Critical care experience

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I will be graduating and ADN program in December, my end goal is to become a CRNA. As far as I understand, I need a minimum of one year critical care experience. I have a long road ahead of me, where should I focus my efforts initially to give me the best experience so I can get that critical care job? Medical floor, surgical, floor, OR?

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I would say med-surg or tele. OR is highly specialized and I haven't seen people with OR experience come to the ICU. I am not sure if that is because they really like OR and don't want to leave it though.

good luck.

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I'm interested in the responses as well

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

Definitely med-surg or tele, ICU stepdown if you can or ER.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU, SICU.

where do u live? some areas will hire new grads in the icu, especially if u have experience as a tech (cna) or some other kind of healthcare experience: EMT, military medic, EKG tech, etc... personally, if i couldnt have landed a new grad icu job, i would have tried (in the following order):

1. ER

2. Step-down

3. Tele

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I agree with what Fumanchueday said. Also, look for ICU residency programs. I was hired into a 5 month ICU internship at a trauma I with an associated degree, and no CNA experience. I believe there is a thread on allnurses regarding different hospitals that offer internships. Also, some hospitals will hire directly into the ICU and train on the job (non-internship). Good luck!

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CRNA schools want to see ICU experience. That means either SICU or MICU. Try your hardest to get into one of these departments. I am in the same boat as you!:up:

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I agree with what Fumanchueday said. Also, look for ICU residency programs. I was hired into a 5 month ICU internship at a trauma I with an associated degree, and no CNA experience. I believe there is a thread on allnurses regarding different hospitals that offer internships. Also, some hospitals will hire directly into the ICU and train on the job (non-internship). Good luck!

Hey what hospital did u get the internship at? Upon graduation I plan to get into rn residency programs preferably in the ICU to become a CRNA. I have some healthcare experience with a BS in Health Ed & Behavior and year full time internship with the dept of surgery at UF

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University of Utah. Also never mention CRNA school in the interview. No one will hire you.

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Thank you for all your input!!

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Specializes in cardiac CVRU/ICU/cardiac rehab/case management.

OR certification is different.People tend not to leave the OR.It takes minimum of 2-3 yrs to be competent.

For certification MICU provides extensive multi system complex failure.Also good for renal component of exam

CVRU lengthy training. cardiac section of exam becomes a breeze .

CCU slower pace than other units and a good place to begin unit nursing.

ER certificate also different.You will see it all. Aim for trauma if you want to learn alot. Downside,like OR very specific

For exam you need 2000 hrs in the field.

My view of best learning_ Med/surg then either MICU/SICU. CVRU (for me was the best )

Reasoning_Med surg provides organization skills and you learn how to handle stress and crisis more slowly. If you know for sure unit nursing is your thing then you can certainly begin there but it might be a tougher start.Unit nsg can feel quite high stress 1st off whereas med surg is physically more tiring and the stress is more cumulative.

Just,my opinion.Others may totally disagree.

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Ok yea that makes sense since they want someone to be potentially long term n not short term. Thanks for that

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