Pre-reqs for a CRNA?

Specialties CRNA

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I was just wondering, if I decide to one day apply to take classes to be a CRNA, is it a requirement that I must work in an ICU setting before I can start schooling? Or is working in an acute-care setting sufficient? I am a float RN, so I work on the Cardiac Progressive, Surgical, Neuro, Oncology, Ortho, and Medical floors. Will that be ok to apply?

The best way to find that out would be to go to the website of the crna school you are interested in attending and look up the admission requirements.

Specializes in Cardiovascular/Thoracic Surgery Recovery.

I think you have to have a years experience in an Intensive Care setting.

All of the schoolsI have looked at want either ICU experience or ER experience at a level 1 trauma center. I think the ICU experience is preferred though.

I have a friend who is a CRNA and she said it was required of her to work for at least a year in ICU. I don't know if this matters but she went to school in Kansas.

I looked into this pretty thoroughly for CRNA schools in East Tennessee. The answer was always minimum 1 year ICU (preferably Surgical ICU, but not exclusively). I did, however, meet a CRNA who had worked 20 years in the Operating Room and she managed to get accepted into school without ICU experience.

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