on the 'big picture'....until then I just try to get the tube in the right place and stay out of the way!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Early to bed....early to rise
My days of sleeping in are almost over! I've got to learn to function on 6-7 hours of sleep (if I'm lucky!!) instead of my usual 8-9. Clinicals start Monday so it'll be up by 4:30 for clinical days, M, Tu, Th, Fri...and 5 on Wednesdays (my "sleep in" day!). So we got our clinical schedules and of course I start out in the children's OR, by myself....there will be a senior student there, but no one else as virginal as me!! My senior "big sis" who was assigned to me at the start of the program was nice enough to take time out of her day this afternoon to show me around the children's OR (TC Thompson) which helped to ease my anxiety to some degree. I've never worked with kids much less even intubated an adult yet, so it should make for an interesting week! Hopefully, just like nursing school, I will be able to look back at laugh at all the silly little things I stressed over, but for now I think a little Xanax wouldn't hurt!
We were told today that interviews for the new class have already been set for November (letters haven't been sent out yet though)...it seems strange that it's almost time for interviews again! How time flies!
We were told today that interviews for the new class have already been set for November (letters haven't been sent out yet though)...it seems strange that it's almost time for interviews again! How time flies!
Friday, August 7, 2009
1 semester down....6 to go!
Summer semester is over, and fall classes resume August 17th. I'm trying to enjoy my last real break between now and graduation. Of course Daniel starts back to school Monday so while my classmates are at the beach, I'm stuck here in Gadsden!!! I've come to terms with it though. I've got a whole week to get some shopping done, not to mention this weekend is AL's tax free weekend!
My second day in the OR wasn't much more exciting than the first...I did start an IV, put down an OG and chart, but no "tube dance" yet. I'm sure I will have plenty of opportunities come fall.
Grades have been posted for the summer, and here is my "report card":
Semester: SUM 1 2009
NURS THEORY- B
ADV HEALTH ASSESSMENT-A
ADV HEALTH ASSESS LAB- A
Semester: SUM 2 2009
DIVERSITY/ETHICAL ISSUES- A
AD ANAT/PHYS NUR ANESTH- A
INTEG HEALTH SCIENCE NUR ANEST- B
I can live with those grades, especially since a "B" is now an 85-92 on the grading scale!
Fall is reportedly the most stressful semester of the program and I've heard things will finally start to "click" around April of next year...if I can make it til then, I've got it made! I'm not much of a morning person, but that will soon change. We will have clinicals for 4 hours a day, 4 days a week from 7-11 am. Although our scheduled start time is 7am, we are required to have our rooms set up and ready to go by 7, so for the first few weeks we will all be getting to the hospital around 5 am. (every week day except Wed.) On Wednesday mornings we will get to sleep in and won't have to be at Erlanger until 6 am! Wednesday mornings are set aside for clinical conference (discussion of cases, etc.) The afternoons are reserved for class time and the schedule is as follows:
NURS 501 NURS RESEARCH W 830-1200
NURS 543 AD ANAT/PHYS NUR ANES II TH 1230- 300
NURS 545 PRIN NUR ANES PRAC-BASIC W 130- 400
NURS 581 AD PHARM FOR NUR ANES I M 1230- 300
I've heard most of Research is online but we will still meet every other week, so this gives us Tues. and Fri. afternoons off. I guess I might have to become a coffee drinker too!
My second day in the OR wasn't much more exciting than the first...I did start an IV, put down an OG and chart, but no "tube dance" yet. I'm sure I will have plenty of opportunities come fall.
Grades have been posted for the summer, and here is my "report card":
Semester: SUM 1 2009
NURS THEORY- B
ADV HEALTH ASSESSMENT-A
ADV HEALTH ASSESS LAB- A
Semester: SUM 2 2009
DIVERSITY/ETHICAL ISSUES- A
AD ANAT/PHYS NUR ANESTH- A
INTEG HEALTH SCIENCE NUR ANEST- B
I can live with those grades, especially since a "B" is now an 85-92 on the grading scale!
Fall is reportedly the most stressful semester of the program and I've heard things will finally start to "click" around April of next year...if I can make it til then, I've got it made! I'm not much of a morning person, but that will soon change. We will have clinicals for 4 hours a day, 4 days a week from 7-11 am. Although our scheduled start time is 7am, we are required to have our rooms set up and ready to go by 7, so for the first few weeks we will all be getting to the hospital around 5 am. (every week day except Wed.) On Wednesday mornings we will get to sleep in and won't have to be at Erlanger until 6 am! Wednesday mornings are set aside for clinical conference (discussion of cases, etc.) The afternoons are reserved for class time and the schedule is as follows:
NURS 501 NURS RESEARCH W 830-1200
NURS 543 AD ANAT/PHYS NUR ANES II TH 1230- 300
NURS 545 PRIN NUR ANES PRAC-BASIC W 130- 400
NURS 581 AD PHARM FOR NUR ANES I M 1230- 300
I've heard most of Research is online but we will still meet every other week, so this gives us Tues. and Fri. afternoons off. I guess I might have to become a coffee drinker too!
Friday, July 31, 2009
1st Day in the OR
Today was my first "official" day in the OR...a sort of mini-clinical before the real thing in September. My day was mostly observational, and I came in at 11 so the morning rush was over. I received some good advice: "Learn something new every day, even if it's only where the restroom is!" Here is what I learned today:
1.) At Erlanger, OR rooms 1-12 are to the right of the surgery board, the rest are to the left. I learned this after my instructor told me to go observe in room 6 and started walking down the hall to the left.
2.) If your CRNA tells you to sit in the breakroom for 5 minutes while she runs a quick personal errand, your instructor WILL happen to walk in the breakroom and ask "Do you need something to do?"
So, even though I didn't get to intubate or place an LMA, I learned two valuable lessons. Hopefully Tuesday in the OR (the 6:30-11 slot) will be more interesting!
1.) At Erlanger, OR rooms 1-12 are to the right of the surgery board, the rest are to the left. I learned this after my instructor told me to go observe in room 6 and started walking down the hall to the left.
2.) If your CRNA tells you to sit in the breakroom for 5 minutes while she runs a quick personal errand, your instructor WILL happen to walk in the breakroom and ask "Do you need something to do?"
So, even though I didn't get to intubate or place an LMA, I learned two valuable lessons. Hopefully Tuesday in the OR (the 6:30-11 slot) will be more interesting!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
So much to do....so little time
We are 4 weeks into the second summer semester, and busy would be an understatement. This semester we are taking Anatomy and Physiology, Integrated Health Sciences, and Diversity and Ethics (another one of those blah! classes). For the first three weeks we had a test every Monday and Thursday so every spare moment was spent studying...including 5-6 hours on Saturdays (I didn't even study that much for NCLEX!). We start "clinicals" tomorrow so the tests are starting to slow down, just adding new kinds of stress. Our rotations from now until August are mostly observational and include the OR, PAT (pre-addmission testing), PIV (starting IV's in pre-op), a day in the pharmacy and a day in the anesthesia workroom in the OR.
Our professors continuosly warn us about the "personalities" we will encounter in the OR once we start rotating through which is another point of stress.
Our class as a whole is very cohesive and hopefully our ability to work together and pull each other along will be greatly beneficial in the long run. Rachel and I have already made some great new friends and try to find a little time here and there to be social and get away from the books for a little while.
Our professors continuosly warn us about the "personalities" we will encounter in the OR once we start rotating through which is another point of stress.
Our class as a whole is very cohesive and hopefully our ability to work together and pull each other along will be greatly beneficial in the long run. Rachel and I have already made some great new friends and try to find a little time here and there to be social and get away from the books for a little while.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
3 classes down...many more to go!
So it's already time to start the second summer semester this coming Monday the 22nd which includes: Integrated Health Science for Anesthesia, Anatomy and Physiology and Ethics. Seven weeks of those classes then Fall semester starts...
The first several classes weren't bad, Theory surprisingly turned out to be pretty easy just boring. Assessment was a good review of the things I'd forgotten from nursing school. Haven't received final grades yet, but hoping for all A's!
Since we only had class two days a week, we had some free time to explore Chattanooga and even had a chance to go to Riverbend a couple nights. We listened to Train, the B52's, Montgomery Gentry and the Commodores along with some local bands.
We are finally settled into the apartment and love it so far, although it's about 20 minutes to downtown and school, we like the area. Haven't had any neighbor troubles yet, and the pool is great for those hot southern summer days! Chip has even been to visit a few times and has actually behaved himself for the most part!
The first several classes weren't bad, Theory surprisingly turned out to be pretty easy just boring. Assessment was a good review of the things I'd forgotten from nursing school. Haven't received final grades yet, but hoping for all A's!
Since we only had class two days a week, we had some free time to explore Chattanooga and even had a chance to go to Riverbend a couple nights. We listened to Train, the B52's, Montgomery Gentry and the Commodores along with some local bands.
We are finally settled into the apartment and love it so far, although it's about 20 minutes to downtown and school, we like the area. Haven't had any neighbor troubles yet, and the pool is great for those hot southern summer days! Chip has even been to visit a few times and has actually behaved himself for the most part!
So my embroidered lab coat, which was a requirement by the school, got it's first use for our Assessment final. (We had to complete a pre-op assessment like the ones we will be doing at Erlanger...except I do believe this one was a little more in-depth than any pre-op assessment I've ever seen.) So I'll leave you with a picture of my fancy new coat...I've only got about 24 hours to enjoy a little free time before we start back to class!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
2 weeks in...
So it's been almost two weeks since we started classes, and it has already flown by. Technically we have only been in class 6 days, but so much information has been thrown at us in those 6 days, it feels like 66 days! One paper down, 3 to go!
The next five weeks, classes are mainly on Tuesday and Wednesday. Rachel and I have car-pooled every day to save gas and usually leave my house areound 6:15 am....early! This puts us in Chattanooga around 8:40 EST (That time change is a pain!) Every day at lunch and some days after class, we rode around Chatt. and the surrounding burbs to look for a decent apt. (And discovered they are few and far between...unless you pay upwards of 900/mo.) So after looking at literally 25 different apartments, we stumbled across one we fell in love with. We were actually looking at another complex in East Brainerd (about 15 minutes from downtown) and when pulling out of that complex we looked to the left and saw some really pretty apartments off the road a little ways that peaked our interest. Our first thought when we pulled in was, "Out of our price range". Rachel ran in to get a brochure and find out about pricing...the manager offered to show us a unit so we had a look around. LOVED IT! These apartments were cleaner than my house (and I'm a clean freak). Luckily they are running a special for $220 off rent per month for the length of the lease and they had everything we needed, pool, gym, gated access, 2 BR 2 BA, pets allowed, security system, cable and washer/dryer included. We are planning on moving the last weekend in May. Below are some pictures from their website:
So...what have we learned in school? In Health Assessment we are going over basically the same assessment skills we learned in undergrad, just at a MUCH quicker pace. We even have "check-offs" on different body systems like we did in nursing school (I remember being so nervous I wanted to vomit). We also had a little time in the sim lab intubating dummies. I have a feeling that a few of my classmates, and possibly myself might be knocking out a few teeth the first go-around! The good thing about this class is that all of our tests (besides the check-offs, which we do get graded for) are online and open book!
Theory class is just BLAH, for lack of a better expression. I guess you could call me a "realist". Class discussions, group projects and papers have never been my forte. Teach me what I need to know in the OR and leave the theories to the theorists! Our final is open book though, so that's one plus in a bucket of minuses.
The next five weeks, classes are mainly on Tuesday and Wednesday. Rachel and I have car-pooled every day to save gas and usually leave my house areound 6:15 am....early! This puts us in Chattanooga around 8:40 EST (That time change is a pain!) Every day at lunch and some days after class, we rode around Chatt. and the surrounding burbs to look for a decent apt. (And discovered they are few and far between...unless you pay upwards of 900/mo.) So after looking at literally 25 different apartments, we stumbled across one we fell in love with. We were actually looking at another complex in East Brainerd (about 15 minutes from downtown) and when pulling out of that complex we looked to the left and saw some really pretty apartments off the road a little ways that peaked our interest. Our first thought when we pulled in was, "Out of our price range". Rachel ran in to get a brochure and find out about pricing...the manager offered to show us a unit so we had a look around. LOVED IT! These apartments were cleaner than my house (and I'm a clean freak). Luckily they are running a special for $220 off rent per month for the length of the lease and they had everything we needed, pool, gym, gated access, 2 BR 2 BA, pets allowed, security system, cable and washer/dryer included. We are planning on moving the last weekend in May. Below are some pictures from their website:
So...what have we learned in school? In Health Assessment we are going over basically the same assessment skills we learned in undergrad, just at a MUCH quicker pace. We even have "check-offs" on different body systems like we did in nursing school (I remember being so nervous I wanted to vomit). We also had a little time in the sim lab intubating dummies. I have a feeling that a few of my classmates, and possibly myself might be knocking out a few teeth the first go-around! The good thing about this class is that all of our tests (besides the check-offs, which we do get graded for) are online and open book!
UTC Nurse Anesthesia Class of 2011:
Theory class is just BLAH, for lack of a better expression. I guess you could call me a "realist". Class discussions, group projects and papers have never been my forte. Teach me what I need to know in the OR and leave the theories to the theorists! Our final is open book though, so that's one plus in a bucket of minuses.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
The end of the money train.....
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Rewind
I feel it would be appropriate to give a little background info on how I got here in the first place...in CRNA school that is, not on this Earth. No anatomy lessons yet!
Applying for school
I actually started applying to schools just six months out of college. Many of the application deadlines are almost a whole year in advance to the start of the program, so you really have to be on top of things. Ok, so I only applied to UAB the first time around. I figured I wouldn't even get an interview, much less get accepted but I just wanted to get a feel for the application process and possibly get my foot in the door somewhere. Much to my surprise I was actually offered an interview at UAB for December 2007. I did not study anything clinical for this interview and just practiced the basic personality questions I had been informed to prepare for.
The UAB interview was definitely in a personality-based format as I did not get questioned on anything clinical. All the candidates sat together in the same waiting room before going back for interviews. While waiting and listening, I heard everyone announcing their years of experience ("I worked PACU 2 years, ER 5 years and CVICU for 10 years, I just think it's time for something new") I kept my measly 6 months of ICU experience to myself. Did I mention I was the youngest person there by at least 10 years?!
The interview itself went well. It was very laid-back and I answered questions along these lines:
* Why do you want to be a CRNA?
* How have you prepared to become a CRNA?
* What are your strengths/weaknesses?
* Are you prepared to move out-of-state to work after you graduate? (There are few CRNA jobs in AL at the present time)
After leaving the interview I thought I might actually have a chance, but I didn't get my hopes up....good thing too. I received my "Thanks, but no thanks" letter a week later. Oh, well. There's always next year.
Fast forward to August 2008
Deadlines are here and this time I've increased my bidding to two whole schools, UAB and UT-Chattanooga. I say this because everyone knows, if you really want to get in, you apply to every school within a 2,000 mile radius. I just wasn't up for taking the GRE in order to apply anywhere else at this point. Toward the end of September I received a LONG letter from UAB with about 100 reasons why I didn't get an interview this year. They suggested I re-take classes to improve my GPA (my chemistry and math grades were sub-par) and told me to consider taking the CCRN (like NCLEX times 12). The letter was impressive, even included a couple of pie graphs with a lot of statistics you just don't feel like reading in a REJECTION letter. I would give specific examples, but that letter hit the trashcan less than 24 hours after arriving in the mailbox.
Well now what? Cause I know there's NO WAY I'll get an interview at UTC. Oh well, maybe I will look into taking that CCRN. But I refuse to take any more chemistry! But I've got plenty of time to worry about that. Then came Oct 24, 2008. CONGRATULATIONS! You have been selected to interview for the U of Tenn at Chatt. School of Nursing Master of Science in Nursing, Anesthesia concentration. Here was my chance. My interview was scheduled for November 21, 2008 at 9 EST. (The first time I actually thought about the time difference)
November 21, 2008- UTC interview
It was 5:30 and I was up before the sun, headed to UTC for my interview, and I was NERVOUS to say the least. For the past two weeks I crammed hemodynamics, ACLS, the workings of a Swan, and all those vasoactive drugs into my brain. I had heard that the UTC interviews were all clinical and I did my best to know my stuff. After finally finding the interview site (located inside Erlanger hospital) my nerves were rattled. After only working at GRMC, Erlanger is like it's own planet. You can read about Erlanger here.
While we were waiting, we met some of the current students in the program and they gave advice like "Don't bring up anything you don't want to talk about in depth, as in, cellular level." Now I wish I had paid more attention in that Chemistry class! Another pearl of wisdom "If you don't know the answer, tell them. Don't try to BS your way through it." One fellow interview-ee asked, "Who will be interviewing us?" (Now this just makes things ten times worse) "I think a few of the anesthesiologists from Erlanger, the chief of Anesthesiology, and a few department heads." GULP!
It was finally my turn to go back. I was led into a room with a big U-shaped table and seated at the end. I looked up to face about 10 interviewers and my stomach was in my throat. They asked what my background was and the interview proceeded as follows:
"What's the easiest and quickest way to alter intercranial pressure?"
(My thoughts are in red, what I actually said, in blue)
Wait, I didn't study this, this is an easy question. Where are the drugs, the hemodynamics?
"Changing the environment."
Stupid, stupid. That can't be right. This interview is going downhill fast!!
"Changing the environment how, specifically?"
Make it sound good at least!
"Keeping quiet, lowering the lights. Sometimes giving drugs to reduce ICP"
Wow, now I'm up a creek without a paddle
"What about positioning the patient, isn't there something you can EASILY do to affect ICP?"
Oh, gosh, I know now, this is sooo easy!
"Lowering or raising the head of the bed"
"And doesn't that seem easy?"
Great, now I'm being patronized
"Yes, it does."
"What is the pediatric dose of Mannitol?" --which I gave a quick "I don't know"
"When specifically does an intra-aortic balloon pump inflate and deflate?" (Didn't I tell these guys I didn't take balloon pumps?)
"What's normal ICP?" --one of the few I was confident about
Toward the end I got a few personal questions, but I was so ready to get out of that room I rushed through those. After the interview we had to complete a survey about how stressful we thought the interview was (which I put a "6" for maximum) and some other questions I barely read because I was sweating through my shirt, (Thank goodness for Dove deodorant!) I decided this was definitely the last time I would see the inside of Erlanger. Oh well, there's always next year.
November 29th 2008
We had just finished celebrating Thanksgiving and enjoying time with family and friends...I had come to terms with the fact that I would not be starting CRNA school for AWHILE. We get home around 9pm and Daniel says, "There's a letter from UTC, want me to open it?" I respond, "Yay, my rejection letter. I'll open it when we get in." I was thinking, well at least now I'll know for sure. While he was getting things out of the car, I walked onto the porch into the light and opened the letter. CONGRATULATIONS (and yes, it was in bold). "What!?" I looked again. CONGRATULATIONS. I scanned to the top to make sure my name was there, and to my surprise, it was. This has to be a mistake. Did they forget how bad I bombed that interview? (I waited for a letter saying there had been a mix-up for at least a week before I was confident enough to start spreading the word to anyone besides family.
So here we are...T minus 12 days until orientation May 4th and classes starting May 5th.
To be continued...
Applying for school
I actually started applying to schools just six months out of college. Many of the application deadlines are almost a whole year in advance to the start of the program, so you really have to be on top of things. Ok, so I only applied to UAB the first time around. I figured I wouldn't even get an interview, much less get accepted but I just wanted to get a feel for the application process and possibly get my foot in the door somewhere. Much to my surprise I was actually offered an interview at UAB for December 2007. I did not study anything clinical for this interview and just practiced the basic personality questions I had been informed to prepare for.
The UAB interview was definitely in a personality-based format as I did not get questioned on anything clinical. All the candidates sat together in the same waiting room before going back for interviews. While waiting and listening, I heard everyone announcing their years of experience ("I worked PACU 2 years, ER 5 years and CVICU for 10 years, I just think it's time for something new") I kept my measly 6 months of ICU experience to myself. Did I mention I was the youngest person there by at least 10 years?!
The interview itself went well. It was very laid-back and I answered questions along these lines:
* Why do you want to be a CRNA?
* How have you prepared to become a CRNA?
* What are your strengths/weaknesses?
* Are you prepared to move out-of-state to work after you graduate? (There are few CRNA jobs in AL at the present time)
After leaving the interview I thought I might actually have a chance, but I didn't get my hopes up....good thing too. I received my "Thanks, but no thanks" letter a week later. Oh, well. There's always next year.
Fast forward to August 2008
Deadlines are here and this time I've increased my bidding to two whole schools, UAB and UT-Chattanooga. I say this because everyone knows, if you really want to get in, you apply to every school within a 2,000 mile radius. I just wasn't up for taking the GRE in order to apply anywhere else at this point. Toward the end of September I received a LONG letter from UAB with about 100 reasons why I didn't get an interview this year. They suggested I re-take classes to improve my GPA (my chemistry and math grades were sub-par) and told me to consider taking the CCRN (like NCLEX times 12). The letter was impressive, even included a couple of pie graphs with a lot of statistics you just don't feel like reading in a REJECTION letter. I would give specific examples, but that letter hit the trashcan less than 24 hours after arriving in the mailbox.
Well now what? Cause I know there's NO WAY I'll get an interview at UTC. Oh well, maybe I will look into taking that CCRN. But I refuse to take any more chemistry! But I've got plenty of time to worry about that. Then came Oct 24, 2008. CONGRATULATIONS! You have been selected to interview for the U of Tenn at Chatt. School of Nursing Master of Science in Nursing, Anesthesia concentration. Here was my chance. My interview was scheduled for November 21, 2008 at 9 EST. (The first time I actually thought about the time difference)
November 21, 2008- UTC interview
It was 5:30 and I was up before the sun, headed to UTC for my interview, and I was NERVOUS to say the least. For the past two weeks I crammed hemodynamics, ACLS, the workings of a Swan, and all those vasoactive drugs into my brain. I had heard that the UTC interviews were all clinical and I did my best to know my stuff. After finally finding the interview site (located inside Erlanger hospital) my nerves were rattled. After only working at GRMC, Erlanger is like it's own planet. You can read about Erlanger here.
While we were waiting, we met some of the current students in the program and they gave advice like "Don't bring up anything you don't want to talk about in depth, as in, cellular level." Now I wish I had paid more attention in that Chemistry class! Another pearl of wisdom "If you don't know the answer, tell them. Don't try to BS your way through it." One fellow interview-ee asked, "Who will be interviewing us?" (Now this just makes things ten times worse) "I think a few of the anesthesiologists from Erlanger, the chief of Anesthesiology, and a few department heads." GULP!
It was finally my turn to go back. I was led into a room with a big U-shaped table and seated at the end. I looked up to face about 10 interviewers and my stomach was in my throat. They asked what my background was and the interview proceeded as follows:
"What's the easiest and quickest way to alter intercranial pressure?"
(My thoughts are in red, what I actually said, in blue)
Wait, I didn't study this, this is an easy question. Where are the drugs, the hemodynamics?
"Changing the environment."
Stupid, stupid. That can't be right. This interview is going downhill fast!!
"Changing the environment how, specifically?"
Make it sound good at least!
"Keeping quiet, lowering the lights. Sometimes giving drugs to reduce ICP"
Wow, now I'm up a creek without a paddle
"What about positioning the patient, isn't there something you can EASILY do to affect ICP?"
Oh, gosh, I know now, this is sooo easy!
"Lowering or raising the head of the bed"
"And doesn't that seem easy?"
Great, now I'm being patronized
"Yes, it does."
"What is the pediatric dose of Mannitol?" --which I gave a quick "I don't know"
"When specifically does an intra-aortic balloon pump inflate and deflate?" (Didn't I tell these guys I didn't take balloon pumps?)
"What's normal ICP?" --one of the few I was confident about
Toward the end I got a few personal questions, but I was so ready to get out of that room I rushed through those. After the interview we had to complete a survey about how stressful we thought the interview was (which I put a "6" for maximum) and some other questions I barely read because I was sweating through my shirt, (Thank goodness for Dove deodorant!) I decided this was definitely the last time I would see the inside of Erlanger. Oh well, there's always next year.
November 29th 2008
We had just finished celebrating Thanksgiving and enjoying time with family and friends...I had come to terms with the fact that I would not be starting CRNA school for AWHILE. We get home around 9pm and Daniel says, "There's a letter from UTC, want me to open it?" I respond, "Yay, my rejection letter. I'll open it when we get in." I was thinking, well at least now I'll know for sure. While he was getting things out of the car, I walked onto the porch into the light and opened the letter. CONGRATULATIONS (and yes, it was in bold). "What!?" I looked again. CONGRATULATIONS. I scanned to the top to make sure my name was there, and to my surprise, it was. This has to be a mistake. Did they forget how bad I bombed that interview? (I waited for a letter saying there had been a mix-up for at least a week before I was confident enough to start spreading the word to anyone besides family.
So here we are...T minus 12 days until orientation May 4th and classes starting May 5th.
To be continued...
Welcome
After being unable to find an adequate answer to my question, "What is CRNA school really like," I took on the task of creating this blog to possibly help others who find themselves asking the same question. I also forsee needing a place to vent frustrations in the coming months, and hope this blog will be a way for family and friends to keep in touch even though my face will be crammed into some sort of book everyday until August 14, 2011 (graduation, of course). That's a Sunday, at 2pm. (I'm REALLY looking forward to it!) Whether you are someone I know personally, or just browsing, thanks for visiting. I'll try to update as often as possible. Hold on to your hats, here we go.....
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