Critical Care Float Pool Nurses and CRNA School

[RNyoucute, BSN]

Hi All!

Does anyone have or know of anyone who has had success in getting accepted into CRNA school with critical care (CC) float pool experience?

Background:

CC float pool nurse working in a level 1 trauma hospital for 6 months. Prior experience working in the M/S ICU in a small community hospital for 1.5 years.

[S3682]

Most schools I’ve looked at state current bedside ICU practice.

[RNyoucute, BSN]

5 minutes ago, S3682 said:

Most schools I’ve looked at state current bedside ICU practice.

Thanks for the feedback but I am currently at the bedside. I just float between the different ICUs at my hospital.

[Asherah, BSN, RN]

I know you asked for people who had success with a CC float background, and I can't speak to that but if I was a program evaluating a critical care float nurse I would wonder if they were getting many high-acuity patients. In the units where I have worked in a large academic facilities there is an overwhelming tendency to give float nurses the lower acuity patients...often times due to the need for newer nurses needing to orient and have exposure to the sick patients, or rewarding the core nurses of the unit. It's unfortunate, but it does happen and I'm not sure how easy it may be to overcome that perception.

Also, in terms of being involved on the unit, establishing a reputation as a clinical leader/mentor, often involves being on a dedicated unit. You may fabsolutely be able to take care of everything, but overcoming the perception of being a float nurse to a nurse anesthesia adcom might be challenging to demonstrate. Just my two cents.

[RNyoucute, BSN]

47 minutes ago, Asherah said:

I know you asked for people who had success with a CC float background, and I can't speak to that but if I was a program evaluating a critical care float nurse I would wonder if they were getting many high-acuity patients. In the units where I have worked in a large academic facilities there is an overwhelming tendency to give float nurses the lower acuity patients...often times due to the need for newer nurses needing to orient and have exposure to the sick patients, or rewarding the core nurses of the unit. It's unfortunate, but it does happen and I'm not sure how easy it may be to overcome that perception.

Also, in terms of being involved on the unit, establishing a reputation as a clinical leader/mentor, often involves being on a dedicated unit. You may fabsolutely be able to take care of everything, but overcoming the perception of being a float nurse to a nurse anesthesia adcom might be challenging to demonstrate. Just my two cents.

Thanks for the feedback! I never thought about it that way. In a few weeks I will be attending an open house for one of the programs that I’m interested in. Hopefully I will get a feel of how they perceive CC nurses in these positions. If they do perceive it as you believe, at least I’ll figure out things from there

[brookalyn, BSN, RN]

I have been a staff nurse most of the time, but have done float and travel ICU as well. I’ve only had one conversation with one CRNA school about my experience, and they told me straight up that they wouldn’t consider my travel nurse or float icu experience as part of my ICU experience. So I didn’t apply there. ? Some other schools might value your adaptability and flexibility. You just need to market yourself to those who are willing to give you a chance. Hope that helps!

[TPN1986, RN]

Alternatively you could take a full time staff position in an ICU and apply to any school you'd like. Not trying to assume your situation, but I think it would only make your life easier when applying to school to have multiple options.