A bit of a glitch

brazuca · Mar 10, 2009

You have a good foundation, and like most of us, has prepared thoroughly throughout nursing school to achieve your final goal as a CRNA. My recommendation would be to start at a step down unit in the hospital. You will have better chances of getting into critical care from there. I don't know what you do now, but if it isn't in a major healthcare facility, its not the ideal scenario.

I graduated 2 years ago, and fortunately got into a SICU straight from school. As a clinical instructor I see more and more students finding it difficult to get into ICU straight from school, as managers are aggravated by the wave of recent grads who get 1-2 years experience and go off to anesthesia school. The push at my hospital lately has been for no new grad hires in the ICU, although it happens on occasion. This trend started in the Fall of last year. Many of the students I supervise during clinical and practicum confide there disappointment in not getting into an ICU straight from school, bc there goal is anesthesia school. All i can say is keep trying but if a step down unit is all you get, be happy bc depending in the region of the country where you live, there is actually a hiring freeze for new grads. Hospitals are pushing for experienced nurses who are returning to work because there husbands have been laid off work, and an experienced nurse takes no or very little training, unlike new grads that are expensive to train.

In respect to the minimum of on year to transfer, its subjective, it is depended on the needs of the unit and if you shine brighter than others, you may be given the opportunity to transfer earlier.

Good luck.

aCRNAhopeful · Mar 11, 2009

I don't know what you do now, but if it isn't in a major healthcare facility, its not the ideal scenario.

Thanks so much for your insight. I had one question regarding the statement quoted above. One plan of action I had come up with was that I apply to one of the ICU's at a rural community hospital. This particular ICU I am thinking of is in need of nurses and I think I could possibly get on since I have a good rapport with the manager. This hospital doesn't even have a cath lab so that makes it a little difficult to get that good cardiac experience when anyone needing a cath is shipped out. My thinking is that I could get a start here, have my experience count towards CRNA school (although it isn't great), and then keep my eyes open on the level 1 hospitals after I've been trained and built up some experience for like 8 months - a year. Would you agree that is a better plan than going to a step-down unit at a level1 hospital? It seems wrong to go into a job like that, knowing that I just want the training, a little resume experience, and then on to the next but if it's what I gotta do to get in on my first wave of anesthesia school applications Im doin it. Thanks again!

rokclimbah · Mar 11, 2009

Here's my experience: Just graduated last may. Started in sept in step-down, all the while making contacts and letting it be known (except to the step-down manager) that I was interested in ICU. Opportunity arose and started SICU in january. Now I just work hard and learn as much as I can before I apply to school in 1-2 years.

Here's my opinion without knowing your personal/financial situation: go where you'll get the bext experience even if it's not the most direct route to anesthesia school. According to your profile, you're 22 right? You'll be making very decent money for your age as a nurse. More importantly, even if you don't start in ICU, you'll be developing a good foundation before you move on to anesthesia school. You're gonna be a nurse anesthetist, remember? I'm excited to be a crna, too - but just try to not rush and appreciate what can be experienced along the journey, too.

jls189 · Mar 11, 2009

Are there any positions at all listed @ any of the major hospitals in your area......even 1? I would start contacting the managers of the units you are interested in. Call the floors after hours and ask to be transferred to the managers office. Leave a message re: your interest to work in their unit. Ask if you if they would allow you to email them a resume directly. Do this even if no positions are listed on the job boards. Some managers are very responsive to this. They may even know of a job opening up. If not, @ least you have made contact. Ask them if you can keep in touch. Don't give up. Be persistent. Go out and get what you want. It won't come to you. Hope this helps and good luck!

aCRNAhopeful · Mar 12, 2009

You're gonna be a nurse anesthetist, remember? I'm excited to be a crna, too - but just try to not rush and appreciate what can be experienced along the journey, too.

I totally agree with that statement. I definately think I will appreciate the journey working as a critical care nurse. I think that I would absolutely love working ICU and could be happy doing it for the rest of my life if going on to CRNA wasn't an option. With that being said, I don't think I would enjoy a nursing position at a step-down or med/surg unit. I know I have no experience to base that off of but the thought of being swamped with patients running around performing tasks with less time to critically think and progress my learning of hemodynamics and general physiology/pathophysiology is a real downer. I don't feel like I would be mentally stimulated in a stepdown or medsurg unit, I may be wrong about that. Well thanks again everyone for the advice it really has helped me think out my options.