I need some advice.

Nursing Students SRNA

Published

Specializes in PICU.

I am just finishing my ASN and I'm starting to develop my 5 year plan and would like some thoughts on my goals. I want to be a CRNA. I've done thorough research into the profession and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get there.

I'm 25, currently married, and trying to plan out my future. Going to try to wait having kids until I'm finished with school.

GPA 3.3

My plan so far:

Summer 2015- Obtain new graduate RN position (Pediatric Neuroscience or Adult Cardiac/ Tele)

October 2015- Start my RN- BSN and complete in 12 months.

December 2016/ January 2017- Transition into ICU role.

2018- Study/ Obtain CCRN, Prepare for/ Take GRE.

Mid 2018- Start shadowing a CRNA to gain a real world insight to the profession.

2019- Apply to programs, while continuing to gain valuable experience in the ICU.

I am open to any recommendations that I can change or add to it. I was thinking about trying to gain employment in an ICU as a new grad, but figured it might be better to focus on acing my BSN while working on the floor.

My dilemma: I currently have been employed at the Children's Hospital in my area for 3 years now as a PCT. They have offered me a position on my floor when I graduate on the Surgical/ Neuroscience floor with the opportunity to transition into the PICU after 1 year. I have also been offered a position on the floor where I was doing my clinicals, which is an Adult Cardiac/ Tele floor at a large hospital, which I could transfer to any ICU at the hospital after 1 year as well.

Which path would benefit me the most in my pursuit towards CRNA school?

Programs that I'm very interested in: South Florida, North Florida, Florida Gulf Coast, Barry University.

Sorry for the long post. I value everyone on this forum's advice and look forward to hearing your responses.

Thank you so much in advance,

Alex

You should also consider finding a residency program for the ICU. Not sure of the availability. But I did a 6 month critical care residency trained in different ICUs with a didactic component and then chose to work in the SICU. May be a little intense since you will be working on your BSN. Otherwise, Sounds like you are on the right track. Perhaps shadow a CRNA sooner just to make sure it is truly what you want to do. Also, programs are very competitive. Make sure you maintain a high GPA esp in the sciences. I worked in ICU/ER for 6 years. Only regret is not doing it sooner. Have some savings. You will not be able to work.

Specializes in Critical Care.

Your very specific plan stresses me out. Things will fall into place for you when the times are right, and that would be my best advice about it. It's not like nursing school where you have deadlines for your assignments. Yes it's great to have a timeline, but you've gotta be willing to just roll with the punches. Just like any given shift, you start with a plan and continuously modify it as other stuff comes up. Apply that same philosophy to your life after nursing school. Take certifications when you feel your experiences have prepared you to pass them. Do things because you truly feel ready, not because your timeline says to do it now. If being a CRNA truly is your ultimate goal, you'll get there eventually, just enjoy the ride. I also don't recommend telling potential employers your plan right off the bat. It is an expensive process that takes several months to train an ICU nurse and if you aren't commited to staying a while, they may not want to invest in you.

As far as your 'dilemma'...I don't understand the problem or what answer you are looking for. It sounds like all routes will lead you to an ICU. You have to decide which specialty you are interested for yourself. That's nothing anyone can decide for you. Have your clinicals given you any kind of indication where your passion lies? I also agree with the comments about residency and shadowing sooner. All my shadow experiences were 3 years prior to my CRNA interviews and prior to me even being an ICU nurse actually. Without shadowing, what makes you think you want to be a CRNA?

Specializes in Intensive Care (SICU, NICU, CICU, VICU).

I would recommend you researching the schools you're planning on applying to and make sure they will accept PICU experience if you were to go that route. Some schools don't accept pediatric ICU because it's so specialized. I would opt for the Cardiac/Tele floor, or like the first response find a ICU residency. That's what I did when I graduated from nursing school. BTW, you making a plan/timeline is great. I made a detailed plan before applying to school, was able to stick to it, and just graduated from anesthesia school in December. Nothing wrong with timelines. :-) Good luck.

Some hospitals offer ICU residency programs. Unfortunately I didn't go that route, started on an orthopedic unit, telemetry unit, and now coming up 2 years on an ICU. I've just started applying for programs. I knew I wanted to be a CRNA in nursing school but just couldn't land a job in the ICU. If not an ICU, go for a telemetry unit as it is easier to transition into an ICU.

Aschultz7,

It's great to have a plan. It's obvious you have a methodical approach to reach your goals. As mentioned in previous posts, your plan is great, but some of your plan may change as life happens. I had a similar plan, and I stuck to it and got into anesthesia school. Your determination to get into school reminds me of myself about 3 years ago. I'm currently a student registered anesthetist (SRNA) at the University of Scranton.

Regarding your dilemma, I would choose the path of the Adult Tele to ICU. Yes, it is good to get the experience in peds; however, your clinical experiences as a SRNA will primarily be with the adult population. Also, you will get more applicable experience with the various IV meds and hemodynamic monitoring. If your end goal is to work with Peds, you could go that route, but I wouldn't recommended it. Also, as mentioned earlier if you do go the Peds route, make sure your prospective anesthesia programs accept that type of clinical experience.

One last thing, good call with waiting to have kids till after school. My wife has baby fever, but I can't imagine having a newborn while trying to study. Some of my class mates are pulling it off, but I don't know if I could.

If you have any more questions about the application process or any questions about my personal experiences, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] . Like I said I was in your shoes a couple years ago. Good Luck!!

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