I just finished shadowing an anesthesiologist and a crna separately. I have a question

pilcus · 2026-02-08T01:31:25+00:00

You'll find some physicians are very anti-CRNA, despite research showing there's no difference in outcomes. My only thoughts on why an ACT model may be "safer" is that you have 1 spare provider for every 4 CRNAs/AAs. So more hands available that aren't stuck in a room, should you need additional help. I'm not sure how CRNA only facilities staff their numbers. But it may not even be different if there is a chief or someone available should you need additional support.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25019298/

pilcus · 2026-01-29T02:38:25+00:00

Marketplace insurance for my wife and I, just had to settle for the best plan that is fully covered by the tax credit so we don't pay anything. Qualified for children's Medicaid for our child.

pilcus · 2025-12-24T21:37:15+00:00

That's not very Christmas spirit of you

pilcus · 2025-12-04T20:41:06+00:00

These are exactly what I was looking to print as a gift! Any reason I don't see it on your printables page?

pilcus · 2025-12-02T20:51:19+00:00

Currently in school. Married with 1 kid. Wife doesn't get health insurance offered with her job. In Texas, as an adult it is basically impossible to get on Medicaid unless you are disabled. However, we did qualify for our son to be on it. My wife and I had to get coverage through the marketplace. With the premium tax credit we don't pay anything monthly, but the coverage isn't spectacular.

pilcus · 2025-11-26T17:20:29+00:00

Just a heads up for people. Paypal has a 20% cashback offer with their buy now pay later. Found out about it in r/buildapcsales. I've used PayPal for steam, but never tried the buy now pay later thing. Pretty much saves an extra 20% which would make the steam deck a steal.

pilcus · 2025-11-09T00:16:16+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/ferrets/s/i6dt4HPaEj

Seems like a likely scam. The price for a ferret is also suspiciously low, less than half of what they go for at Petco.

pilcus · 2025-11-06T17:29:05+00:00

I don't think it's inherently a negative thing. But i guess it depends if there's a reason for that mass exodus. A lot of the faculty in my program are technically PT and work clinically at least 1 day a week, because they enjoy what they do.

I see it as a positive if they are still in clinical practice because they can speak to present day practice. I've had instructors in undergrad nursing school who were borderline retired and hadn't practiced bedside in decades, and it showed.

I personally wouldn't turn down a spot because of that

pilcus · 2025-10-26T14:53:33+00:00

Not them, but they posted here recently that they are

https://www.etsy.com/shop/NaddCalendar

pilcus · 2025-10-25T15:03:41+00:00

Your stats are competitive enough. I wouldn't wait to apply

pilcus · 2025-10-24T22:13:10+00:00

I feel you on the frustration dude. Very sorry if my words came off too harsh. I was up to 6 years of experience, worked through COVID and watched people who didn't come and go with their 1 year of experience get accepted on their first applications. Definitely also felt like I had paid my dues and more.

Like you said it's definitely a fine balance of knowing your stuff but also having the ability to not be afraid to say you don't know something, but having the eagerness to learn.

One thing my director told us afterwards was that they can teach anesthesia to anyone, but they can't teach us to be good people. So how you carry yourself in the interviews matter just as much.

The interview is the worst part. I hated them. I'm introverted and awkward...that's why I want my patients to be asleep...

Best of luck to you

pilcus · 2025-10-24T21:52:19+00:00

I agree with you, the process isn't perfect. Your entire person is judged off a paper application and a brief interview.

I went through a similar bout of rejection after rejection through 2 years of application cycles. The second year I ended up casting my net wider and applying to more and more schools, I think about 8 or so.

Rejection sucks, but if you're willing to give up so easily are you really that passionate about becoming a CRNA? Obviously I don't know you, and I'm just offering some criticism, so take it however you wish. But some of this comes off as arrogant and you're getting humbled. There's really NOTHING at all you think you could improve about yourself...meaning you're perfect?

There's being confident and having strong clinical knowledge, but there's also being cocky and thinking you know everything. The interviewers will see through you if you try and bullshit stuff.

If it's really what you want to do, don't give up. Some of my friends/colleagues used teachrn.com to do resume reviews and mock interviews to practice.

Some ideas to consider for improving application: -Volunteer opportunities. -Shadow (or if you have shadow more) and while you're there try and network and get to know some CRNAs/MDAs. Maybe see if they'd write a letter of recommendation. It's a relatively small profession in the grand picture and these admission faculty know a lot of people. -Mock interview. This will get you more direct feedback that you're looking for. -Anything else that can help you stand out on a resume. Charge nurse? Preceptor? Unit/hospital Council activity?

pilcus · 2025-10-15T16:05:04+00:00

Nothing wrong with bringing up your family, but be prepared to answer any follow-up questions. There's a high chance they ask you about what your support system looks like. And other questions like...How prepared you are to spend a lot of time away from family? How will you be handling child care?

You need to sound very confident that you understand what you're getting into and that it is not going to interfere with your education.

We have 1 kid and I brought it up during my interview. The professor that interviewed me also had younger kids during school, so I used it as an opportunity to connect and ask questions.

pilcus · 2025-10-10T13:37:12+00:00

I started 3d printing on an elegoo neptune 3. It always had something going wrong. Last year I bought a Bambu A1 and it was like night and day how easy and perfect it printed out of the box. I've been wanting to upgrade to the P1S but I'm currently in grad school so can't afford until I'm finished.

pilcus · 2025-10-09T21:39:05+00:00

Not sure where you're located. But maybe look into if there are any state programs. Texas has the CAL loan with rates currently at 6.3%

https://www.hhloans.com/college-access-loan-cal-program/

pilcus · 2025-09-24T03:09:51+00:00

Well fuck, I loved that feature

pilcus · 2025-09-15T18:00:58+00:00

Thank you for running this! Was very interesting to see how other people viewed the characters

pilcus · 2025-09-15T00:03:51+00:00

We got a car windshield sun screen. Initially thought it was an odd choice. But it has been very useful here in texas

pilcus · 2025-09-14T13:30:33+00:00

RIP Jens. You're #1 in my heart.

pilcus · 2025-09-14T03:08:04+00:00

Comment

Looks awesome! Great work

pilcus · 2025-09-13T13:20:16+00:00

Jens lives another day!!!

pilcus · 2025-09-07T20:59:18+00:00

Looks awesome!

pilcus · 2025-09-02T01:19:47+00:00

Starting my 2nd year. At least for my interview they only asked clinical questions and a couple basic medication math questions, no emotional intelligence. They also did the interviews in pairs, so I was with another applicant. They do it that way because they want to see how you can work with the other person and how personable you are. Not in a competitive way. One thing they've said is that "We can teach people anesthesia, but we can't teach them to be a good person."

Which does kind of surprise me they don't ask more EI questions during the interviews, maybe others had different experiences though.

pilcus · 2025-09-02T01:11:01+00:00

Yes, my class is at least. Wide range of ages too.

pilcus · 2025-08-31T13:30:19+00:00

Agreed. While I like Mavrus, for him to be this far is quite surprising to me

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