CRNA- ICU experience

victoria89 · May 25, 2016

I can't speak for others, but I got into every school I applied to with only Neuro ICU experience. Actually, one of the program directors stated SRNAs that used to be Neuro ICU nurses had the highest NCE pass rate percentage out of any ICU specialty. I bet there are some schools that prefer a certain type of ICU experience, but I doubt it would make or break your application. Plus, you can always get your CCRN certification to demonstrate your knowledge of general critical care patho/management.

Editorial Team / Admin · May 25, 2016

Once again, several off-topic posts have been removed. Making this a personal one-on-one debate is not sticking to the topic.

Thank you.

HopefulSRNA1234 · May 25, 2016

Because I am actually one of the people sitting on those committees. For two different programs. Thousands of miles apart. Neuro is not frowned on any more than CVICU is preferred. This is a crazy myth the permeates this board, and it is pure dogma. I attend conferences with faculty from all over the country, and I know what they like and things about which they care not at all. Almost every post presented here as evidence actually makes the opposite point. Those lists are not in any particular order. Level I does not matter either. Far better to be in a large, busy, community ICU not crawling with residents and where critical
thinking and assessment are necessary. So many, many myths on this site.

So this is straight from Albany's website:

"in order of preference, include the following: Surgical Intensive Care, Post-Open Heart, Coronary Care, Medical Intensive Care, Post-Anesthesia, and Pediatric or Neonatal Intensive Care. Those who have experiences in other areas will be considered provided they can demonstrate familiarity with invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology."

And then there is SUNY Downstate

"The Nurse Anesthesia program requires a minimum of two years of current critical care experience (EXCLUDING ORIENTATION), which must be completed within the last three (3) years by the time of application

This experience must be completed in one of the following intensive care units:

Surgical

Medical

Cardio Thoracic

Experience in the following intensive care units (d, e, f, g) will be accepted, ONLY if combined with one of the experiences listed above (a, b, or c ) for a minimum of one year.

Neonatal

Pediatric

Coronary Care Unit

Neurosurgical"

You're wrong. Please don't offer advice to students on just the basis of your experience from two schools. This is just your personal experience but is not fact. Some schools do rank experience and some do not accept neuro. This is a fact and not subject to interpretation.

victoria89 · May 25, 2016

A Neuro ICU can be very much a Surgical ICU depending on your institution and how patients are split up between units. While I don't think anyone is debating that some schools may not like Neuro ICU experience, it seems to be a minority or particular to a certain region. Have you looked at Columbia? Its also in the same geographical area of the schools you quoted and they accepted me with just Neuro ICU experience.

Essentially, I don't think the "type" of ICU experience matters as much as what you learned during that time. How to manage ventilated patients, invasive lines, learn to think critically, etc. Also, acuity matters more than type of unit in my opinion. If only 2 out of every 100 patients are on a ventilator but its called a CVICU, would that really be better experience than a large, busy Neuro ICU? Just my thoughts. Good luck with your application!

BigPappaCRNA · May 26, 2016

So your post actually makes my point. Even Albany actually DOES accept Neuro-ICU. And, of course they do. My God, do you really think they would accept Neonatal ICU but not adult Neuro?!?!? Really?!?!? Listen carefully now, you are a great web surfer, there is no doubt. But you are not a good listener. Usually that is because one doesn't like what they are hearing because it goes against their preconceived ideas. I sit on admissions, info to "Assembly of School Faculty" every year. I consult with colleagues around the country every month. We frequently speak because we have potential students apply to 5, 10, sometimes 15 different schools. Students even ask questions about other programs and we help set them up for success. I do this. For a living. Believe what you want, as it makes no matter to me. But to the OP, please do your due diligence you will do just fine. If there is a program you really want to attend, just call them. Ask them. They will be only to happy to help you. There are a few that won't, and you can draw your own conclusions as to what kind of program it is. While performing your due diligence, make sure you go to a program that,

1. Has small-ish classes. Avoid huge classes.

2. Has at least some independent CRNA only rotations.

3. Allows you to do regional anesthesia of all kinds and that you get far in excess your case numbers.

4. Allows you to get far in excess of all your OB numbers. This is very important. 80-100 epidurals and spinals, and 40-50 C-Sections need to be the norm.

To the OP, good luck.

HopefulSRNA1234 · May 26, 2016

So your post actually makes my point. Even Albany actually DOES accept Neuro-ICU. And, of course they do. My God, do you really think they would accept Neonatal ICU but not adult Neuro?!?!? Really?!?!? Listen carefully now, you are a great web surfer, there is no doubt. But you are not a good listener. Usually that is because one doesn't like what they are hearing because it goes against their preconceived ideas. I sit on admissions, info to "Assembly of School Faculty" every year. I consult with colleagues around the country every month. We frequently speak because we have potential students apply to 5, 10, sometimes 15 different schools. Students even ask questions about other programs and we help set them up for success. I do this. For a living. Believe what you want, as it makes no matter to me. But to the OP, please do your due diligence you will do just fine. If there is a program you really want to attend, just call them. Ask them. They will be only to happy to help you. There are a few that won't, and you can draw your own conclusions as to what kind of program it is. While performing your due diligence, make sure you go to a program that,
1. Has small-ish classes. Avoid huge classes.
2. Has at least some independent CRNA only rotations.
3. Allows you to do regional anesthesia of all kinds and that you get far in excess your case numbers.
4. Allows you to get far in excess of all your OB numbers. This is very important. 80-100 epidurals and spinals, and 40-50 C-Sections need to be the norm.
To the OP, good luck.

Wow you're quite nasty in tone. Anyways, I'm not sure what is confusing you. Per Albany, they do rank ICUs in order of preference. Per SUNY downstate, they do NOT accept neuro. Not all ICUs are treated equally for all schools. This really isn't complicated. Your personal experience of sitting on admissions boards at two universities does not allow you to speak for all schools. I let the schools speak for themselves via the information they provide on their website.

If you're so proud of sitting on admission boards why don't you tell us which schools you work for? I'm really doubting your claimed status due to your lack of professionalism and lack of knowledge of the field

Editorial Team / Admin · May 26, 2016

Despite 2 redirects, it doesn't appear the conversation can continue w/o making it personal.

Thread closed.