Best positions for learning

I worked as an anesthesia tech, while I was in nursing school. I learned quite a bit about anesthesia and the machines they use. I feel this helped me alittle during my interviews also. I developed good relationships with the CRNAs and MDAs, and they taught me alot. I got experience with intubations, IVs, and a few A-lines. I learned to set-up and prepare for procedures. That helped with my nursing also. In order to learn, you must ask questions and show interest.

Hi, as you've probably heard, as an RN most, if not all schools require ICU experience. I have plenty of that, actually wish I had "some" OR experience though. The technical and critical thinking skills of the ICU combined with operating room (lingo, how things work, who does what, surgical procedures, etc..) experience is definitely a plus in my book! I say go for the OR experience as a tech, just remember it is usually ICU experience as an RN the schools are interested in! Good Luck!

Thanks for the posts. As it turns out, there are open positions at a nearby hospital for both an OR tech and an anesthesia tech. I have surfed for job descriptions of both and they seem equally challenging and exciting. Q2: Should I pick one or is it okay for me to apply online for both expressing that I am a student eager for an opportunity to gain more valuable work experience?

If you want to be a CRNA after nursing school, I suggest becoming an anesthesia tech. You will learn more that will pertain to your future career as a nurse and as a CRNA, especially if you want to. As an OR Tech, you will learn good anatomy and possibly some disease processes, but you will not learn nursing skills or meds. I strongly suggest being an anesthesia tech. I am not knocking OR Tech, because that can be a fun job. As an anesthesia tech, you may learn how to;

start IVs

insert NGTs

maybe intubate patients

learn the machines

learn the drugs

learn to prepare for procedures

learn ABGs

learn some monitoring techniques

Alright. You've sold me. Now hopefully I can sell myself. Thanks for the key pointers on what to anticipate in both environments. I'll make sure I toss around some of the verbage you covered in the posts...if I am lucky enough to get an interview.:)