Accepted to CRNA program - Do I go back to ICU?

[RNin, ASN, RN]

I became a nurse in 2012 with the intention of becoming a CRNA. I worked in Med/Surg, a Medical ICU Stepdown and CVICU. While in CVICU, I intended to apply for a CRNA program after one year. I eventually applied to one CRNA program and thought that if I was accepted then I'd go and if not, then it was not meant to be. While waiting for the decision, I began having second thoughts about the stress and pressure of school without any income.

After 6 months and no response, I started to look at other graduate programs in nursing. I eventually decided to pursue Informatics and got a position in Health Informatics. While in my new role, I was called for an interview to the CRNA program. I did not want to pass up the opportunity to potentially become a CRNA and went into the interview with the intention of attending if I was accepted as I knew I would regret passing up the opportunity.

Fortunately, I was accepted in the the program. My question is, do I go back into the ICU to help maintain my clinical skills and increase my critical thinking of critically ill patients or just pick up a per diem in the ICU for the same purpose? I have my CCRN and two years of CVICU experience. I don't want to enter the program next year looking incompetent during clinical from the time away from bedside. I understand going back to the ICU would be ideal but I do not want to pick up a position in ICU and leave within a year. Please help!

[CRNA, DNSc]

Go back per diem to refresh your clinical skills.

[anotheroneofmany]

I agree. I think picking up a PRN or per diem position would be ideal in your situation. Some PRN positions allow you to work as many shifts as you want, depending on need, so you'd be able to keep your skills up that way. When I apply to PRN positions, I always make sure to ask the hiring manager or person doing the interview what their anticipated need is (how many shifts you'd be able to realistically plan on being able to obtain) and also if there's a limit on the shifts they let you sign up for per pay period or per month, etc.