Acute/critical care requirements

[n1cktm]

Hi everyone,

I am currently an undergraduate student who has not yet begun nursing school but I have a question as I eventually want to pursue a career as a CRNA.

The requirements are typically atleast 1-2 years of experience of ICU/ acute/critical care. To obtain such work experience will I be required to pursue a MSN in critical care prior to pursuing a MSN in anesthesia. Or does being an RN and having work experience qualify one to work in ICU.

Also approximately what is the average age of those pursuing CRNA programs. Do new RN's typically elect to work for 5-10 years before pursuing specialization or do they enter CRNA programs much sooner.

[Jdog19s]

If you are an RN, you can work in critical care. Depending on the unit, they may require some experience on a step down unit, however if you are willing to move around you can probably find an ICU/CCU/CSU, etc willing to take on a new grad. Some people believe you are a better ICU nurse after some floor experience first. You do not need to have an MSN to work in an ICU.

I'd say the average age in my program is between 28 and 30, with the youngest around 26 and oldest of 43. We have experience ranging from 2 years of ICU to 10 years of ICU, but it seems that most people had around 4-5 years of ICU experience prior to being accepted into school. Good luck

[AbeFrohman, BSN, RN]

You can go straight to an ICU with just your RN, if the unit will have you.

Average all depends on the if you want mean, median, or mode. The mean is 5 years experience, but that is offset by people not deciding to attempt it until later in their careers. I would say the mean age is about 28.