Anyone accepted with small ICU experience?

[manna, BSN, RN]

I'm a new grad BSN, with dreams of maybe CRNA school someday.

I interviewed but didn't get offered a job in a big ICU. Bummer. At least I got to stay close to home. :)

I'm working now in a small, community hospital ICU. I'm guessing that if I'm still interested in CRNA after awhile, I'll need to try to move to a bigger facility. The ICU I'm in does invasive lines, pressure monitoring, vents, etc - it's just small (only 6 beds) and there is no CV surgery in house. We also don't do neuro.

Anyone accepted to CRNA school with only small hospital/few-bed ICU experience?

[BeatOU]

I spoke to a director who told me he didn't care if it was 2 bed, as long as there were ventilated patients, drips, and you were ccrn certified. Also, I know of several CRNA's with no ICU experience (ER, Tele, OR, and Pacu).

[ICUDOUCME?]

Anyone accepted to CRNA school with only small hospital/few-bed ICU experience?

Yes! I was accepted to three programs. I work in a small hospital. It's a 7 bed unit but we see all the same things you do. We don't have open-heart recovery here either, or neuro.

I like to think I had some other things going for me as well. I have good grades and GRE scores. In other words, it's not just the experience, it's the total package.

[japaho41]

Yes! I was accepted to three programs. I work in a small hospital. It's a 7 bed unit but we see all the same things you do. We don't have open-heart recovery here either, or neuro.

I like to think I had some other things going for me as well. I have good grades and GRE scores. In other words, it's not just the experience, it's the total package.

You are correct in that it is the total package. However where working at a smaller ICU has it's disadvantages is beyond the fact of no open heart program. Most do not take level I or II trauma, don't have intensivist or care for the sickiest patients. Working at a bigger hospital will provide those experieces that will be presented to you in your clinicals.