How did you prepare prior to starting CRNA school

[MmacFN]

Here is a little poll to see who did what :)

[RAYMAN]

Would highly recomend reading baby miller or m/m.....won't make you a crna but later on you'll go....oh yah......and you'll only have to read it 4-5 times instead of 8-10.

[MmacFN]

Yah i think that was helpful as well. The new baby miller isnt near as bad as the older version. I founf M&M better but i thought the easiest book to read was barash.

I did that as well. I didnt pick up a crapload, but i did "recognize" things and multiple choice questions = recognition. so it was helpful.

[wvuturtle514]

I already knew school would be stressful enough......so I went out and partied a lot before I started classes....haha. Anyways, I just felt it would be pointless to try to teach myself things that I knew my program would probably be able to teach me better.... But kudos to those of you who had the ambition to learn before school started....:beerglass:

[RAYMAN]

Oh...........in the months leading up to school, I had unlimited access to a computer and laser printer at work............so.......I printed up all kinds of crap I thought might be useful.........for you wannabes or soon to bees..............don't do it! I just threw a bunch of it out cause they are gonna give you all you want and need.

[MmacFN]

yup

he even printed off stuff for me which i have yet to look at :P

[vigilent1]

I already knew school would be stressful enough......so I went out and partied a lot before I started classes....haha. Anyways, I just felt it would be pointless to try to teach myself things that I knew my program would probably be able to teach me better.... But kudos to those of you who had the ambition to learn before school started....:beerglass:
Sooo that was You at the bar partying.....that is how I was prepping too...must be a WV thing!:beerchug:

[MethaneMan]

I'm waiting for my copy of "Watchful Care" to come through the mail as we speak. Once I complete that, I may buy a copy of "Clinical Anesthesiology" if I feel I need more recreational reading. Also, I am taking a one month online chemistry refresher course that my future anesthesia school offers (optional) for incoming students. I feel I am a little weak in the chemistry area and if nothing else I hope this class makes me less intimidated of the chemistry I'll need to learn.

[NurseT]

Well, my school assigned chapters in Baby Miller, so it seemed like we had to read in advance. So, I did read those 22 chapters, but other than that....I played...went on an Alaskan cruise.....played some more....drank a little.....

I knew it would all come to an end when school started, so I enjoyed my summer. Also, they teach you everything you need to know, so I don't think my pre-reading helped much.

[sandman57]

I began to drink heavily

[MmacFN]

bwhahahha

[Nancicrna08]

I took a few of the "core classes" early to get back into school mode (Research and Pathophys). Went on multiple vacations while I still had a job (Italy, Grand Cayman, Hawaii, Las Vegas) and spent some time at the beach.

[m_playman]

changed my audio digest subscription to anesthesia...and renewed it as such since my previous group had picked up my 2 year subscription (before I resigned). ooops.

[gasaholic]

I spent the year before school began partying like a rockstar.

Unfortunately, I decided to have one last "hooooo rahhhhh" at the poker tables in Las Vegas about 2 months before the program started.

you know that saying, what happens in vegas stays in vegas?


.........well, after 3 weeks and almost $50,000 my tuition stayed there. oops! :eek5:

[armynse]

I've known about my acceptance to anesthesia school for about 3 weeks. My program begins in June '08. At first I thought that I would review, review, review...However, I've worked in critical care for nearly 5 yrs (hopefully, I've learned a few things). So now, I've decided to relax and enjoy my friends and family. I'm sure there will be many opportunities to stress-out when school begins.

[nojrevorg]

Enjoy your family, and Have some fun. Read to get in the habit of reading, but have fun. I wish I had more fun in the year prior. I Went on a big Griswold family vacation to florida in august. It was a nightmare. It would make a good story someday with Grandma passing out, people getting left places they shouldnt, The blow out at medieival times and the father Griswold saying at one point "this is my vision.... and its my party and will cry if I want too." my wife was being nice to everyone to a certain point and then I started getting the wrath.
Repressed memories have their way of surfacing sometimes.
Have fun having fun.
Jon

[ethernaut]

Enjoy your family, and Have some fun. Read to get in the habit of reading, but have fun. I wish I had more fun in the year prior. I Went on a big Griswold family vacation to florida in august. It was a nightmare. It would make a good story someday with Grandma passing out, people getting left places they shouldnt, The blow out at medieival times and the father Griswold saying at one point "this is my vision.... and its my party and will cry if I want too." my wife was being nice to everyone to a certain point and then I started getting the wrath.
Repressed memories have their way of surfacing sometimes.
Have fun having fun.
Jon

now, if only you strapped the dog to the bumper and drove off, THAT would be priceless.. (PETA-friendly of course :) )

[AmiK25]

I began to drink heavily

I waited until after school started to begin drinking heavily!! Before school started, I relaxed, spent time with my family, and took a trip to Vegas to play lots of poker!! I really think you have plenty of time to study once school starts and before that, you should just enjoy actually having a life.

[rnanes]

I took classes, and studies my butt off, read the ICU book inside and out, read a pharm book and a central line book, we sat in a group pimping the crap out of each other for a year. Not easy, but not an easy interview. 3 room 6 minutes each room with rapid fire questions. plus i was old and very scared. rnanes

[Sleeeper]

To me, life is about balance. One of the best pieces of advice I ever heard was try to keep balance before and during school for real success. Not always easy, I admit, but still ideal.

I dont mean to step on any toes, but people often burn up relationships with unnecessary radical changes, thus the high divorce rate in this field. Many people stress out, get sick, and ultimately fail to finish. None of this would I wish on anyone.

Balance for me means study/work hard, and play hard. Get exercise and REST. Before starting school, establish a routine that works. And of course, there will be trying times that upset the balance, like finals week!

Best of luck.

[Burnt2]

I'm reading the book that my uncle studied to pass the MD anesthesia boards.

The stuff in is at the very far edges of my current knowledge/ability to understand right now. It feels good; I can hardly wait for classes to begin.

[GracefulRN]

Been about 8 years since I had O-chem, so talked to the director and I will be taking Biochem this summer before school starts. Kinda looking forward to it ( I know...such a nerd....just can't help it). Also got baby miller and Barash.. cool stuff, but have to admit I'm not absorbing a lot yet. But I'm hoping that when I hear it again in class, it'll be like... Oh yeah....I get it now. I do plan on taking a Vacay in August too,maybe San Antonio.

[helicali]

well, it seems like a majority of people didn't do a damn thing and took a vacation. I'm gonna do little mini ones here and there. Going to tahoe next week, white water rafting in may, then a mini trip as I head to texas from cali.

I'm not putting it on cruise control just yet. I'm reading John's book "what I wasn't necessarily taught about anesthesia.' watching the O2 demand videos here and there, and taking some CE's in emergency pediatric care.

What I'm really looking forward to, is the day I hand my laminated, resignation letter in!! That'll be sweet!

[TJ8A]

Get your finances on order!!!!

Have fun on the cross-country trip. See the north rim if you can. Enjoy yourself along the way. And welcome to the utter craziness of school. Yeah!! You'll be a CRNA in 28 months or so..

TJ8A

[phlbald]

Taking leave and going to Napa for a week and then a week long Motorcycle ride through Big Bend and West Texas. Then USAGPAN.:flybye: :beerglass:

[olderthandirt2]

Reading a book on RATS.

Focusing on "sticking every vessel in sight" at work....nightmare with 2yr olds.

[BigMAC - Army]

Reading a book on RATS.

Focusing on "sticking every vessel in sight" at work....nightmare with 2yr olds.

I may have to practive IV's on you since we won't get to stick anyone till we hit clinicals. LOL. Anyway I'm preparing by attending the fine Army Captain's Career Course and learning all kinds of leadership and management applications and will soon hit the Army Decision Making Process.

[olderthandirt2]

I may have to practive IV's on you since we won't get to stick anyone till we hit clinicals. LOL. Anyway I'm preparing by attending the fine Army Captain's Career Course and learning all kinds of leadership and management applications and will soon hit the Army Decision Making Process.

HOOAH. Thank god one of us will know how to lead!
And you are in luck, I am like a "walking vascular map". Yep, 93 lbs with transparent skin, I can trace the veins right to my heart. A blind warthog could hit these vessels. :)

[nk10]

I am curious if anyone out there is at Case Western and what they think will be the best prep for that school. I am starting in Aug 09. Also, I have PACU and ER experience.....will I be far behind everyone else or will they teach me what I need to know? And if you think I will be far behind, what do you suggest I do before I start so that I can catch up? Thanks

[SoonerFan]

I applied in '96, so I had never owned a computer, therefore took a computer class at a community college. Of course, by the time I started school everything I learned was obsolete & out-dated, but I think it sounded good during my interview when I was asked if I was computer literate.

I also took a human anatomy class, since sharks & mudpuppies have some subltley different anatomies, especially their airways (I'd taken comparative anatomy, which the schools I applied to accepted).

Other than that, I worked lots of over-time & partied w/some friends I knew I wouldn't see for a while, since I was leaving the state.

[danielcrna]

I got a couple of the "nursing" requirement courses out of the way, and started studying A and P the summer before school started. I would recommend getting a few courses out of the way if the opportunity is there. Otherwise, relax. You'll have the whole program to learn what you need to know.

[Airwayangler]

I have been fly fishing, tying flies for fly fishing, fly fishing and then going for a week with all my best friends fly fishing and of course drinking and then drinking some more, but mostly only great wines and scotch because i know bud light will be my friend during school. i even got my wife into fly fishing. i have also tried to forget how to wipe ass, the names of the coworkers i do not like, etc. just making room for all the new info i will be learning.

[kirbybunny]

i have also tried to forget how to wipe ass...

:pound:

Careful there, you don't want to forget TOO much! hee hee!


~ Jen

[rubyrn36]

I have been fly fishing, tying flies for fly fishing, fly fishing and then going for a week with all my best friends fly fishing and of course drinking and then drinking some more, but mostly only great wines and scotch because i know bud light will be my friend during school. i even got my wife into fly fishing. i have also tried to forget how to wipe ass, the names of the coworkers i do not like, etc. just making room for all the new info i will be learning.


Ok I gotta love that...
multiples of fly fishing..*S*...
and the part about wiping ass (which really does not botther me that much)
and forgotting co-workers you do not like..
AWESOME!

[ethernaut]

:pound:

Careful there, you don't want to forget TOO much! hee hee!


~ Jen
FORGET it. won't need it.

[Poppy07]

THAT is hilarious! Thanks ; )


I have been fly fishing, tying flies for fly fishing, fly fishing and then going for a week with all my best friends fly fishing and of course drinking and then drinking some more, but mostly only great wines and scotch because i know bud light will be my friend during school. i even got my wife into fly fishing. i have also tried to forget how to wipe ass, the names of the coworkers i do not like, etc. just making room for all the new info i will be learning.

[sus182]

Movies, drink at the bar, nap on the couch, Vegas, nap at the pool, drink at home, camping, nap in the bed, Cabo, drink while camping, nap on the couch, Beach, nap in the tent, drink at the beach, nap at the beach, drink in bed, called in sick to work- in order to drink, nap, go to bar. repeat above.

I also read the twilight series.

I also sort of wished that I'd get pregnant so I could have a good reason for not moving across the country and being put through hell for two years. So I got an IUD. Because kids are forever and anesthesia school is only for 2 years......

[Anoxious]

No prep.... Listed as alternate from interview. One person dropped day before classes start. I happen to work night shift before school starts and get a wake up call at 10am, in school by 2pm tired as hell but excited to be there.

[dontquit]

Why the hell would you study before? They are going to put you throught the wringer....Enjoy your last days of freedom!!!


:washing:

[TXGas]

Read John Marble's book, maybe gonna buy Baby Miller or Barash or both. Hey dontquit, because it's a good excuse to get some quiet time to myself once in a while. With two little one's that is hard to do.

[snaggletooth]

I know everyone says relax and take a break etc. and I absolutely agree with that--took 4 months off myself--little vacation, little relaxin, finances and house in order, ...

but I also got advance copies of syllabi and started reading my text books early. It definitely helped me to hit the ground running when classes started full throttle.

If the instructors won't give them to you, try contacting upper classmates. Things change very little from year to year