by RACH22689

I am awhile away from becoming a CRNA (im a sophmore in the nursing program) but i have a question on to how you get a job in critical care. I know that you have to have at least 2 years of experience to critical care in order to become a CRNA. Every critical care job that i search always requires 1 years of prior critical care. How do you get to be a nurse in the ICU if every ICU nursing job requires 1 year of prior experience? I want to go into critical care right out of nursing school--is that possible? Thanks for the help.

Rachel

Re: Critical Care question about nursing experience

There are hospitals that hire new grads for critical care. Some offer a critical care internship, providing training and then offering some participants posiitons. Some smaller hospitals will place new grads directly into critical care. Just check around and do some research. It's also not a bad idea to get your foot in the door working as a tech, we have hired a couple of new grads that previously worked as techs on our unit.

Re: Critical Care question about nursing experience

Even though many hospital job postings state "1 year of experience required" I have always found that to be a standard disclaimer which is often ignored. Try and get a job as a nurse intern or nurse tech (or whatever your hospital calls it) in a MICU, SICU, CVICU, etc. and that will help to open the doors to a position on that unit when you graduate.

Re: Critical Care question about nursing experience

Hello,

I am also interested in becoming a CRNA. I did not get hired in the ICU following graduation for the same reasons you have explained, but I do know that it does happen sometimes. I noticed that any of the nurses who have gotten hired in the ICU where I work, started there first as a Nurse Extern in the ICU. But otherwise, it may be difficult.

But I did want to mention that I have just spent one year working on an acute care med/surg floor and it was well worth it. There you will really put your skills into action and see a variety of illnesses that will help you to gain a better understanding. Although, your enthusiam for the ICU is high and perhaps you feel that you don't want to waste time working anywhere else, you may want to rethink this. Any good experienced nurse will tell you that it is good to get a little med/surg experience prior to working in the ICU, it will only benefit you, I promise.

I have just accepted a position in a Cardiac ICU where I met a man who did not have a heart, he was living on a machine. I am extremely excited about the transition, but I am also glad that I have gotten a baseline of knowledge from the med/surg unit I worked on.

Good luck to you on your venture!

nurseatheart81

Re: Critical Care question about nursing experience

Also if possible, see if you can request an ICU for your final role transition/clinical experiences. It often helps to be in the environment for an extended period to see if this is the area of nursing you would like to be in. I agree with above posts - many hospitals offer internships for new grads and RNs new to critical care (esp. teaching hospitals that are learning oriented) - this is the route I went. If ICU is not immediately possible, you should at least be able to start in a stepdown/progressive care unit that will be closer to the ICU environment than a floor (med-surg) where you can brush up on basic nursing skills, while taking care of slightly sicker paitents, if need be.

BTW- I'm on my way to CRNA school in Sept. The pre-CRNA forums on this site are pretty good for prepping when you get closer to applying~ Good luck!

Re: Critical Care question about nursing experience

Even though you are chomping at the bit to get to CRNA school--I would seriously consider working on a telemetry floor for 1 year and then working in CCU or CVICU to get your 2 years of critical care. That 1st year of just getting the basics is SO helpful! However--you may want to consider working as a CNA in a critical care unit while in school and this may help you get to know a manager that might let you start as a new grad in ICU/CCU. They really like to see some experience with balloon pumps etc for CRNA school that's why I suggested CCU or CVICU vs ICU. Hope this helps. My boyfriend is a CRNA and LOVES it-- so stick with it !

Re: Critical Care question about nursing experience

I entered ICU as a new graduate in a small hospital. I did a management class and my senior internship in the same unit. The hospital that I work for sent me to new graduate ICU training programs at two larger hospitals. In a small town it's all about who you know...you know?

Re: Critical Care question about nursing experience

I started in the ICU right out of school. You need to go inner city. They are usually teaching hospitals. I learned so much, and had no problem getting into CRNA school even with very low GRE scores...I turned down my position due to family obligations. I'd get a job as a tech in the ICU, and work VERY hard, and learn as much as possible BEFORE you graduate!! Good luck'

Re: Critical Care question about nursing experience

I started in ICU right out of school in a small hospital. My advice is seek out as much clinical time in an ICU as possible, and search for jobs for new grads in ICU. They are usually posted in Jan or Feb and Jun or july. Then you will be able to tell which hospitals hire new grads into ICU. Also, I suggest you go for any job you want even if it says experience is required. I think being a CNA or tech is also a good way to get your foot in the door. Good luck!

Re: Critical Care question about nursing experience

I'm an SRNA right now - I went into ICU straight out of school. Don't mess around on a med surg floor.

Start applying to CRNA schools at the end of your first year in ICU, after you've taken the GRE (start studying for it as soon as you pass your NCLEX), get your CCRN, PALS, and any other training you can get (IABP, CVVHD, etc) while you're waiting.


It might take you a couple years before you're accepted, but just keep working at it and adding to your resume.