Before going to CRNA school

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Currently in nursing school and graduating in December. Any CRNA's out there that were previously ER/Trauma nurses? Would really like to hear some stories and input about how the route went. Right now I'm looking at starting off in a medsurg floor first, and then hopefully being able to transfer in a level 1 trauma center to be an ER nurse for a couple years. The thought of CRNA school is tickling my mind and I wanted to know what is a good route to go if I also want to incorporate ER training into my life experience. Any information is appreciated. Thanks!!

I have a year ICU and 6 months CVICU. I am a flight nurse/paramedic with 3 years flight experience and my CFRN.

I don't understand how you are a flight nurse if you have only 1.6 years in the ICU total.

To be a flight RN isn't it a minimum of 3 years ICU? You made no mention of ER experience so I'm puzzled. Sorry to go off topic here.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
I don't understand how you are a flight nurse if you have only 1.6 years in the ICU total.

To be a flight RN isn't it a minimum of 3 years ICU? You made no mention of ER experience so I'm puzzled. Sorry to go off topic here.

I assume it is because he or she was a flight paramedic first then got their RN license.

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I assume it is because he or she was a flight paramedic first then got their RN license.

Flight RN experience cannot be substituted by being a flight medic to my understanding.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

I think that is determined by the employer not any regulatory agency.

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Do any CRNA's specialize in trauma? Or work in trauma specifically or emergency operations??

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so from this thread, I've learned that CVICU or trauma ICU are both good routes for ICU experiences pre-CRNA school. What about SICU? Any others I've not mentioned?

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Specializes in ER, Trauma ICU, CVICU.

All ICU experience is good for CRNA school. The MOST important thing is that you take care of very sick patients and you make yourself think through what you are doing and why in each situation. If you are caring for super sick medical (or CV, or Trauma, or Surgical) patients on a daily basis for 2-3 years and know your CCRN material there is absolutely no reason why you should have trouble. I think that we all have preferences here and there, but I really think it is more the QUALITY, not the specialty that you should be really focused on. Getting in the door is only half the battle. Don't just worry about what looks good on paper. You need to have a strong foundation on which to build your anesthesia education. You don't have time to learn how to be an ICU nurse in anesthesia school....you have to save time to procrastinate on allnurses.com.

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If I were you I would take my time and get the experience your needing. No need to rush.. taking your time gives you leverage. You never know what opportunity might come your way

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Specializes in ED, MICU.

I just got accepted to anesthesia school and I have 6mo of floor, 2 years of ER and 2years of MICU. While the variety and knowledge gained in ER is great, critical care is a different experience with different goals than the immediate stabilization and move on goals of the ER. Having both was of interest to my interviewers, but I don't think I would want to practice nurse anesthesia without the knowledge I've gained in the ICU

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Thanks! I'm going to play out my career and see where things go with the knowledge that this may be an option for me at some point

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Specializes in Flight Nursing, CVICU, ICU.

I have 3 years prior flight experience as a Paramedic and 15 years as a Paramedic on an ambulance. I currently hold my CFRN, FP-C certifications.

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Specializes in Flight Nursing, CVICU, ICU.

ICUman,

The experience of a Flight Paramedic can't be substituted, however the time is counted towards flight experience. My experience as a Paramedic and Nurse does qualify me for flight. Not to mention as I posted previously. I have 15 years as a Paramedic on a busy ALS service. My question to you is do you fly?

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