CRNA Question

CRNA2007 · Oct 18, 2007

You really want to work in ICU. I would also float to ER and possibly do some pediatrics. make yourself well rouinded and at a certain comfort leve, not so much for Anesthesia admissions but for your own comfort when dealing with these patients as an anesthesia provider. I would definitely start of in intensive care.

Hello Everyone,
I am currently beginning my pre-reqs for nursing school.
Once I get in I am planning on getting my Associates, then begin working at a hospital. I then plan on getting my Bachelors (Hospital will help with the tuition I hear).
If I was interested in then later going for my CNRA, while I am working in the hospital is there a specific department I should work in while working at the hospital?
The reason I ask this is because I am read other posts from people who are interested in going for CNRA and it seems like they all once they got their Associates or Bachelors and then worked in ICU. I was wondering if this is coincidence or if there was a reason for this.
Also, if anyone has any advice please offer!

shandsburnRN-CRNA · Oct 18, 2007

No coincidence, you must work in an ICU before CRNA, every school requires at least 1 year as an ICU RN. Usually adult ICU's are preferred over the Peds ICU's but not always. As an ICU RN you will become proficient and familiar with a lot of the equipment you'll be using as a CRNA, such as central lines, arterial lines, Swanz, vasoactive infusions analgesics, sedatives, paralytics, ECG interpretation, etc.

You'll also need to work on getting and keeping your CPR, ACLS and PALS certifications up to date. Other people have numerous other certs, such as CCRN and TNCC. You'll also need to take the GRE, almost all CRNA schools require it though some will also accept the GMAT I think it is. Though not all schools require CCRN the questions asked during you interview alot of times come from this material.

All CRNA programs require a BS degree, I think a BSN is probably preferred but alot of schools will accept other science based BS degrees. I pretty much took the road you're looking at. After my ADN program I went right to an ICU at a Level 1 Trauma Center (Burn ICU, specifically) while working I did a RN-to-BSN program and took the GRE....twice, (I already had CPR, ACLS and PALS because I was a Paramedic prior to my ADN program) I didn't get CCRN but I studied the material. During my interview I didn't have any technical questions but we had to take a written test. Some schools however ask technical questions during the interview.

Hope some of this helps, if you have any other questions...fire away.

sleepergirl · Oct 18, 2007

Most schools require at least 1 year experience in a critical care setting. Once you get your ADN try to get into critical care while working on your BSN. That way when you are ready to apply for programs you will have more than one year of the required experience that the schools are looking

dfk, RN, CRNA · Oct 21, 2007

No coincidence, you must work in an ICU before CRNA, every school requires at least 1 year as an ICU RN. Usually adult ICU's are preferred over the Peds ICU's but not always. As an ICU RN you will become proficient and familiar with a lot of the equipment you'll be using as a CRNA, such as central lines, arterial lines, Swanz, vasoactive infusions analgesics, sedatives, paralytics, ECG interpretation, etc.
You'll also need to work on getting and keeping your CPR, ACLS and PALS certifications up to date. Other people have numerous other certs, such as CCRN and TNCC. You'll also need to take the GRE, almost all CRNA schools require it though some will also accept the GMAT I think it is. Though not all schools require CCRN the questions asked during you interview alot of times come from this material.
All CRNA programs require a BS degree, I think a BSN is probably preferred but alot of schools will accept other science based BS degrees. I pretty much took the road you're looking at. After my ADN program I went right to an ICU at a Level 1 Trauma Center (Burn ICU, specifically) while working I did a RN-to-BSN program and took the GRE....twice, (I already had CPR, ACLS and PALS because I was a Paramedic prior to my ADN program) I didn't get CCRN but I studied the material. During my interview I didn't have any technical questions but we had to take a written test. Some schools however ask technical questions during the interview.
Hope some of this helps, if you have any other questions...fire away.

while some good info, this is not completely true.

most programs require 1 yr ICU.

some programs will accept 1 yr ER.

these are few and far between but they do exist.

the most rounded candidate will have both of these...