Dilemma

[Kiwi, BSN, RN]

I am a nursing student with two semesters to complete before graduation. I am dedicated to getting acceptance into a nurse anesthesia school. Here is my dilemma:

- I have been offered a 10-week nurse internship for this summer at the Mayo Clinic's SICU at St. Marys in Rochester, MN. While this sounds exciting(!), nurse interns are not allowed to dispense any medications, push drugs, monitor IV drips or ventilators, or do anything invasive to the patients. Thus, my summer would consist of pseudo-nurseaide tasks i.e. inserting F/C, getting vitals, I&Os. That stuff. While I can appreciate the wonderful observation opportunities, I question if it would benefit my goals toward acceptance into a program. This nurse internship seems like it would only pad my resume, not give me hands on SICU experience.

- My other option for this summer would be to take 2 inorganic chemistry classes with labs, and a physics class with lab. These classes are required for the 3 nurse anesthesia schools I am most interested in.

Ultimately, I think I will end up taking science classes this summer instead of completing the internship at Mayo. I'd appreciate any advice or opinions from the denizens of this board. I have been "lurking" on this board for about a month, and I think the people here are supportive on the goals of nursing students. I look forward to joining your discussions and learning from such articulate RNs and CRNAs.

[Berliner]

I defer most of your question to those who were in your position, aka knew from the getgo what they wanted from the start of nursing school.

I do, however, want to ask a couple of questions- do the schools you are looking at not require 1 year experience to apply? When you graduate, what kind of degree are you getting- BSN? MSN?

In my humble opinion, I think what you do with your summer might want to lean toward getting a great ICU job at a hospital that the program you are looking into admires. If the nurses aide type job is at a hospital you'd like to work at, it might help as far as lessening the burden of new things you have to learn when you start as a new grad (ie, where things are, comfortable with the staff etc). Otherwise, you'll learn it just like every one else.

As far as the classes, I don't think they are really going to weigh heavily from the prospective employer standpoint. . Again this is all mute if you already have experience. The best advice, now that I've written all this, is what many have said all along- find out what the school you desire looks for in a candidate!

Hope this isn't too much babble:chuckle

[Kiwi, BSN, RN]

Thanks Berliner - I already work in a large hospital ICU as a nurse aide. I will graduate with my BSN in May '05. I will be shadowing at MTSA (my #1 choice) on February 20, so I'll ask their opinion about my summer experiences. Bist du ein Berliner?

[Perseverance]

Does the Mayo clinic SICU hire new graduates onto their unit? Is this 10 week internship only for 10 weeks or is their an option to work there part-time throughout the school year (say on weekends)? If it is just 10 weeks of wiping ass, then no way. You can go to your local nursing home and wipe ass all you want. But, if they hire new grads into the ICU, then this is something to think about. Allowing the staff to get to know you and seeing first hand that you are competent, helpful and fun and would be a great addition to the team, then wiping a little ass would be worth it.

Taking classes in preparation for nurse anesthesia school? No. I worked through the summer and had fun. But I also didnt want anything to do with graduate school either. I agree with Berliner. Deal with your current nursing career and not something you will be doing in the future. Trying to find a job after graduation seem the best response. You cant get into a NA program if you dont have ICU experience.

[Berliner]

Nein, nur bei meinem Vorfatem. Ich habe freundinin im Deutchland und aus hatte ich deutch gelernt. Though I obviously can't remember it very well. My husband's last name is Berlin- which my german friends think is hillarious:p

[Kiwi, BSN, RN]

:kiss kissing ass VS wiping ass?

dilemma solved.

Again, I am REQUIRED to have chemistry and physics. So I might as well take them sooner then later. Yes, wiping ass would be my summer's work. I'm already signed on to work with a hospital after graduation, so working at Mayo after graduation isn't an option for me. My hospital will pay for me to go to CRNA school after completing one year in the ICU.

[mommyof2grls]

I personally would do the internship, as you will learn alot. I did something similar to that while in my BSN program, and although we had to have meds checked off, and some nurses would not let us admin. meds, we were not aids, nor were we treated like it. We shadowed the nurse and learned a great deal.

You will have to work for one year in an ICU anyway, I would spread the classes out over that year to ensure you get very good grades on them. Then if you do not get in the first time you can take grad courses etc.

I know many times these internships are the units way of evail potential employees. If this is a potential opportunity I would take it.

Also, evaluate your current unit, the acuity of and number of patients, and protential experiences after graduation. Compare the 2 and see what you a.) would most enjoy, and b) will be of greater benefit for you furture application.

Just my 2 cents.