New Grad interested in CRNA

[TennRN2004]

I just graduated with my BSN and passed boards this month. I have already been accepted into the graduate school in my hometown (to get core classes done) and plan to do the nurse anesthesia concentration. What I need is anyone's oppinion on whether or not you think one year of experience is enough if I apply and get accepted. I am working in a Burn ICU at a level 1 trauma center, which gets overflow Medical and trauma ICU patients. I will also float to other ICUs- SICU, CCU, NNICU, etc. I am planning on getting my CCRN as soon as I have enough hours and can study enough to pass it.

I know that anesthesia school is more and more competitive, so that is why I am thinking about going ahead and applying after a year. I figure if I don't get in the first year, I will know even more the second year and be better prepared. What concerns me though is whether I will be struggling with my anesthesia classes if I do get in. Let me know if any of you have any suggestions about the pros/cons of applying as a new nurse.

P.S.- Since I know many of you are going to ask, yes I had OR in clinicals, and I have gotten the opportunity to shadow CRNAs so I really am interested in the job and not just the pay. I knew I wanted to get my MSN, it was just the question of FNP or CRNA. Since I like the hospital environment and not the office setting of healthcare I think anesthesia will be better for me.

[loisane]

So the requirement from a NATIONAL standpoint is one year as an RN with no NATIONAL requirement for critical care experience?

Gaspassah has already answered your question, see post #15. The quote there is from the national accreditation standard that you are inquiring about.

CRNA DNSc is trying to clarify the questions about WHEN the 1 yr must be completed, not WHERE.

loisane crna

[InterestedRN]

My plan is to apply next November. By then, I will have about 18 months experience. If I get accepted for the May 2006 class, I will then have 2 years when I start. I do believe the school I am interested in would let me apply this November, which would give me 5-6 months, but they prefer for you to wait until you have a year before applying. The reason I was asking how long everyone usually waits is bc I know in my area some of the nurses here have 5+ years of experience when they get in CRNA and I have heard they have an easier time with classes, clinicals, bc of more exposure to drugs, vents, invasive lines, etc.

Congrats on finishing your BSN. My first advice (having been down this road, with the same eagerness and excitement), is be careful about taking the graduate credits before you are accepted into a program. Many schools won't allow those credits to be applied toward the final degree. You must obtain the credits through their program. So, do your research! Second, don't put all your eggs in one basket. It sounds like you REALLY want to be a CRNA (rightfully so!), play it smart, formulate and apply a well thought-out stategy. Unfortunately, it IS going to take some time. That is the hardest part. Look at a variety of schools, and apply to them. This looks good in the interview process.

Keep up the good fight, good luck, and hang in there! I'm sure you will do great!