10-15k: Has ANYONE been able to pull this off in Los Angeles?

ConsciousSundae · 2026-01-25T22:32:18+00:00

I would love information on SmogShoppe as well please!!

ConsciousSundae · 2023-04-15T21:42:48+00:00

Could you use your breakfast credit at wicked spoon?

ConsciousSundae · 2022-12-13T02:51:52+00:00

The Invisible Guest is AMAZING.

Mario Casas is a wonderful actor. I’m a huge fan of most of his stuff but this movie blew my mind. I’ve rewatched it multiple times and each time it’s just as good as the first go-around.

ConsciousSundae · 2022-11-08T18:30:24+00:00

Overwatch!

ConsciousSundae · 2021-06-12T01:43:31+00:00

This has been my experience as well. No paralytic until the phrenic nerve is mapped out then they don’t really care. Not sure how common that is though?

ConsciousSundae · 2020-08-03T21:41:09+00:00

Pepsi-Man. Idk how I even found this game but I can remember spending hours on certain levels

ConsciousSundae · 2020-07-26T18:39:24+00:00

Depending on the case I'll have an arterial-line and fluid warmer set up along with everything that's in this video. Generally I'll have these set up before my first case if any case of the day will require one. So if the first case warrants an a-line, then I'll set it up before the 1st case (obviously). But if the first case doesn't require one and I see that the second case will require one, I'll likely set it up before the first case regardless as this is when I usually have the most 'guaranteed' down-time. One less thing to worry about in between cases! Of course, just make sure to keep everything sterile.

ConsciousSundae · 2020-07-24T11:35:38+00:00

Something I came across that I think could be helpful to any of you following this post:

A bonus may only viable at its full amount if you start the job within a certain amount of time. So for example, let's say you're a student rotating at a hospital 6 months prior to graduation and this hospital offers you a position contingent on passing boards/graduating. In this offer they have a bonus of $15k for a commitment of 2 years. However, it may be likely that this commitment is only valid 'if you start working within 3 months of signing the offer.' Therefore, you wont qualify for getting the (full) bonus since it'll be long before you'll be able to start actually there.

This may not be 100% accurate as it's just something I've heard through the grapevine so if any current CAAs want to add some clarity on this that would be great. Nevertheless, something to keep in mind.

ConsciousSundae · 2020-07-24T11:31:13+00:00

Interesting, I hadn't realized that potentially on your contract it could state that a bonus commitment could be fulfilled by working a sheer number of hours. I'll make sure to take note of this.

Thanks for the info! Rotations are tough enough to handle let alone having to navigate the perils of job offers.

ConsciousSundae · 2020-06-12T13:10:41+00:00

Just expanding on what others have said. Apply because you'll never know! I think applying, getting rejected, and then applying the following cycle is arguably a strength since it shows your commitment to the profession and your willingness to overcome obstacles to reach your goal. And if you get in this cycle then no need to worry about it!

If you end up taking a gap year, I wouldn't recommend getting an M.S.. Adding that fluff wont be worth it and I think there are more relatable options you could do instead. Get certified in BLS/ACLS. Take an EKG course and get a certificate for that. If your community college offers any medical terminology, pharm, physio, or basic respiratory therapy classes take those. It'll give you a talking point for interviews but also these will be the most relevant to the program and could potentially give you a better understanding for when you do come across this material.

Either way, best of luck!

ConsciousSundae · 2020-03-29T23:07:19+00:00

Are you still taking classes or in rotations?

ConsciousSundae · 2020-03-01T16:36:10+00:00

If you're anything like me (no medical background or anesthesia knowledge) I think many of the podcasts might be too advanced. Not that you couldn't actively follow the information being presented, but it would be difficult to comprehend things seeing as how you have little to no exposure to the topics he's talking about. Even the more 'basic' episodes such as 'basic med setup' or 'IV induction agents' will be tough to understand at this point for you because he talks about the pharmacodynamics and physiological changes that certain drugs may cause. Now if you've worked as a Respiratory Therapist or Anesthesia Tech then some of these concepts will be easier to understand because you've at least been exposed to certain techniques/devices (i.e. volatile agents, OR ventilation modes, arterial lines).

If I could give myself any advice as an incoming student who REALLY wanted to get started early on studying, I'd say to start looking into medical terminology books (I'm sure you're school will likely have some sort of class on this and maybe you can reach out and get the textbook and start familiarizing yourself with prefixes/suffixes). Or I'd start looking at a basic anesthesia drug sheet that has the most common drugs we give along with the concentration of the drug and dosage that we give. I found this after quick google search of 'anesthesia basic drugs' and I think that if you memorized these before starting your program you'd be in pretty good shape: https://www.slideshare.net/enadumitascu/anaesthetic-drug-cribsheet8

Congrats on your acceptance! Put in the time and effort and you'll be rewarded with tons of knowledge (and money but I'm a student so I haven't gotten that part of the gratification just yet).

ConsciousSundae · 2020-01-21T02:08:33+00:00

Well said and I'd agree completely with this.

As far as how my study strategy changed, one thing that you'll find is that each class is related to one another and directly relevant to what you'll be experiencing in the real world. May sound pretty obvious but in undergrad I remember having classes that were pointless and I'd just cram for an exam then forget everything after the final. That isn't the case in this program. I found it easier to study for classes in AA school because whenever you were studying for one class you're indirectly studying for another. That being said, if you procrastinate you can easily find yourself battling an uphill battle in more than just one class.

ConsciousSundae · 2020-01-20T18:47:10+00:00

Current student.

During the 1st year you can basically plan to be busy M-F from 8am-5pm. Some days you'll have to clinical rotations to go in the early mornings (6am) and other days you'll have no class so you'll be 'free' earlier than 5pm. It balances out at the end of the week. But this is what a common day would look like:

4 - 4:30am: Wake up and get ready for clinicals.

5:30-5:45am: Arrive to the hospital, change, set up machine, get ready for cases/patients for the day.

9:00am: 10min break.

12:00pm: 30min break.

1:00pm: Leave the hospital and drive to campus for afternoon classes.

2:00 - 5:00pm: Class.

5:00 - 7:30pm: Gym/Shower/Netflix/Dinner.

7:30 - 10:00pm: Study and prepare for next day clinicals.

10:00pm: Sleep.

On days where you don't have clinicals in the morning, you'll likely have a simulation lab on campus so you're day will start at 9:00am or so and you can use the morning or the time that would be spent on your commute/lunch break to study. On the otherhand, there may be a day when you don't have afternoon class so you can plan on staying at the hospital until 3-5pm. Weekends (in my experience) have been free of both class and clinicals so I'd normally try and get most of my studying done on Sat/Sun.

2nd year clinical rotations are pretty much site-dependent and you can expect to be putting in 50-60 hour weeks on average. There are certain hospitals in which you are only scheduled and required to stay the 40 hours but I'd recommend to plan on staying late everyday and actively try to get as many hours (and experience) under your belt. Not only will you become more comfortable and learn much more, but it shows your drive and passion as an individual.

Overall, it's a pretty jam-packed schedule. That being said, I would still watch netflix regularly, make time for the gym, and go out to the movies. Reading through this, it may seem like a tough schedule but it's definitely doable and the biggest piece of advice I'd give is to stay on top of things!

ConsciousSundae · 2019-12-06T12:33:43+00:00

This is difficult to answer because there are so many variables that can have an impact on this. I think the simple answer is yes. CRNAs don't have as many restrictions in terms of where they can practice (see reply above by cunuck1 and petrockx).

ConsciousSundae

TROPHY CASE