Did you feel comfortable sharing your career goals of becoming a CRNA before nurse an

[prosperouschick]

I would like to find out if current CRNAs felt comfortable expressing their career goals of becoming a CRNA when interviewing for ICU positions and/or while working in ICU with managers or co-workers. I'm asking because I currently work on a general surgical floor, and I am preparing to look for opportunities in SICU with the ultimate goal of going to Nurse Anesthesia school. However, I have gotten the sense that it is sometimes not best to share your goals of becoming a CRNA, even with your manager. This feels a little weird to me, because it is probably the first time I have felt that I needed to keep quiet about my career aspirations.

Can some of you share your thoughts and experiences about sharing your career aspirations of becoming a CRNA with co-workers before entering anesthesia school? Thanks.

[JStyles1]

when i was interviewing for the sicu i worked in, the manager told me she expects to hear everyone aspires to be a crna. most of the people the local university took for the crna program came from her icu. she understood a lot of people use her icu as a stepping stone and said she'd never dream of holding someone back on wanting to better themselves

[Crossfit SRNA2b]

I just did interviews for quiet a few ICU positions. My end goal is definitely to become a CRNA; that is basically the whole reason i am even becoming an RN. It is imperative not to mention that you plan on working in the ICU for 1-2 years only to jet off to CRNA school.

This advice comes directly from the mouth of one of my instructors, a former ICU manager for 10 + years.

The reason is they are investing quiet a bit of time in training you to become an ICU nurse. They would rather hire someone who plans to work on their floor for an extended period of time, than someone who is only planning on staying for a year or so; granted all things are equal, or least close.

As far as telling your colleagues (once you have secured the job that is), i would think that it wouldn't really matter. But i'll have to defer this to the current ICU nurses with actual experience on the matter.

[detroitdano]

When I interviewed for my MICU position, I told them I didn't want to go the CRNA route. That was earlier this year. I read up and spoke with many people since that time and now I plan on going down that road in the next few years.

I openly talk about it now at work and get encouragement from everyone.

What are they gonna do, fire me for having a change of mind once I experienced some new things on the unit? Nope. I plan on being there for about 2 years, and I work very hard to prove my worth, so they should be happy that I'll be there for the 2 years.

[silver1]

I have interviewed for two different ICU's over my RN career. During both interviews I expressed my determination to become a CRNA, but what I really think got me the jobs was my extreme interest in learning and hard work. I personally would recommend letting them know that you are interested in CRNA school. A couple factors to weight:

IF you do let them know, that could be a slight factor in you getting the position.

But if you dont tell your manager, what happens when your suprise him/her by asking for a letter of recommendation in 8 months...Most schools require you to have a LOR from your current manager. If they want to keep you, they'll write you need more experience, its happend to many people.

Maybe you could ask your manager how he/she feels about furthering ones education. If she promotes it I would be honest with her with your dreams/goals.

Just something to think about!

Goodluck

[Crossfit SRNA2b]

that is some great advice silver. In the long run, i do feel it is probably better to be upfront and honest about your intentions, but this situation is almost a catch 22. If you tell them your plans, then you can get a letter of rec, and you dont feel as if you are being deceitful, however you may not get the job; if you don't tell them then you may get the job but you will be put in an awkward situation when that time does come to ask for a letter of rec.

My personal experience and knowledge gathered from others much more experienced...don't tell them you plan to leave in one or two years. Securing a job first is the most important thing, worry about the letter of rec, and cross that bridge when the time arrives. If you are a great employee the manager should write an honest eval of you. If the manager won't, screw it, get a letter of rec from a fellow employee or charge nurse etc and explain your situation. (people have done this in the past with success).

On a side note, I did just accept a job in the cardiac intensive care unit (as a new grad) and my continuing education goals that i mentioned were to obtain acls and ccrn certification