Accepted with NICU exp. rather ICU?

Da_Milk_of_Amnesia, MSN · Mar 28, 2014

I had 3 people in my class who were NICU/Peds ICU RNs, and one who was an ECMO/NICU RN. 2 of them are still in the class. But i think at the end of this semester it will be down to only 1. It can be done, altho it may be a little more difficult because only a small portion (at least of our book work) focuses on Peds/Neonates. And yes you can total specialize with peds as a CRNA. As for like neonate/babies, I'm not exactly sure, maybe someone else on here can answer that for you.

aerorunner80, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN · Mar 28, 2014

I've been told by other CRNA's and the schools I am looking to apply at that it would be best to get adult experience. From my own experience shadowing a CRNA, I agree. They see things that we just don't see in NICU.

At the same time having NICU experience is a plus because in NICU you learn to be even more detail oriented than in adults. Everything we do is by weight in NICU which doesn't hold true in adult ICU, but does play a big part when you are a CRNA.

I actually just turned down a PICU position because when I talked to my top choice school, they said that if I had adult experience on top of my NICU expereince, i would be "a well rounded candidate".

To also back up what the previous poster said, KU also told me that their most successful students have adult experience.

For me personally, I wasn't willing to take the risk and stay in NICU so I am currently looking to get out into a trauma/surgical/burn ICU. I also won't be limiting myself to any certain school if KU doesn't work out.

CCRNCMC11 · Mar 29, 2014

I have a friend that started off in Nicu but then switched into adult icu for a year. Most schools prefer if not require adult icu. However, it can't hurt to have both populations under your belt, and might be impressive to have both adult and neonatal ccrn certs under your belt!