CICU vs CVICU and getting into a program

[nurseysarah]

Hi all-I'm sure this question has already been asked, but I wasn't able to find it.

I currently work at a Level 1 Trauma Center in the CICU. The CICU is connected to the CVICU and I float there occasionally. I was recently talking to a RN who works on CV who was just accepted into a CRNA program. She told me that I need to work on CV primarily in order to get into a CRNA program. How true is this? I understand that programs look for experience with drips, transducers, Cardiac outputs, etc... and I get all that on CICU, just not with every pt I care for. Any advice would be welcome! Thanks :)

[missnurse01, MSN, RN]

It depends on the program. I would call and ask your school choices to see what type of experience they prefer. Schools tend to like CVICU d/t to the daily recovery of OHS pt's and all of the management issues that must go in to that-different pressors, meds, pacing, etc based on hemodynamics. That's my understanding anyways.

good luck

[MTBerRN]

I agree with missnurse01 CVICU is probably the ideal place for experience...but at the same time other aspects of your resume and application play a role too like ccrn cert, acls instructor which actually is a big one in my experience taking to others that have been accepted (sets you apart)...etc. I'd say try to get onto cvicu if you can but work on other avenues if that's not going to happen.Good luck