"How I
Passed"Oral Exam -05 Insights and Reviews
To: <njensen@anesthesiologyboards.com>
Subject:
Board Certified!!!
Date:
Mon, 21 Feb 09:52:16 每0500
Dear Dr.
Jensen,
This
letter is to give you my most sincere THANK YOU. Please forgive me for
taking so long to write. I took my Oral Boards last April and found out
that I passed by the end of May. At first I was just basking in the
glory and relishing the thought of an entire summer without having to
study in my free time. I owe you such a debt for giving me my life
back. I don't know where I would be if I had not discovered your web
site. You got me through Written and Oral Boards. I was at your
January conference last year for Oral Boards and you told me I was 95%
there. I thank God that you were right.
In early
August I found out I was pregnant. I had lost a baby the previous
Spring right after attempting the Orals the first time. From testing
after losing the baby we found out that I have developed a clotting
disorder which has required me to take a lovenox injection in my stomach
throughout this pregnancy. This along with several other complications
required me to take a leave of absence from work.
The fact
that I am Board Certified gives me job security and peace of mind while
I am on this leave so I can concentrate on the health of my baby. We
are expecting our third healthy baby boy in early April.
I am
forever grateful to you for helping me to finally get to this point in
my life. I recommend you to anyone who needs the assistance. If there
is ever anything I can do for you to help in the work that you do please
do not hesitate to ask.
Thanks
again and always,
Ranger M.
To: "Niels
Jensen" <njensen@anesthesiologyboards.com>
Subject:
A Ranger Reports
Date:
Sun, 15 May 23:22:55 -0400
Niels,
I have
waited for a very long time to see my name listed as a ※Diplomate of the
American Board of Anesthesiology§; now that the scores are out, it is.
My path to this point has been more twisted and long than some. Without
your help, friendship, and support it would have been even longer.
When I
walked into the room for the orientation I expected to feel the
tenseness and collective apprehension you told us about. Knowing about
this helped me desensitize to it. Then we got our first case. Mine was
an OB labor epidural in a VBAC with uterine rupture written ALL over
it.
Sometime
between then and sitting down in the first room I lost the ability to
speak. Not talk, speak - as in I could not think of words. It may have
been the opening. They said, "Here, the Board wants you to have a glass
of water." And sitting on the table was a fresh glass of water.
Sounds calming, but all it did for me was bring to mind one of my
partners for whom they actually stopped the test last year and told him
to get a drink in the bathroom. He took the test this year, also.
They did
not want to go into the bowels of the question but wanted to talk about
a 'wet tap' , drug dosages and the difference between an epidural vs.
sub-dural vs. sub-arachnoid injection. About 10 minutes into the test I
was certain I had failed, but like you taught us I kept swinging.
Honestly, I had already begun making plans to attend again somewhere
else. During this time I thought I was doing a wonderful job presenting
and felt sad there was no content. When that ordeal ended I stood,
shook hands, thanked them and beat a hasty retreat out the door so they
could laugh in peace.
The
second room was assuredly harder for some but for me it was cake. An 85
year old with remote history of MI and infrequent CHF with renal
insufficiency, an enlarging 7 cm AAA and a BP of 185/100.
Not only
did you write about that case, not only did we hear a similar case at
the course, but I did it the week before in my practice (and for us that
is a normal case). But here again I couldn't speak. They asked about
the BP and I said you have to think of ...... it starts with an
"A"....and the second word starts with an "I".......We both know that
spiel and its three parts. Then things got better. Not good, but
better. I did not regain the ability to speak normally for some three
frustrating days after I got home.
The point
of this long missive is to thank you. Without your coaching, materials
and hand shake for luck the results would have been very different. Of
that there is no doubt. There are two things every Ranger needs to
know; trust your coach and believe what it says on the front of Big Red.
Niels,
this Ranger isn't going home. I'm still out here doing what we do -
studying to be a better anesthesiologist, and treating my patients with
dignity and to the best of my ability. Also, I hope to never forget
that we treat and God cures.
Ranger
Jim
From:
Date: Sun, 15 May 2005 23:24:59 EDT
Subject: Good news!
To: njensen@anesthesiologyboards.com
Hi Dr. Jensen,
I wanted to take a quick moment to let you know that you may now add
another pass to your column of success. I passed the Oral Boards! I
truly believe that it is all because of your great Board PREP. I would
have been totally blind-sided by them had I not been so thoroughly
prepared. Once again, your advice was right on the mark!
My first exam was a breeze! The examiners were interested in finding
out my knowledge base instead of terrorizing the hell out of me. The
second room wasn't so fun. My examiners were a "bow-tie" and a very
prim, severe looking woman. The initial case went well, but as the exam
progressed, the "bow-tie" became more and more aggressive and downright
hostile. I held my own, and thankfully did not become intimidated or
flustered. About the time I began to feel rattled, the knock on the
door came. Had I not been so thoroughly prepared, I probably would have
left in tears as I did at your first board prep.
I thoroughly feel the two preps were essential. The first one (early on
as per your suggestion) left me sufficiently shaken that I returned home
and really dug in my heels. I worked exceptionally hard and did so much
better on the second prep. Having improved that much and with the new
knowledge as to how to approach the aggressive examiner, I was able to
go into the real exam with sufficient confidence and courage to get the
dastardly deed done!
Thanks so much again. I truly believe I would have NEVER achieved Board
status without your help. Stay the course! You are truly a godsend.
You had mentioned an interest in looking at my cards. I will mail them
to you this week. It took me awhile to gather them up from all over the
house, car, and everywhere else I studied.
Thank you so much again, and I will definitely keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Ranger Judy
Date:
Fri, 15 Apr 2005 19:15:17 -0400
From: Dr.
S.
Subject:
hello
To:
//njensen@anesthesiologyboards.com
Respected
Dr Jensen,
I am
really happy to inform you that I did pass my Oral Boards & would like
to THANK YOU & all the other Doctors who have taken their weekends for
helping us.
I came to
both of your courses-Written & Oral- & both were of great help.
The most
important thing is relief for the next ten years--freedom to enjoy
weekends & vacations while feeling proud.
Yours
truly,
Dr. S.
Date: Mon, 16 May 2005 18:55:32 -0400
From: Dr. A
To: njensen@anesthesiologyboards.com
Subject: V-Day
April 15
Dear Dr.Jensen
Ranger A here reporting for the Dallas platoon. Yesterday we hit
the beaches of Ft. Lauderdale and we hit them hard. It appears we were
able to infiltrate the primary compound and complete the objectives
assigned.
I felt confident about my answers. They where direct, efficient,
and without deadly mistakes. It appears I sustained minor gun shot
wounds, but no head shots or lost limbs.
Later on that day I buried my ID band in the sands of Ft.Lauderdale
beach in memory of those who did not survive and those who will finally
be able to get on with their lives.
I wanted to thank you for your great coaching and encouragement. A
good teacher not only teaches the pertinent material, but is able to
instill confidence and courage. With courage and confidence I did not
panic and I was able to accomplish my objective even while being tested
by the president of the ABA! Even if I failed due to some stupid
discrepancy, I would have known I failed trying and I could hit the
beaches again next year with full force. Once again, thank you and I
will certainly let you know if I deserve to be promoted.
May 16, 2005:
Notification was received and I am worthy of diplomatic status and
full promotion! I believe 90% of the exam is presentation and 10% of
the exam is "Red Line issues". There were many topics on which you
helped me sharpen my knowledge and, more importantly, helped me organize
in order to present efficiently. I believe this is what it is all about.
I also felt knowing as much detail as I did on selected topics set me
apart from the rest of the examinees.
I really cannot thank you enough for your excellent review sessions
and, more importantly, your personal dedication to those who continue to
struggle. I will attempt to do my share and contribute as much knowledge
and experience as I can towards this unfair but essential cause.
Ranger A
Dallas Platoon 2005
Niels:
There are
many firefights up ahead, no doubt. . .but I can walk away from this
one! I PASSED, praise the Lord, I'm done!
It is
exhilarating news to tell you, but I passed my Oral Boards! Both T.
(whom I studied with the past few days before the exam) and myself
passed.
I wasn't
going to write until after I got the letter, but I known about
passing since last Friday. I thought it too brutal to look up online,
but then one of the attendings in my Department who also happens to be a
senior examiner asked me: "Did you know this?" "Know what?" I replied.
He showed me a web site on his laptop and I had no clue what he was
talking about, not even after I saw my own name on it. I thought it was
some sort of real estate listing or something related to my wife and I
looking for a house... Needless to say, I put the champagne in the
refrigerator the same day!
Today is
Norway's independence day, I am off from work, and celebrations were
just so much sweeter! We are having smoked salmon, scrambled eggs,
rolls, cream cake, chocolate cake and friends over--just like in the
good old Norwegian tradition. Everything is looking up!
I would like
to thank you for coaching me through all of this, and for being the
stronghold I could identify with - and for giving this exam a face. I
will try to remain good to my resolve and submit comments on Big Blue -
but first, I will enjoy my newly found freedom as a promoted Ranger
should long awaited leave, I'm finally home!
My very best
regards,--Dr. G
Hi
Niels.
I am
happily writing to let you know that although it was not easy, I passed
the Oral Board. I read Big Red 5 times, practiced with friends and
professors at UCLA, and attended your terminal tutorial in Ft.
Lauderdale.
My first
room was a breeze. However, I was met by two aggressive examiners (pit
bulls!!) in the second room. They had me on my toes the entire time,
constantly challenging my every answer. They prepared well for the
exam, often knowing what my answers had to be before I gave them. Then,
they attacked the answers. However, because of my preparation, I was
able to maintain my cool (and not get flustered) and explained my way
through them. It was difficult at times to know whether they were
testing my judgement and knowledge or flexibility. I guess I must have
made the correct treatment decisions. In discussing my exam experience
with friends, it appears that this is a common tactic on the examiners'
part.
I don't
know if you remember me, but I received a private exam from you. You
graded me as a marginal pass or fail because I made a killing error.
You thought that my presentation and fund of knowledge were "excellent."
Thank
you. We did it!
Dr. E.
To: <njensen@anesthesiologyboards.com>
Subject: Another Ranger Pass!
Date: Thu, 19 May 2005 18:44:35 每0400
Dear Friend Niels:
With your great help, I was lucky enough to have finished this process
having passed both Written and Oral portions of the examination the
first time through.
I made it through Big Blue five times in addition to a Ranger training
exercise paid for out of pocket during residency. (My Ivy League program
forbid us from using educational funds for the Jensen Board Prep). I
passed despite the fact that the time I allocated for final prep
evaporated when my practice asked me to start early--a common
phenomenon.
Oral boards were more difficult to allocate time for solid preparation.
Big Red, being one volume based on Blue material but focused especially
on controversies, allowed me three reads in six months time despite
being a junior in a busy practice. This, plus a field training
exercise, allowed me to participate in Oral Boards with confidence and
pass.
Again, many thanks for the material and the wisdom through this
difficult process.
Dr. C.
Hi Niels,
First
off, I passed my Oral Board exam in April!!
I went in
to the exam somewhat frightened, but PREPARED.
For the
most part I took the examiners by surprise, took control of the exam,
and powered through the exam questions until none were left and the
senior examiner had to make some more up.
I
couldn't have had such a great victory without the strong preparation
from your courses. I really think besides my own diligent study, the 2
Jensen Oral Board Review courses I attended made the biggest
difference. It's like you say, there is no substitute for going
through a large number of exam cases.
As for
the exam content, overall I would say it was simpler than what we
practiced in your courses. The cases were more straightforward, the
topics common, and I found the most difficult questions to be the ones
the examiners made vague. Asking for a repeat of the question or
clarification tended to help a lot. I had a case of an elderly
gentleman with CAD going for TURP. I was asked extensive questions
about listing specific risk factors for this patient in relation to
CAD. I was told the patient was sent to a cardiologist for a treadmill
and returned with results that were equivocal. My response was to send
him back since someone thought he needed the work-up and ask for a
different test. I was asked which test. I responded a stress
echocardiogram because it is very sensitive and specific for myocardial
ischemia. This satisfied the examiner so much it appeared he was able
to skip the next 3 questions (my perception anyway). I was also asked
about the risk factors in general for someone with various heart
disease issues going for an anesthetic. I quoted the major risk factors
as listed in the AHA study of (DAAV) active Dyspnea (cardiogenic-CHF),
malignant Arrythmias, unstable Angina, and certain degrees of Valvular
disease. This answer also appeared quite satisfying. I was not asked
about the intermediate and minor risk factors and risk stratification of
these patients. If I had not spent a week with in depth study of these
issues via the Gold Standard papers out there (2 of which I am aware),
I might have floundered.
Dr.
Rosenthal gave my exam group the "pep talk" prior to examination. He
was the director of the examination process this year. He indicated
that when asked a question we are to give a direct answer focused on
that question. If asked what drugs you will use for induction, it is
not appropriate to run through the long mantra of apply ASA monitors,
pre-oxygenate, have airway equipment ready and available, start an
a-line, apply a modified V5 EKG lead, etc. etc. They want a direct
answer. The Board claims they are NOT trying to trick us and want to
truly assess our knowledge in a straightforward manor.
However,
with that being said I can also tell you the Board has STRICTLY
instructed the examiners to have a stone face presentation, give no off
the cuff commentary or feedback and not to stray too far from the root
of the question. And this is what surprised me and was one of the
hardest elements to adjust too. Taking this exam was like talking to a
brick wall. No feedback whatsoever. One of my junior examiners had
placed a cup of drinking water on the table in front of me and offered
it to me at the beginning of the exam. I gulped it down and we started
the exam.
As is
typical of my personality the simpler questions were the more
challenging. After possibly exhausting the supply of questions at the
end of one exam, I was asked about a case of laparascopic bariatric
surgery. Extensive detailed questions on the reversal of neuromuscular
blockade. After reversal and extubation in the OR (successful also) we
are in the PACU with unexpected respiratory failure with SpO2 of 70%.
I was trying to go through the hypoxia spiel but was being pressured by
the examiner to DO something immediately. I said she needs intubation
and consideration of pneumothorax after laparascopic surgery. I was
then asked what muscle relaxant I was going to use for the intubation.
In a moment of absent mindedness I replied I would use the same one I
had used in the OR (cisatracurium). He said, "Doesn't that have a slow
onset?". I said assertively YES it does, gave the times in comparison
to other agents, and there was a knock at the door. In retrospect I
should have chosen rocuronium. The trick of the question is not to use
succinylcholine after a deep reversal, even when that is your first
instinct in the PACU for reintubation. I omitted studying this simple
topic in my preparation and almost was burned on it.
Reinduction/reintubation is a great topic for an exam because we rarely
do it.
Another
topic in the TURP patient was detailed questioning about water
intoxication syndrome and laboratory analysis and clinical diagnosis of
it. As it turned out my patient＊s serum sodium was normal and therefore
did NOT have water intoxication syndrome, but I had to demonstrate this
during the exam. I also had to indicate one advantage of a spinal over
general for TURP was the ability to monitor mental status.
Once
again Niels, thanks for your help, sincere concern for this cause, and
diligence in preparing us. I had no idea how relieved I would be to get
this behind me until it happened. I have to say the one thing which
inhibited my performance the most on exam day was simply anxiety.
Anxiety the night before eliminated quality sleep, anxiety of the exam
made me give a few stupid answers, and anxiety after the exam made me
constantly vacillate between projecting a win and lose. In retrospect,
having been through the process, I have to say if I had failed and had
to do it again I would not be as anxious. The whole process is no where
close to being as big a deal as the world makes it out to be. I would
strongly encourage everyone to COMPLETELY take the ENTIRE 24 hours
before the exam OFF from studying. Hard to do, but well worth it.
One word
of caution for those coming behind me. The ABA doesn't take care of you
when making the hotel reservations. This exam was located at a VERY
nice hotel in Ft. Lauderdale. Rooms on Travelocity start at $500 /
night. the ABA discount was $280 / night. The problem is that the ABA
does reserve a discounted BLOCK of rooms, but only those used by ABA
personnel and examiners are NON-SMOKING rooms. This means you can't
get a guaranteed non-smoking room via the ABA arrangement. I opted to
go down the street 1 block and stay in a Sheraton for less money and
guaranteed non-smoking. The room was only marginally acceptable, but
did serve its purpose. The facility and room were no where near as nice
as the Embassy Suites we stayed in during your Final PREP. Thanks for
picking a great hotel.
Niels,
again, thanks. Our teamwork was great. I worked my tail off, but you
provided the focus and insights crucial to my success.
Dr. L.
Date: Sun,
22 May 2005 00:07:15 -0700 (PDT)
From:
Subject:
Thanks for your help
To:
njensen@anesthesiologyboards.com
Niels,
Just a quick
note to thank you for your support in passing my Boards. I passed the
first time through the Written and Oral exams; and feel it was your
material and courses that put me over the top with each test.
Taking the
Oral course EARLY was key. It changed the way I studied. I practiced
out loud with friends from that point forward. I felt like I came to
New Jersey that weekend unsure of myself with my tail between my legs;
and when I left on Sunday I was ready to go toe to toe with you and the
rest of my examiners. Dr. Berry would have been very intimidating
without your course. He asked me why this patient was hypoxic. I gave
him the top three possibilities. ※What else?,§ he asked. I gave him the
whole list out of "Spiels". Again, ※What else§? At this point instead
of losing my confidence I found myself thinking... what's wrong with
this guy (no offense)? Anyway, learning and practicing poise amongst
friends at the course put me on the road to victory that weekend.
I have
already recommended your course to one colleague with battle wounds and
will happily continue to do so.
Thanks again
and continue the good work,
Your friend
and colleague,
Dr. K.
To:
njensen@anesthesiologyboards.com
Subject:
Victory at Last
Date:
Tue, 24 May 2005 16:00:30 +0000
Niels -
At long
last the letter came yesterday informing me of diplomate status with the
ABA. It was a victory which came after great effort and I want to thank
you most sincerely for the tremendous help you provided.
When the
letter arrived this time last year with news of failure it was a
devastating blow. I can never remember suffering such a personal
defeat. However, if good came of this process, it is that in the past
year I have gained better perspective about the people and issues which
truly define me (and I can tell you emphatically that I am not defined
in passing an absurd, unscientific and anachronistic measure set by
the ABA).
Actually,
Niels, I learned of success at the ABA's web site several days before
the letter arrived. Perhaps it was strange, but I kept this knowledge
to myself for several days, savoring its sweetness. I now realize even
more how the struggle was within myself. You have helped to teach me
the importance and reward of 100% devotion and I wish you the best of
luck in continuing to help others in this fight.
You and
your program of study are most highly regarded and will be most highly
recommended〞by me
Thanks,
Ranger
Chris
To:
njensen@anesthesiologyboards.com
Subject:
thank you
Date:
Mon, 30 May 2005 00:19:20 每0400
Hi Dr.
Jensen,
I passed
the Oral Boards and I want to thank you very much for your help. As I
said to you, your course and your way of coaching is excellent,
professional and organized. I'm so happy and want to tell you that the
examiners at the actual Oral boards were quite nice.
The
coaching materials you prepared were excellent and I highly recommend
your course to every one preparing for the Oral Boards. Also, I want to
thank your team, every one was up to the task. Many thanks to your
assistant Christine. She was so professional and accommodating.
Thank you
again and hope to see you soon.--Dr. S
To:
<njensen@anesthesiologyboards.com>
Subject:
Oral Boards
Date: Wed,
15 Jun 2005 18:59:07 每0400
Dear Dr.
Jensen,
This is
Dr. K. who took your Written and Oral Board prep courses. Your coaching
has helped me a great deal and I now passed my Boards on my first
attempt. Thank you very very much.
When I
came the first time for Written Board coaching, I was very happy with
your teaching. If one of the faculty members in my training program
spent 1/10th the time you do teaching I would not have needed
your coaching class. As it was, it was a Godsend.
Dr. K
To:
<njensen@anesthesiologyboards.com>
Subject:
oral board exam
Date:
Wed, 15 Jun 2005 11:11:40 每0700
Dear
Neils,
I took
your Oral Boards course in Fort Lauderdale in April. I was worried that
I would need to rename the battlefield "Fort Slaughterdale!" I went
through Big Red, Ranger Red and the CDs. I took 2 extra exams, and I
worked with a study buddy and we gave each other many mock orals. I was
away from my family for a 10 day stint- and it was worth it.
I took
the Oral on April 15. My first question was about a 60ish yr. old male,
smoker, MI 8 mos. ago but with good exercise tolerance coming for a
radical prostatectomy. There were 2 pieces of info in the stem that
were distracters/decoys from the enemy. This patient had a cordis in the
subclavian vein without explanation as to why and second, he had a "BNP
value of 300pG/ml"...I'm still not sure exactly what a BNP is, but
anyway, the senior examiner was somewhat hostile and tried to kill my
patient with hypotension intra-operatively and EKG changes and low urine
output. Thanks to TED FARIOS and other Spiels, I dodged some shots from
the enemy snipers. I took a flesh wound when I mentioned heparin as a
possible cause of intra-op bleeding and hypotension. They questioned me
as to why I thought the patient had heparin on board and I had to
back-peddle hard. They pursued me when I went down that path, but I
somehow managed to fend them off. I used the tactics we talked about at
the course.
The
second case was much easier. two friendly examiners.
29 yr old
female 130 kg 5'1" asthmatic, diabetic for pineal gland resection.
Outlining
as you taught me saved the day! I had a crystal clear plan for preop
eval tests... and planned for awake fiberoptic intubation. I
anticipated their questions associated with this case and that put them
on the defensive. I answered their questions before they asked them.
They asked me to draw 2 graphs. cerebral blood flow versus CO2
concentration and cerebral blood flow versus MAP〞both right out of Big
Red and 2 home runs out of the park!! I happened to have reviewed your
chart chapter as the final part of my study the night before the test!
Thank you, Niels.
Waiting
for results was gut wrenching, but when I logged on the web site and saw
"pass" I was so thankful and relieved I just about broke down. My wife
could not hold back. It took 4 attempts to pass the Written but I
passed the Oral on the first attempt. My study buddy passed too (his
second try).
Niels,
thanks for the training. Your material cut out all the fluff of
textbooks and clearly showed me what I needed to know for the Oral. The
mock orals are vital. I was scared going to battle, but I think all
Rangers are. My drill Sergeant trained me well and gave me the tools
for victory over the enemy. Thanks for that and for helping me achieve
this great Victory!
Ranger T.
-honorably discharged and going home.
Date:
Wed, 29 Jun 2005 17:04:15 -0400
Subject:
Anesthesia Orals
To:
njensen@anesthesiologyboards.com
Dr.
Jensen,
I just
wanted to inform you (and thank you) that I passed the ABA Orals this
past April! Looking back, my attendance at your courses and practicing
under "live fire" was most instrumental.
It turns
out that I needed every bit of preparation I achieved. At the actual
exam, I was tattered and battered such that I thought that I had failed
the exam for sure. The remedy for that in retrospect would have been
more live Oral practice. I was prepared to take the exam again next
year and was ecstatic when I found out about my passing score.
This fall
is the Pain Boards. It'll require some preparation, but I don't
anticipate the fear and uncertainty that I associated with the ABA
Orals.
Thanks
again for being available for my ABA Boards preparation. Your materials
truly made a vital difference in my path to Board Certification.
Sincerely, Dr. C.
Date: Thu,
27 Oct 2005 22:21:21 -0700 (PDT)
Subject:
Oral Exam results-- YeeHaa!!
To:
njensen@anesthesiologyboards.com
Dear Niels,
Thank you!
This Ranger has passed the Oral examination. I felt really horrible
when I walked out of the exam room in San Francisco. The knowledge
gained from Big Red, and from the two tutorials I attended (both in
Chicago at the Hyatt Rosemont) were key to my passing.
Thank you
from the bottom of my heart- you have been an excellent motivator (both
by encouragement and fear!) and an excellent teacher. I will always
remember your coaching and your concern for me.
Sincerely,
M., M.D.
Board
Certified Anesthesiologist
Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2005 19:44:54 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Oral Exams
To:
njensen@anesthesiologyboards.com
Dear Dr. Jensen,
I took my Oral this morning. No doubt, with your help, I did much
better than last year. It felt so much better!
Attending your Final Prep helped me a great deal. Your Outlining ideas
changed the way I used to dissect the stem question, especially the Red
Line issues.
I looked and sounded more confident. I had practiced using my hands and
being more animated, looking the examiners in the eyes, and using my
voice better. Your feedback when I did a case with you helped me focus
on my presentation and was invaluable.
I have done my best. I am hoping and praying that I'll pass. I put my
best foot forward far better than last year. I believe I won.
With best regards,
Ranger S., M.D.
To: "Niels
F. Jensen" <njensen@anesthesiologyboards.com>
Subject:
Diplomate American Board of Anesthesiology
Date: Wed,
2 Nov 2005
Niels,
My deepest
and heartfelt THANK YOU for a job well done. I could not have done it
without your help. You have stayed the course for many years and have
many who owe you a debt of gratitude. I am now one of those. I only
wish my friend Carlos would have told me of your course sooner.
When I read
those first few words 'Congratulations＊, my wife was at my side and it
brought tears to my eyes for like so many others, I had developed a lack
of self worth due to my previous failures and this has exacted a
terrible toll on my family. This is all finally behind me now, thank
God.
I highly
and without reservation would suggest that anyone who really desires to
pass their Boards - commit time to reading Big Blue for the Written and
Big Red for the Oral, attend the courses and listen to the CDs. If they
do, I can say for sure they will have eventual success. Never quit,
strive for excellence and win the war before the battle is fought.
Niels,
I'll
miss you personally, but not the process. I do send along my very
highest and heartfelt "Thanks".
Warrior P.
M.D.
P.S. I hope
you start doing a course down here in beautiful, sunny, and delightful
Houston
Date: Wed, 02 Nov 2005 10:58:46 -0900
Subject: Re: Board PREP Order
To: Niels Jensen <njensen@anesthesiologyboards.com>
Dear Dr. Jensen,
I'm sure there are many letters coming your way regarding success of
people passing the Oral exam. I hope there are very few failures.
Fortunately, I will not have to sacrifice another year to visit
with "our friends," the ABA. With your help, Victory is sweet! Please
celebrate with me! This is as much a Victory for you and your program
as it is for me. I really feel that way.
Congratulations to you and your faculty for having such a finely tuned
preparatory course. I took your LA and Final prep courses and I sure
did not regret it. You gave me the ability to demonstrate the
knowledge the Board is looking for. You taught me how to take the
exam. Most of all you gave me the confidence to be successful. By the
time we finished, I was not going to be denied. Thank you!
Could you please send a list of your Oral examiners who were at the SF
course. I would like to send them all my sincerest thank you.
Niels, "You da Man." Thanks!
B., M.D.
Dear Dr. Jensen,
I passed my Oral Boards! Sorry I am late informing you about it. I had
written to you immediately after my exams that attending your course
helped a great deal.
Attending the Final PREP gave me a lot more confidence. Confidence
changed the way I presented. I was not as nervous as during my last
exam.
I have to mention the Red Line issues. I think I failed last time
because I didn't outline the stem the way you taught. I keep thinking
if only I had attended your course last time maybe I would have passed.
Anyway, I passed this time in-spite of facing the same examiner. (I was
shocked to start the exam with him〞the very same examiner. But I didn't
feel intimidated by him this time).
This is a huge relief for my whole family. My husband and son are happy
that I can spend more time with them. I am going to India to see my
father who has advanced prostate cancer. (I didn't go
with my husband and son last summer because I was studying for this
difficult exam.)
I can't thank you enough for coaching me how to take these exams (both
Written and Oral) and helping to get this ordeal behind me.
With regards
P., M.D.
Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2005 17:37:11 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Sept Oral Boards
To: njensen@anesthesiologyboards.com
Dear Dr. Jensen,
Just wanted to let you know that I passed my Oral Boards on the first
try this September. Your course was definitely instrumental in guiding
my review process and helping me to tackle the actual exam. Many friends
and colleagues offered other suggestions as to how to pass the exam, but
I stuck with Big Red, 2 review courses (April-Ft. Lauderdale,
Sept.-Dallas) and lots of prayers!
Please let the Dallas staff know how wonderful they were. The exams
they gave were challenging, and the actual exam seemed like just another
practice with them. I really wanted to be one of the ones not to go
before the group. I had been an amateur concert pianist at one point
and after a bad performance in college had developed a terrible case of
stage fright. The small Dallas class size and the professionalism of
you and my peers helped me to overcome this--just in time! Thank you and God Bless you and yours,
With gratitude,--J. M.D.
Date: Wed, 9 Nov 2005 5:51:38 -0500
To: njensen@anesthesiologyboards.com
Subject: VICTORY for Ranger V!
Dear Niels!
I just received the official letter from the American Board of
Anesthesiology. It started with CONGRATULATIONS!!! Very few times in my
life I have felt so much happiness and relief... I feel like crying even
now, weeks after hearing as I write this to you.
I don't want to tell you thank you for helping me pass the Boards.
You've heard it too many times, I＊m sure.
I want to tell you thank you for helping me to get my life back... And
you are right: there is nothing like the sweet, sweet, sweet taste of
Victory ! Remember my dream of taking my son to the US Open? Soon,
like so many other of my deferred dreams, it will become a reality.
Finally, thank God.
Thank you, my dear friend Niels. We did it. We were a great, great
team. I wish we could celebrate together.
My best wishes to you and your family. I hope Hannah and Adrienne are
doing well.
Good-bye--my dear friend, Niels.
Ranger V (ictory)!!!
P.S.: I'll see you for Pain Boards.
Dear Friend Victor!
Wow, wonderful, great, congratulations, you deserved it, and I could not
be happier! This is truly worth celebrating and I wish you were here
tonight. We should be just starting an evening of true, old fashioned
fun. After all, times like this just don't come around every day, my
friend.
Well, well, well. You did it, as I knew you would. Last year was a
very bitter pill for both of us to swallow, especially you. I admired
very much the way you hung so tough and handled that loss.
Alex needs to know when he grows older that what his father did defines
honor and courage under fire. He needs to know his old man is a Warrior
in the truest sense of the word.
I hope perhaps we might go to the US Open together for a day or two with
our kids. Wouldn't it be grand?
Thanks for your great heart, trust, friendship, loyalty, and support. I
passed you the ball, and you hit the big shots in the key moments.
I am so very proud of you tonight, my friend, and I know your parents
are proud, too, wherever they may be.
Best personal regards and with great fondness and friendship. Onward to
Victory!
NFJ
Subject: good news
Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 01:24:45 -0500
Hi Niels,
Like many of
your other students, I passed the Orals. When I got in front of the
class and you asked me about transtracheal jet ventilation in Chicago I
really didn＊t know much about it but was able to get through the exam.
You said you would have passed me. During the actual exam, I got the
EXACT SAME question and was able to nail it.
Thanks for
your help!
R., M.D.
To: njensen@anesthesiologyboards.com
Subject: RE: oral board
Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2005 14:28:48
-0600
Hi, Dr. Jensen,
The letter of Congratulations
came, and this Ranger is going home. I did it on the first attempt.
I am no stranger to you. I
attended many of your classes in the past and the last one was the week
before the Oral Board at the Holiday Inn Crown Plaza in SF.
You corrected my mistakes and
more importantly you told me I have to buy a tie and jacket. With your
help, that of your staff, and almighty God, I passed my exam on the
first attempt. I really do want to thank you.
Best wishes to you and your
family
Dr. L
Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2005 09:19:01
-0500
To: <njensen@anesthesiologyboards.com>
Subject: Re: Board PREP Order
Dr. Jensen,
I passed!
The Sept.26th offensive went off
without a hitch. After 4 Jensen Tutorials, my armor proved
impenetrable. After the first five min.'s of each assault they realized
that they could not defend their lines. The white flags went up, and
then we had tea.
Even though I felt very
prepared, the Final PREP was crucial for me. I had a major insurgency
developing on the home front prior to the battle. The Final Prep
allowed me to refocus and prepare my weapons for battle. However, since
not trained at handling an insurgency I was taken-out by an I.E.D. upon
return to the motherland.
Thanks again for all of your
advise and encouragement during this critical and critically stressful
time in my life.
"Ranger Bill"
Dear Friend "Ranger
Bill":
Thanks very much for writing and
congratulations. You did excellent at the courses and I'm sure you were
one of the very top candidates they tested that week. In other words,
you weren't just a warrior when you went in there but rather a Delta
force member. Delta force elite fighters not only win, they don't take
hostages--they literally destroy the examination. I believe this is
what you are describing and exactly what you did.
I am sorry about your personal
travails. My only hope is that they are not related to stress of the
examination. To an extent we often don't realize, this process is very
hard on our families and loved ones. The chronic stress of this exam
certainly fractures relationships and often, sadly, shatters them as
well. I hope this was not the case here and that you getting back any
personal happiness which may have been lost for awhile.
You are a winner in all
respects, stay positive, it was a pleasure to get to know you, call me
if I can ever be of support or help in any way, congratulations, and
best personal regards,
Niels
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