Career advice for CRNA applications

[meganhali, BSN, CNA]

I have been a critical care nurse at a relatively small level III hospital in Baltimore City for the last 1.5 years. As my hospital only has one critical care unit, we take all patients surgical ICU/medical ICU/IMC. I have lots of experience with sedative titration, pressors, CRRT, and intubated patients (my hospital does not specialize in cardiac cases so that is the main area I am lacking experience).

My ICU was the dedicated COVID ICU and I worked directly with COVID positive patients for the last year. 

My main question was with regards to the acuity of my unit. Some places I’ve read you need to go to a level I trauma hospital, some places say it’s not necessary. Especially with my experience starting nursing in February 2020 (just as the pandemic began), I feel like I’ve been able to grow and learn much more quickly that I otherwise would have. 

Thank you in advance!

[PaSSiNGaS, MSN]

Not quite sure what your question is since you didn't actually ask one in your post but I'm assuming you want to know if you should look for a higher acuity hospital or stay?

If you are handling patients who are surgical and medical with multiple pressor/inotropic/vasoactive medications with multiple comorbidities I would say you should be fine.  Apply and just read up on physiology, pharmacology of anything and everything you have come into contact with as a RN in your unit.

If you don't manage to get in for whatever reasons I would then suggest moving over to U of M Shock Trauma or something with a higher acuity like CVICU.