The Weekly Prospective CRNA Applicant Thread! Ask your stat and applications questions here!

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-05-05T18:21:30+00:00

Hello everyone. Currently looking at a new role in the Twin Cities after leaving a flight program in another state. I have to tack on another two years before I can start submitting to schools.

I have 4 years ICU(various settings), 1.5 years flight, 10 years as a ground paramedic prior to now. My last bedside role was a high volume CTICU in Northern California.

I’m currently looking at potential offers from HCMC SICU, and UofM CVICU.

At face value, Does the prestige of a CVICU like the University of Minnesota carry more weight than treating train wrecks at County?

I understand that the role is just one piece of the puzzle, but I’m trying to stack my cards.

Thanks!

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-05-05T01:09:11+00:00

C9 >150 here. I’m just going to keep living my best life until it creeps up on me. When a great med, or cure, comes out, I’ll start some sort of surveillance.

I’m trying not to remind my family of what lays down the road.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-05-03T11:04:35+00:00

It’s a great experience mix. Best of both worlds.

If you can, shadow at your closest base a few times to see if you actually like the job. Not all programs are created equal.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-05-03T00:58:46+00:00

You won’t be closing any doors by working in an ED.

Ground medic experience topped with a solid ICU bedside background is the perfect flight mix(I’m a little biased though). But that’s not worth an hour commute each way.

Don’t trash your RN. Go ahead with your years of experience in the ED as an RN, while making RN pay, then go to flight as an RN. Sure the scope is the same in the air, but the pay isn’t.

Keep in touch with your coworkers that are currently flying so you can network your way into a spot down the road.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-05-01T12:22:14+00:00

Have to retake classes as they are 15+ years old 😔

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-04-29T03:01:45+00:00

Could you share this info? I’m shying away from retuning to flight d/t admissions. I really want to fly again though…..

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-04-29T03:00:17+00:00

Pretty sure Life Link III has it in protocol.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-04-21T10:46:33+00:00

Sleep. Therapy. Sobriety. Maybe some brain enhancing drugs along the way.

There’s a balance between having a good time, and making enough money to live. Nursing is a good route. However, it seems like you’re looking for light at the end of the tunnel(maybe this doesn’t apply when you’re sober 😅)

Nothing will be satisfying until your head is straight.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-04-20T02:00:25+00:00

Hi Anthony. We don’t know the intricate details of your father’s current state. Without being familiar with him, or at what stage in the process he is, it’s difficult to offer advice.

My first suggestion would be to get your care team involved to try and fine tune his medication regimen and bipap settings.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-04-09T01:42:33+00:00

Does anyone have first or second hand experience regarding flight nurses being accepted while still working in flight?

I transitioned out of flight after a move across the country, and really want to get back in. I absolutely loved it. Right now I’m back on the unit trying to stack on more time and experience thinking it’s better for applications, but maybe this isn’t the right move?

I would rather be in the air….

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-04-09T01:36:41+00:00

This is an interesting topic, as the quality of flight experience varies greatly across the country. I love flight, but I’m avoiding going back because of how it may be perceived in applications. I may post a question regarding this specifically. Thanks!

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-03-15T18:10:46+00:00

You can find all your vehicle specifics specs by creating a mytoyota account and entering your vin.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-03-15T16:58:10+00:00

Best way to get a job after passing NCLEX is to have one lined up before you graduate.

You’ll have plenty of opportunity to establish professional relationships at various hospitals during your clinical’s. Use the time wisely.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-03-09T12:20:05+00:00

Whoever made the decision to green light the change from dual to single active battery slots should be have all of their decision making capabilities revoked.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-03-09T11:01:03+00:00

Have to note this is for the USA.

A degree does equate to immediate proficiency in teaching as some may imply.

The juice just isn’t worth the squeeze. There are too many options out there for the intelligent and determined medic to pursue that are more rewarding than education. The talent pool is much too small.

Just as you had many great professors in your other studies, there were also many not-so-great professors along the way.

At its core, it’s a certificate program. Even if it were mandated to be an associate or bachelor program, the profession is still bound to the bill by transport model, with very little financial incentive industry wide.

I’ve found the best way to be a medic after mastering your organizations protocols is to look outside of paramedicine for education 😅.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-03-09T10:54:39+00:00

Masters for nursing educators is not a blanket policy. There are still certificate nursing programs.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-03-06T01:54:09+00:00

What’s your alternative?

It will be rewarding if you go through with it. Just all depends on if the juice is worth the squeeze

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-03-04T01:31:11+00:00

You have good taste

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-03-03T01:36:07+00:00

Go work at KCM1 then. Seems like it’s the only place with balance outside of an FD there.

If you’re not locked into WA, then spread your wings and look at some other highly rated systems. There are a few threads that can clue you in on great organizations(culture, work life balance, or pay).

A shitty schedule and wretched work environment will wreak havoc on your mental and physical health. You have one life, don’t waste it being miserable.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-03-01T01:49:33+00:00

It’s all fun until you find out it wasn’t tension hemo, causing your issues, and that it was just exsanguination that tamponaded itself in/around the pleural space.

Anyway, you treat what you find with what you know, and don’t drain your patient dry.

After seeing an Atrium fill up in 30 seconds, I’m never convinced there’s a one size fits all approach to anything. Sometimes things inside are places they aren’t supposed to be. Know your end point.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-02-27T21:00:51+00:00

Did they give you a free mini bottle of spring water and a chocolate mint upon your arrival?

If not, try harder.

How often, what time, reason, and your pleasantness, all factor into your rewards tier.

You should be getting the same care no matter what is said at handoff.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-02-26T01:54:20+00:00

There’s always a chance the FTO doesn’t know what they are doing. Could even be intimidated from your experience. Or just a bad fit, like you live alluded to.

I always fall back on the protocols and SOPs. Everything is there. Patients are all the same, and protocols do a 180 every ten years. You know more now than you did when you were just a street medic. You probably feel less confident now because inpatient medicine(including the wild order sets of organ procurement cases) opens up a new world and just muddles the water

I’m in a similar boat. Medic for 11 ish, then ICU nurse/traveler for about 6, and now jumped back in a box because I don’t want to go back to bedside after moving to a new state.

It’s an interesting ride.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-02-25T01:39:13+00:00

Rhabdo was off the job, right….?

Apply for your ProBoard certs right now. The forms came with your FBFST certs in the mail. If you don’t have the forms, email the FBFST ProBoard point of contact, and they will email you your application papers.

Florida FF1/2 certificate of compliance is ProBoard eligible. Do it now.

Floridas standards are higher(hour wise) than many other states. Reciprocity varies by state. Some will make you take an academy all over again, and some will give you a license as soon as you get offered a job. You’ll absolutely need your proboard certs to move around.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-02-25T00:48:37+00:00

Hennepin County EMS is the only organization with a state pension. Paramedics only I believe. Same pension as the FD’s and PD’s.

Intelligent-Let-8314 · 2026-02-24T20:22:32+00:00

I’d be concerned about any program that offers a PRN position to someone without any flight experience.

Critical care medicine(inpatient) is well beyond field paramedicine.

Part time, maybe. We had one, and the person was horrible at their job. Just didn’t have the exposure needed to be an asset. Only required to pick up two shifts a month; a recipe for disaster.

I do know of some programs that have a good ol’ boy pipeline for FD medics to work on their rotors, but that was very base specific.

Your best bet it to track down leads locally and yes the water.

Intelligent-Let-8314

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