Being in the 'critical care float pool'

Nursing Students SRNA

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Specializes in ICU.

Thanks for taking the time to read this post. I am seeking advice, and need it bad.

I have a solid year and a half of medical-surgical ICU at a level 1 trauma center. 12 weeks travel postion in an ICU at a level 2 trauma center in a medical surgical ICU....Now, I decided to take a job in a critical care float pool at a level 1 trauma center at a huge university hospital. I love the pay and mainly took the position to gain exposure to other ICU's and make a little more to pay of my undergrad before I rack up another 100K in debt...I can now say I have solid time/experience with cardiac ICU, neuro ICU, medical transplant ICU, and peds ICU. Of course, there are the occasional nights where I float to tele, but rare.

Has anyone applied and been excepted to NA school with this type of current experience? Does anyone know what the thoughts are of admission committess with this type of experience. Upon applying, I'll have 2.5 solid years...but I'm just nervous this 'critical care float pool' and not being somewhere full time all the time will effect me negatively.

I get really nervous that I won't be able to get a job the ICU at a level 1 hospital in the future. It seems like ICU positions are becoming less and less available as many people are interested in this profession.

I'd really appreciate anyone's thought's/inputs of their experiences or opinions.

Thanks so much.

Brooke

Specializes in LTC, ICU, ER, Anesthesia.

thats great experience, apply. i got in with a couple years xp.

do your ccrn, that will make you stick out a lot

Specializes in ICU.

Thanks so much. I do have my CCRN and am studying for my GRE's. I plan to take them in the next month or two.

Were you in any type of critical care float pool when you applied?

I had one year medical ICU experience and then began job sharing with a cardiac ICU for 6 months (2 nights medical and one night cardiac). I got into the 2 programs I applied to and will begin this fall with about 2yrs. Your experience sounds great. You should apply.

Did you say you racked up 100K in debt in undergrad?! Yikes.

Specializes in ICU.

LOL, no not 100k. I was saying that's what I'll probably owe when I'm done with CRNA school. I only have about 15,000 of my undergrad.

Thanks for the advice. Do you mind sharing where you applied too?

I applied to Midwestern in AZ and Kaiser in CA. Good luck!

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