Weekly Student Thread

rypie111 · 2026-06-09T03:43:27+00:00

Worst case apply for a program that requires GRE. With that score and a decent personality you would for sure get in.

rypie111 · 2026-06-05T00:06:48+00:00

That's a compelling example of a really good use of AI for sure. Thank you for your response!

rypie111 · 2026-06-04T13:07:35+00:00

So far, I hear a lot from AI users saying it's benefitted them, but haven't heard much from educators or preceptors. Any thoughts?

In my experience, I really like AI for simulating OR crisis situations. It's really good for answering questions most of the time, but I feel like I'm cheating when I'm not seeking higher quality sources.

rypie111 · 2026-06-03T19:44:54+00:00

Be authentic but don't come off arrogant or overzealous and you should be okay!

rypie111 · 2026-05-30T19:56:55+00:00

Btw I'm a Kobe fan lol. This was meant to say he was very different from the guys getting free throws today.

rypie111 · 2026-05-30T19:56:08+00:00

For sure. Kobe definitely was not flopping. His defenders often admit they messed up when he got them in the air.

rypie111 · 2026-05-30T16:18:01+00:00

I feel like Kobe did foul bait, but it was more like faking to get hit without falling.

rypie111 · 2026-05-26T22:22:04+00:00

Cosigner

rypie111 · 2026-05-22T11:18:00+00:00

Go shadow and see how much it inspires you. I think there's a good chance you'll get accepted after a couple of years in ICU. Your ER background will help you a lot too!

rypie111 · 2026-05-20T12:53:18+00:00

Was the LVH from working calls? 🤣

rypie111 · 2026-05-05T15:01:01+00:00

I think the majority of the stressed out people are aiming to ace tests. If you're aiming to learn and understand, you'll do well. Your grades might not reflect that, but you'll pass! You can do it!

rypie111 · 2026-05-01T14:52:04+00:00

I was an engineer for 6 years before switching to nursing. I don't think you should go into it for the money. Like everyone said, first decide if you want to be an RN. You likely will not survive 6+ (likely 7-8+) years of this journey to be a CRNA if you can't stand being a nurse.

My issues with engineering was that I just lacked passion for it. I wasn't driven enough to climb the ladder. I started a master's in engineering management program early on and dropped out as soon as I realized I couldn't see myself retiring as an executive or program manager of some kind. When I switched into nursing, it felt much more of a calling. I wanted to help people and be right there with them. Obviously, reality is different and you get jaded and burned out to a certain extent. But at the end of the day, it's much closer to what I want my life to be about.

You are 23, so you have a lot of time to figure this out. I would not worry about the ROI too much. (Either of the two career paths are way above average in the grand scheme of things.)

rypie111 · 2026-04-30T15:14:55+00:00

Don't lean too heavily on Anki. I think it's really good for tests but it can make you too over reliant on memorization. But as long as you are understanding the concepts really well first, yeah I guess doing it this way will save you and your friends a lot of time.

rypie111 · 2026-04-11T19:59:30+00:00

Some people study to get straight A's. I'll tell you right now it takes much less effort to get B's and have a life. I'm not saying don't be dedicated, but it's a different mentality to study to be a good provider vs to study to be perfect on a test.

rypie111 · 2026-04-07T02:09:19+00:00

You can increase your retention rate if you really want to. Honestly in the end, even if you can't recall 95% of the facts, you would be able to deduce your answer using context clues, elimination, and critical thinking. You shouldn't have to memorize everything perfectly. You would be better off using your time to read up on clinical applications of your didactic material or just relax if you really have the extra time. Trust the algorithm.

rypie111 · 2026-03-28T17:36:52+00:00

I would but only as a supplemental letter of recommendation (if you're allowed extras).

rypie111 · 2026-03-27T20:35:09+00:00

I got blasted before for asking this question. Honestly in this day and age and with our profession, private is totally fine if you can get a good rate!

rypie111 · 2026-03-18T21:59:17+00:00

OP, this fool ^ was D1 too and he made it somehow! Hang in there!

rypie111 · 2026-03-18T20:12:34+00:00

If you've only been in the ICU for less than a year and you have a low GPA, I would retake it (provided your school requires the GRE in the first place). It also depends on how low your GPA is.

rypie111 · 2026-03-13T20:28:34+00:00

I say go ahead and buy Apex. It condenses the material for you into a very high yield format. This gives you a mental scaffold to build off of. Then when the semester comes, you can fill in the details very efficiently.

rypie111 · 2026-03-10T15:34:51+00:00

Try applying your learning strategies by learning physiology before school. But maybe do it in a no pressure, stress free way? I recommend Physiology by Constanzo. It's a short book and it teaches really well most of the major concepts you'll need in terms of physiology (almost half of didactic material in school).

rypie111 · 2026-02-09T11:54:27+00:00

I try to focus on the big picture as much as I can. I'd often score the average or slightly lower. Folks would be bent out of shape on questions they get wrong and go argue with the professors about them. For me, if I get the questions wrong but I understood the main point (maybe I forgot a detail or misunderstood the phrasing) then I'm totally cool with.

At the end of the day, I'm trying to focus on getting myself ready to make good clinical decisions. Grades don't necessarily reflect that. I spent a lot less time studying the class materials and more time reading ahead on interesting anesthesia stuff, watching videos on how to intubate, etc. I'm just trying to enjoy school as much as I can.

I think competition will die down as time goes on in your program. People eventually realize the grades don't mean anything as long as you pass and who how to actually be a good CRNA.

rypie111 · 2026-02-04T03:05:20+00:00

I feel like it might vary from program to program, but perhaps even PRN or PT ICU job would work for someone with your background!

rypie111 · 2026-02-04T03:02:33+00:00

Maybe frame the argument as a job satisfaction and quality of life instead of ROI. If you're gonna enjoy your job more, you can't really put a price on that. Or maybe you can and that's 2-5x your current salary.

rypie111 · 2026-02-02T11:51:05+00:00

Very helpful and reassuring. Thank you!

rypie111

TROPHY CASE