CRNA with NICU experience & GI Bill

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Hi there!

So my goal is to be a CRNA. However, as far as ICU goes, I only have NICU experience. I know that adult ICU is required and highly recommended by a lot of schools. Can any CRNA or students in CRNA school chime in on if I’ll be ok with just my NICU experience?

Alsi has anybody funded their schooling with the GI Bill? If so, did it cover all expenses? How does one even start the process of using their GI Bill? Would you apply for the GI Bill first or school? I’m so lost in how it works.

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I know of no school that will accept NICU alone for admittance. Maybe, MAYBE, NICU if there is several years of other, adult acute care experience. But no, do yourself and your career a favor, and get 2-3 years of adult critical care experience.

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What kind of adult ICU do you recommend? I was thinking neuro. I’ve had colleagues who have applied with either NICU or PICU experience and have gotten accepted. Not sure their take on if they’d recommend it since they are on deployment right now.

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It just does not matter the type of ICU, as long as you are getting good experience. It should be big, and busy, and have a nice mix of patients who require vents and all that goes with that, and vasoactive drugs and all that goes with that. They will all have lines, so just make sure it is a busy place with lots of patients. I think, just my opinion, that a busy Surgical/Trauma ICU would be best, as it gets you the best variety. Heart units are great and all, but at times a little bit too narrow of a focus. A busy MICU with a lot of sick patients is fine as well. Just get experience. Period.

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Specializes in CRNA.

There are programs that accept NICU experience.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Duke takes NICU experience

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Specializes in ICU.
On 3/8/2019 at 3:19 PM, Amisadai said:

Duke takes NICU experience

oh goodness really. I just don't understand why any school would. NICU is about systems growing.

Adult ICU is about systems that has LIVED LIFE HARD and are failing and how does that impact what you need to do with medication etc.

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I believe Excela in PA accepts NICU experience as well as Barry, FIU and UM.

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