**Aspiring CRNAs....Did YOU like working in the ICU?**

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Hello all! This thread is basically a big rant. hahaha. Well! I went into this profession with the ulitmate goal of becoming a CRNA. I've wanted it ever since the beginning. I will be starting my BSN program in the fall. I already have my ADN and am working in a med/surg ICU. During the next 2 years, I have to finish my degree, take the GRE, take a chemistry/stats class, take CCRN, and start the grad classes before I even apply......which will be in the spring of 2010. I plan to start the grad classes before I get an interview which would hopefully be in the fall of 2010. By that time I should have almost 3 years of ICU experience. Here's the thing. The ICU is soooooo depressing. None of our people end up getting better unless they're overflows. The staff is so rude and they don't help you at all. Ha, but they will criticize your every move......ESPECIALLY if you're new like me. I feel like I don't really know that much yet. I've only been in the ICU for 3 months. I don't know. I guess I'm just feeling down right now. I just wish that I could get it all now but I have to play the waiting game. People tell me that it is sooooo normal to feel overwhelmed in the ICU especially as a new grad but I just want to understand things. I do my research if I have questions, but I just wish that I could be super smart like these other ladies on my unit. Of course, their experience backgrounds range from 3-10 years. So, right now I am not enjoying my time in the ICU. I know this sounds bad, but I just want to learn everything I can and "do my time" so I can get the great experience that I need. I have a friend who is a CRNA and she told me that she HATED working in the ICU so it is normal to feel that way. One girl who worked on the unit hated the ICU so much that she dedicated all of her time and energy to meet the pre-reqs for CRNA school and got in eventually. I just wanted to hear your thoughts!!! To my aspiring CRNAs or CRNAs, did you like working in the ICU?? Be honest! :) Thanks for stopping by! :)

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I have loved almost every single moment I've worked in the ICU over the past 15 years. Yes, there are places where people can be cruel. The first hospital I worked at was the county hosp. where they "eat their young." It was tough but I knew it was worth it. My advice is to move on and find a unit that isn't so abrasive to newbies. There are lots of wonderful units out there who love to nurture new nurses. Find one and be happy!

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Specializes in CVICU, CCU, MICU.

:yeah:Transfer to a CVICU. The pt's have a higher turnover rate, get them in and get them out. And they are NPO before surgery, so no poopy and by the time they get better and are able to poop, they transfer to the floor. Plus you get all the invasive line and hemodynamic experience some schools like.

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Specializes in Open Heart.

I am currently working on an open heart unit and I definitely find it interesting. Really the only thing I don't like about it are the medical patients that get shipped to us when we have empty beds. I am getting great experience with drips and hemodynamics, though, and that's what you need for anesthesia school.

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Specializes in ER/ICU/PACU/ Nurse Anesthetist.

I love SICU! It offers lots of variety, great preparation for CRNA school IMO :up:

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Specializes in CVPACU, CCU, ICU.

I hated every minute of ICU also :( However I dearly LOVE CVPACU/CVICU. On the flip side I know plent of ICU nurses who dread being pulled to neuro ICU or CVICU so there is a difference. I do believe that if you dont like one of the critical care areas you will not be happy as a CRNA.

Good luck!

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Specializes in ER/ICU, CCRN, SRNA (class of 2010).
I hated every minute of ICU also :( However I dearly LOVE CVPACU/CVICU. On the flip side I know plent of ICU nurses who dread being pulled to neuro ICU or CVICU so there is a difference. I do believe that if you dont like one of the critical care areas you will not be happy as a CRNA.

Good luck!

That is an interesting and broad statement. What makes you think that you have to like all areas of the ICU to be happy as a CRNA???? If that is what you intended to mean.

-Smiley

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Specializes in CVPACU, CCU, ICU.
That is an interesting and broad statement. What makes you think that you have to like all areas of the ICU to be happy as a CRNA???? If that is what you intended to mean.

-Smiley

Sorry I didnt express myself clearly. I did not mean that you needed to like all areas of the ICU. My thought is that you must enjoy one area/aspect of critical care (CVPACU, NICU, MICU, SICU, CCU, general ICU, etc.) - if you do not enjoy any of this type of work I think you will have issues with being a CRNA.

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Specializes in ER/ICU, CCRN, SRNA (class of 2010).
Sorry I didnt express myself clearly. I did not mean that you needed to like all areas of the ICU. My thought is that you must enjoy one area/aspect of critical care (CVPACU, NICU, MICU, SICU, CCU, general ICU, etc.) - if you do not enjoy any of this type of work I think you will have issues with being a CRNA.

Gotcha

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I have been working in MI/SI for a little over a year. I work night shift and am lucky to work with a close group on nights that help each other. We dont get many new nurses because no one from nights wants to go to day shift. The day shift on my unit are similar to how you describe your unit. I dont agree with the way some nurses treat new grads, but hang in there. It may benefit you to try a new area. As someone said earlier, not every ICU is that bad to new grads.:nurse:

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Specializes in Anesthesia: Peds, General, ENT, Trauma.

I agree with most of what is already stated. I started in a CVSICU last sumer. I really enjoy working there. I don't like floating to the MICU, man talk about depressing. I think that you should try to find a different ICU to work in, if that is possible. If not just try to hang in there and get through this time.

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I agree that the MICU can be depressing, but can't all ICU's be that way? I plan to transfer to a CVICU when I move in a few months. I am ready to take care of different types of patients and have even more experience with IABPs.

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