[LuvMyGamecocks]

I'm curious about something, and I'd love to hear from you CRNAs out there. I should finish my school's Surgical Tech program next June while awaiting my spot in the ADN program. Reasoning? I'd like to work in a hospital, particularly an OR, so that I can get a real understanding of Life in the OR before I make the final decision to make myself and my education ready to apply to NA school. Working as a Surgical Tech will also allow me more scheduling flexibility to finish my BSN. Here's my question.....

Do you feel this experience will help me in the long run if I do decide to make a run on anesthesia school? Or do you think it will make little to no difference?

Just a side question....any CRNAs apply/attend/complete the program at PHRM in Columbia, SC?

As always, thanks a million for your input!

[jenniek]

I have worked in the OR as a scrub/circulating nurse. It will help as far as knowing how to respect the sterile field and how things work in the OR. Remember you will need to have at least one year of critical care experience somewhere along the way. It will probably work to do that after you received your ADN and work there while you are earning your BSN.

[GCShore]

Originally Posted by LuvMyGamecocks

I'm curious about something, and I'd love to hear from you CRNAs out there. I should finish my school's Surgical Tech program next June while awaiting my spot in the ADN program. Reasoning? I'd like to work in a hospital, particularly an OR, so that I can get a real understanding of Life in the OR before I make the final decision to make myself and my education ready to apply to NA school. Working as a Surgical Tech will also allow me more scheduling flexibility to finish my BSN. Here's my question.....

Do you feel this experience will help me in the long run if I do decide to make a run on anesthesia school? Or do you think it will make little to no difference?

Just a side question....any CRNAs apply/attend/complete the program at PHRM in Columbia, SC?

As always, thanks a million for your input!

I agree with JennieK regarding that OR experience will help. Sometimes, I take for granted all that I learned in the OR......best of luck to you!

GCShore

[LuvMyGamecocks]

Thanks for the input! One more question....

Assuming everything in my plan magically falls together (education, clinical skills, and assuming I'm accepted in ICU as a new ADN grad, then to NA school), is it feasible to have the critical care experience before or at the time finishing my BSN, so that I could go directly to NA school the next semester (or open class) i

Again, this is assuming that everything magically falls together.....I don't feel that I would be disappointed if everything didn't fall together, but I like to aim high, so to speak.

If nothing else, would working as CST at the teaching hospital (where SRNAs are let loose ) provide some good networking? ("Hey, I remember you!")

Thanks, again!

[jenniek]

I finished my BSN in May 2005 and started anesthesia school in August 2005, so it's possible. The only concern for me was if I was on track to finish. I did have 6 years of ICU experience during my interview, also. 8 years as an RN. But sounds like it's a good plan. Now put it into action!