Can I travel with community hospital ICU before applying to CRNA?

I don't want to be negative but I think that going into travel from your experience could be difficult. My ICU is also a small community hospital unit, the acuity sounds similar to yours. A few nurses have gone on to staff jobs at other hospitals and it's been a steep learning curve in some areas, even with familiarity with the pathophysiologies and the devices and medcations. One year of experience is not much, especially given that at least part of that was on orientation.

Travelers are expected to work independently from day 1. No one is going to take kindly to someone that is traveling to their unit, most likely getting paid more than staff, but can't function on their own in ALL situations. However, travelers generally don't get the sickest patients, many units give travelers the patients waiting to transfer, the step-down assignment if there are boarders, etc. You will likely not see enough acuity after traveling alone to apply to CRNA school. 

It may depend on the area, but just in my local area, the pay and demand for travelers has dropped WAY off. You might be better off to find a staff job in a higher acuity unit, get the experience you really need and then consider travel or return to school. Good luck with whatever you decide.  

JBMmom said:

One year of experience is not much, especially given that at least part of that was on orientation.

I'm replying to myself because I misquote OP. I didn't factor that you're planning another six months to a year before travel. That will help a little as far as time, but the rest of my post would still be the same. Good luck!

I work in a large level 2 SICU, we see it all and are the center that takes all the transfers.  Our travelers get the easiest assignments.  Psych with precedex or PCU holds.   If CRNA is the goal I don't think traveling with low acuity will get you far.  You're better off transferring to the hospital who you send your transfers to.

Hi there! As the other comments have stated, it will be difficult for you to get "the sickest of the sick" patients traveling, let alone traveling without having experience on ventilators, vasoactive drips, etc. 

It is 100% possible to travel before applying to CRNA school, but in addition to needing to get more experience so you can get higher acuity patients, you also will need to keep in mind how LORs (Letters of Recommendation) will work when you need them for your CRNA school application. 

Most programs will require a few LORs, some from a current manager. If you're traveling, it may be difficult to obtain one if you haven't been at a unit for very long; unfortunately, some managers outright refuse to write LORs if you haven't been at a unit for a certain length of time. 

There are several other factors to consider; I would check out this video for more on the topic. It features Anna, who is now a Nurse Anesthesia Resident who traveled before CRNA school and she shares advice and wisdom into this: 

 Cheering you on!! 

Hi! 

I also think that it is worth mentioning that it can be hard to establish relationships while traveling. Recommendations from colleagues and providers are very important when applying to CRNA school. Traveling is a great option as an ICU nurse that shows adaptability, flexibility, and diversity in experiences. Just make sure you are focusing on all aspects of your application while doing so.