ICU Preference during BSN Completion -> CRNA

[HyperTension]

While I type this, I'm trying to thing of a proper title for this thread.. I'm currently working in a general ICU, as part of the open heart team as well as a ICU nurse for about 3 years now, with 2 years of prev. ER / Childrens ER experience, and recently accepted into the Bethel BSN Completion program (Left Lakeland for about 11 months for Adult ER / Childrens ED, returned to do homecare / hospice for family member)

After spending a week up at U of M with the CRNA group there, and spending time with the CNRA group here, I have absolutly found a place to call "home" if you will.

However, the working conditions within the ICU as well as the hospital have degraded, and continue to degrade via "new and improved management policies". This has led to me activly looking at other hospitals for the possiblity of new employment.

My question is that if I were to step out of the general ICU that I am currently in, which speciality ICU would be the more preferable (thinking cardiac). As well as if I choose to go and do ER say for the next 2 years during my BSN completion, will that be too long "out of the ICU" come application time for that program??

[rn29306]

While I type this, I'm trying to thing of a proper title for this thread.. I'm currently working in a general ICU, as part of the open heart team as well as a ICU nurse for about 3 years now, with 2 years of prev. ER / Childrens ER experience, and recently accepted into the Bethel BSN Completion program (Left Lakeland for about 11 months for Adult ER / Childrens ED, returned to do homecare / hospice for family member)

After spending a week up at U of M with the CRNA group there, and spending time with the CNRA group here, I have absolutly found a place to call "home" if you will.

However, the working conditions within the ICU as well as the hospital have degraded, and continue to degrade via "new and improved management policies". This has led to me activly looking at other hospitals for the possiblity of new employment.

My question is that if I were to step out of the general ICU that I am currently in, which speciality ICU would be the more preferable (thinking cardiac). As well as if I choose to go and do ER say for the next 2 years during my BSN completion, will that be too long "out of the ICU" come application time for that program??

I came from a level 2 hospital in Atlanta with no heart experience and got in on the first attempt to my first pick. Your previous hospital does not define who you are. YOU do. That said, it appears to me that you have a wonderfully varied background.

Your question as to which subspecialty ICU: I would pick SICU. At our main clinical site facility, a level 1 center, I would go so far as to say that SICU is known for being a "farm" for anesthesia students. You get alot of interaction with anesthesia on a daily basis, in addition to the usual ICU stuff. My second pick: CVICU, but you already have that as a part-time gig.

Get your BSN and you should get in no problem assuming you ace your interview.

Ultimately, you and your interview decide placement. Working locations or hospital cannot make up for a weak RN or weak interview, but CAN compliment a great interview session.

[darienblythe79]

I would suggest calling the schools you are interested in applying to. They should be your best resource for your choices in work place.

[Brian_SRNA]

rn29306 vbmenu_register("postmenu_1619615", true); , you wouldn't be from erlanger. woudl ya, just checking, good luck to everyone. i also agree with sicu or a good large multidisciplinary, get your feet wet with everything.