Become A Nurse Just To Be A Crna?

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Does Anyone Think It Is Wrong To Want To Be An Rn Just So That They Could Be A Crna? Although The Clinical Experience In Icu Is Priceless.

its ok allamericangirl i guess we sometimes say things before we think about them. good luck to u as well. i hope we are all able to attain our goals

Does Anyone Think It Is Wrong To Want To Be An Rn Just So That They Could Be A Crna? Although The Clinical Experience In Icu Is Priceless.

How could it be wrong to have a long-term goal? Many student enter their training knowing (or having an inkling) that they may wish to specialize.

Do you think it is wrong for someone to want to be an MD just so they can become an Anesthesiologist?:chuckle

Frankly, I'm not sure I understand your question. Do YOU think it is wrong for students to enter nursing with the intention of perhaps becoming a CRNA? I'm not sure I get the "just so that they could be a CRNA" phrase, either. It seems more accurate to say that I'm going into nursing IN ORDER TO BECOME a CRNA.

Although The Clinical Experience In Icu Is Priceless.

Yes, the clinical experience in ICU is priceless....also required to even enter a CRNA program.:rolleyes:

That makes a lot of sense

How could it be wrong to have a long-term goal? Many student enter their training knowing (or having an inkling) that they may wish to specialize.

Do you think it is wrong for someone to want to be an MD just so they can become an Anesthesiologist?:chuckle

Frankly, I'm not sure I understand your question. Do YOU think it is wrong for students to enter nursing with the intention of perhaps becoming a CRNA? I'm not sure I get the "just so that they could be a CRNA" phrase, either. It seems more accurate to say that I'm going into nursing IN ORDER TO BECOME a CRNA.

Nobody is knocking potential longterm goals...we all should have them. I just happen to think the primary goal should be first learning how to be a NURSE, then a competent CRITICAL CARE NURSE before moving into another specialty. JMHO.

Yes, I do agree.

What about those that aren't concerned about becoming a competent nurse first and just want to shoot through icu just to have the experience required for school, although they learned tremendously about the machines in icu, they just want to get to crna school.

Nobody is knocking potential longterm goals...we all should have them. I just happen to think the primary goal should be first learning how to be a NURSE, then a competent CRITICAL CARE NURSE before moving into another specialty. JMHO.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

what do you think a CRNA does? It's more than monitors and machines, you know. Part of the title "CRNA" tells you they are NURSES first and foremost. It's not just about machines and physics, although those are a huge part of it!

here are the minimum requirements to be accepted into an accredited school of nurse anesthesia. this was taken directly from the aana website:

admission to a nurse anesthesia program requires graduation from an accredited school of nursing, a baccalaureate degree, current licensure as a registered nurse, and at least 1 year of professional experience in an acute care setting. most applicants have acquired extensive clinical experience in areas such as coronary, respiratory, post anesthesia, and surgical intensive care units.

please note the requirement for "at least one year of professional expeience in an acute care setting." professional experience does not include student or resident status. it means employment as a professional nurse in an acute care setting. classroom or skills lab experience does not translate to acute care.

Yes, I do agree.

What about those that aren't concerned about becoming a competent nurse first and just want to shoot through icu just to have the experience required for school, although they learned tremendously about the machines in icu, they just want to get to crna school.

I think those who just want to shoot through the ICU experience are going to have problems. If they haven't really learned what they need to. ICU is a huge learning experience and it probably takes a year to become somewhat comfortable. And to be honest not many hospitals will hire an ICU who tells them they are just there for the required ICU experience. I think some ICU's that hire new grad want a contract for a couple of years. Doesn't it take 16 weeks just to precept a new grad. Very costly for the hospital. And some ICU's still require you to pay your dues in Med/Surg. Our county and a big training hospital are the only in my area that hire straight to ICU, that I know of. Besides the CRNA program will expect that you will be competent as a nurse. They sure aren't going to be teaching you to do IV's, etc.

While I don't have a problem with the program per se, I do have a problem if you are not spending a full year as just an RN ICU nurse and learning everything as if you were going to be doing it long-term. You musn't try to cut corners as far as your experiences in the ICU.

The thing that really concerns me about the AP nurse programs like this is the availability of jobs for new grads. Many employers want to see the experience as a paid RN, even if you do have you AP degree. I myself would be asking those questions before I attended any program.

Yes, I do agree.

What about those that aren't concerned about becoming a competent nurse first and just want to shoot through icu just to have the experience required for school, although they learned tremendously about the machines in icu, they just want to get to crna school.

Hopefully these types will not qualify for admittance to CRNA school and preference will be given to experienced critical care NURSES. I can only hope.

Note the 3rd letter in CRNA...it is NURSE. The title itself is explanatory IMHO.

I am not a CRNA so I will allow CRNA's to answer further.

At one time I looked into CRNA as I craved the more independent role...however I decided I could not stand being in such close proximity to surgeons. :coollook:

Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

I graduated from the CRNA program at Columbia back in the 80's. Even though I had 8 years of nursing experience, none of it was critical care so had to work a year in CCU before attending. There were about 100 applications for 9 slots. One person dropped out the first week. No one had kids and all were very seasoned nurses. I can't imagine getting through the program without knowing at an intuitive level how to evaluate and care for a sick patient. We did all of our general and neuro cases at Roosevelt and Columbia. Today the students have to do a lot more traveling, so the time demands can be greater than the old days when we all lived uptown.

you know I totally understand the above posts. Since everyone is so against the minumum 1 year critical care experience what about some grads who are admitted to crna programs with the minumum 1 year experience. Are any one of u insinuating that a nurse with the minumum critical care experience would not be successful as a CRNA? Im just curious im just trying to understand.

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