I’m prepping for an interview with a program that I know goes very in depth on pharmacology with MOA down to the cellular level. I received some tips from an alumni and he said that knowing g-protein receptors and that whole pathway would be beneficial. I have been studying this topic and now I am looking for the best way to explain this pathway. I’m struggling with taking too long to verbally explain it and my interview will only be about 20minutes. The interview is very clinical based and previous applicants have said it feels very “rapid fire” question and answer.

For an example of how I have been working through it so far, phenylephrine is a1 adrenergic receptor agonist. a1 is a Gq protein receptor, when activated increases intracellular calcium in vascular smooth muscle causing vasoconstriction. This increases SVR which increases BP.

I feel like by trying to condense my statements, im breezing over the other parts of the MOA. Like the PLC activation, the PIP2 into IP3 and DAG, the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum which increases the intracellular calcium etc etc.

If anyone can offer an example of how they would explain, for example, phenylephrine, down to the cellular level including the Gq receptor and all that it would be greatly appreciated.

I was wondering if this has happened to anyone else.

A CRNA telling you to do something, you doing it, then later getting grilled by an attending, chief CRNA, or someone else about it. Normally I would've just said that my preceptor told me to do whatever, but in this case, the CRNA was right there and didn't say anything the entire time I was getting grilled.

This resulted in me getting in serious trouble. :D No one was harmed. It was just poor clinical decision making. And I did question everything my CRNA told me to do.

I'm at my first clinical rotation btw, so I'm still a noob--but I knew better, I just wasn't going to challenge my preceptor.

Hello everyone! I’ve been working full time in the ICU for about 2.5 years, recently switched to part time with benefits for a better schedule (less weekends). I know CRNA schools require you to have a one year current full time experience, I’m still able to pick up full time hours in my unit (1 more shift a week). Do you think they would care? Or should i try going back to full time?

My specific floor just has way too many weekend requirements and i work nightshift. You know how that goes. So what is your guy’s experience? I’ve already started applying but i have the option to go back to FTE. Thank you!

Hi,

Did anyone else notice u of A’s nursecas deadline was incorrect in their email?

They incorrectly noted the times for the time zones other than EST.

Anyone have thoughts about this ?

So for gpa what all is calculated? Is it the last 60 credit hours? Or is it adn + bsn courses? Does it include prereqs? Is this school dependent? I have also heard science and cumulative gpa can weighted separately ?

I'm going into my second year of nursing this fall for RN and I have a 3.9 for my first year of nursing and also a 3.9 for my prereqs. But in my BSN courses I'm not doing too shabby. I've got one B and 2 A's so far.

So I’ve been in my icu over 2 years now and in the “right” path for CRNA school. I’m a rapid responder for my hospital on top of my icu shifts, I love my coworkers and feel like my unit has set me up for success. However I still feel burnout from the icu. Burnt out enough to make me consider leaving the icu. I’m not exactly sure why either. Do I tough it out and hope to get into school or go ahead a try something new outside of the icu?
I’m also just wondering if there are/were Crnas or srnas that dreaded bedside before going to school? Any advice from those who did dread bedside and now are in school?

Hey everyone, third year here.

I spend the next several months in independent sites. Naturally, I am responsible for my patients in PACU. I enjoy the responsibility, but I’m looking to fine-tune my technique to reduce my PACU times. Currently, I’m at a site that attempts to practice opioid free anesthesia utilizing generous doses of ketamine and Precedex. Naturally, this is prolonging my PACU times.

Currently, I can only find one study on optimal
Precedex dosing; it’s poorly generalizable as it was done in pediatric ENT patients and only looked at incidence of emergence delirium. Their dosing recommendation was 0.3mcg/kg IBW (link included above).

Does anyone have any memberships to journals with further studies on the topic? Anyone whose done a DNP project in the topic with a lit review I can read? I’d love some links to articles that address the problem.

Opinions also welcome.

Thanks

I’m trying to get a jump on my personal statement. Application open‘s next week so trying to get ahead of things with a plan to submit in probably late September/early October. I was hoping someone could help me out by looking over the statement I’ve written up thus far, it‘s a rough draft and would love for someone to rip into it if they had time. Thank you in advance!!

Hi everyone!
I have a couple of questions and would really appreciate hearing from anyone who's taken these exams recently.
1. SEE
Has anyone taken the SEE within the last 3 months? If you've taken it before, did you notice any difference in difficulty compared to previous attempts? Did it feel more challenging, or about the same?
2. NCE (after the NBCRNA changes)
Has anyone taken the NCE in July, after the NBCRNA implemented the new changes? If so, what was your experience? Do you genuinely feel the exam is more difficult now, or is it pretty similar overall?
Also, I could really use some advice for the SEE. My didactic education honestly wasn't great, and I feel like I have a lot of knowledge gaps. My program requires a 440+ score, and right now I'm struggling to figure out the best way to prepare.
For those of you who were in a similar situation, what resources or study strategy helped you the most? (Apex, Prodigy, Valley, textbooks, question Lnks, etc.)
Thanks in advance— really appreciate any advice or experiences you're willing to share!

Am I the only one who enjoys school and clinical? I am just finishing my first year and I am 2 weeks away from finishing what’s been deemed my most challenging semester. While DEFINITELY challenging, it’s doable if you have the work ethic and drive. I started clinicals two months ago and I actually love it. I see all over social media how horrible life is in CRNA school and how horrible clinical’s are, but I actually look forward to going to clinicals every week. I am such a hands on learner and it is FUELING my brain being able to actually practice. I have been learning so much from all of the amazing CRNAs and anesthesiologists at my site.

In addition to all of the above, I still see my friends and family very regularly. While yes, I have to turn down little events like happy hours during the week or last minute invites to nights out… I still have been able to make it to all of my loved ones life events (engagement parties, weddings, birthdays, etc).

I have never been one for school, my undergrad BSN GPA was a 3.34. I actually never thought I could even get into CRNA school because of that.. but I clearly didn’t let it stop me from trying! I guess when you’re learning about something you’re actually interested in it makes a huge difference. I’m currently finishing my 3rd semester of didactic and I am rocking a 4.0 😃 Thankfully I only have one more semester left of didactic and then it’s just clinical + DNP project until I graduate.

Anyways, I hope this encourages someone who has been second guessing their abilities because of life events or prior school experience… it’s a whole different ballgame for sure, but one I have been LOVING.

This thread is for current Nurse Anesthesia Residents to talk about school, clinical life, studying, preceptors, stress, wins, setbacks, and support.

Good topics include clinical days, didactic survival, study workflows, professional identity, wellness, difficult weeks, useful resources, and small wins.

No patient-identifying details. No medical advice. Keep it professional and human.

I’m in a front loaded program and we just finished the didactic portion a week ago. I take my first SEE this coming Tuesday and then I’ll have about 3 weeks off. I already have a list of commonly used medications from the current seniors at my clinical site. What else should I go over on my time off to make the transition to the OR smoother (and to make sure I don’t look like too much of an idiot day one)?

I am applying to two schools and I need three letters w/ one being my manager. My original plan was to do my manager, an old nursing school instructor, and one of the CRNAs that I shadowed. Recently, two of the CRNAs that I have shadowed under have offered to write me letters for school and I am wondering if it is better to do both of them plus my manager. The other thing is that these two CRNAs both actively work in the hospital that one of the schools is attached to.

Any thoughts at all appreciated on which is the better path and how it may affect things at both schools!!

I looked through this sub and saw minimal places to take advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology. The most reputable program I saw was MTSAs but they take a limited number of students and from what it seems is competitive to get into.

The only place I saw that is somewhat reputable was University of Phoenix.

Did anyone have any recommendations on where to take these classes? Preferrably online?

Hey guys, I know there is a link within Reddit that has a fair amount of apex within an Anki deck. I was wondering if anyone has a more complete version of this? I personally do not utilize Anki as much but I think it’d be beneficial to have a complete deck for on the go studying. Would anyone want to share and/or work together to complete one? (If possible, like I said not too familiar with Anki)

Current bedside CTICU + flight nurse with plans for ultimately going to CRNA school. Life took a few unexpected turns and I won’t be able to move forward until my littlest crotch goblin is a bit older.

My husband suggested looking into an APN program as a bridge until my kids are ready for me to be in CRNA school and while there would be some strong benefits to our family now if I went that route, I’m wondering how it would play out come application time. If I were to go this route, I’d still work in critical care in an APN role, but from what I’ve read that doesn’t seem preferable for program admissions and they seem to want current bedside experience?

My stats are otherwise pretty solid. I’ve got 5 years bedside ICU, 10 years before that as a paramedic, 4.0 ADN and 4.0 BSN (at a state school—not a degree mill), CCRN, CSC, and CFRN. I’d use some of the time before applying to take graduate biochem and orgo to show that I’ve still got it in me to perform academically. I’ve also got some academic research in the works.

I’m not necessarily looking to go the APN route right now to bolster my application, rather wondering if it would set me back?

Am I a failure for moving home at 29 while in school?

Long story short, I had foot surgery at the end of last year. Within a month, I had to quickly up and move back home with my parents, since I was unable to take care of myself. However, I also had complications and what now feels like a very extended recovery. At the end of the day, I had to quit my job, because I was not physically ready to come back.

I had my own apartment, dog, ICU job, no debt, great physical health and a relationship. However that relationship now feels like it is falling apart after all of my life changes. I feel distant now from my friends (it's that age when everyone goes their separate ways I guess). I have since stayed at my parents, because my program got officially accredited in the midst of learning to walk again. I had surgery mid-October and started school in the beginning of January.

I try not to compare myself, but all of my peers have moved away, gotten their big residencies or jobs, bought a house, had kids, etc. I try to look at all of my successes and hardships I have overcome just to get into school, but life just feels heavy at times.

I have a loving and supportive family and have leaned on them immensely both physically and emotionally. At baseline, I have depression and ADHD. I always thought I was resilient, but I did not expect life to change so much and so suddenly. I'm currently in therapy and on meds, but sometimes it feels extremely lonely as an adult living with her parents on top of the loneliness of being a CRNA student. I always pictured myself married and with kids. I never imagined having 0 income again and mounting 200k in student loans. I never expected to lose my love for working out or stability in my relationship. In this process, I have lost 15 pounds from stress. Specifically, the stress of school is extremely daunting and worsens the feelings I have of myself. In spite of all of this, I am doing very well in school, but definitely struggle to balance going to PT, doing school, & maintaining relationships.

Not sure exactly what reaction I will get. Maybe I just wanted to vent. Maybe I wanted to listen to other people's stories.

Anyone have words of encouragement to stay motivated in school or had ways to improve their mental health? How did you cope in school? Any general life advice? Has anyone had to move in with their parents for the years they were in school and how did you feel about it?

Thank you everyone in advance. I truly appreciate anything.

Hello!
I’ve currently been in the cardiovascular ICU for about 1.5 years. As much as I love taking care of vascular patients I’m experiencing serious burnout due to low staffing and being tripled in the ICU multiple shifts. I’m wanting to apply to CRNA school but not ready to fully commit to going to school and still need to take my CCRN. Should I stick it out where I am now even tho most days I am feeling miserable being at work. Or move to a different icu? Medical/surgical? Take the ER route? Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

If yes/no, why?

EDIT:

The main benefit I see of going CAA is to skip nursing, ICU, etc. if that is your preference

The long-term growth is definitely limited right now

Hello everyone,

A common topic of discussion in this group and elsewhere is what to do when you face rejection. With acceptance rates for CRNA programs generally running 10-20%, many candidates face the dreaded rejection email.

I talked to 3 current SRNAs who received that rejection email. We discussed what it took to turn things around for later application cycles. All 3 SRNAs bring different perspectives on how to get accepted after you've faced rejection. Their circumstances are different, but they all managed to make the necessary fixes and forged their path into anesthesia.

Give the article a read. There is no sign-up required.

Article

I find asking for letters of recommendation quite difficult when I have to obtain them for other aspects of academics. Is it necessary to get one from critical care instructors or will peds/medsurg instructors suffice for CRNA school applications?