Direct entry CRNA programs

[love-d-OR]

Just out of curiousity, do you see a future for direct entry CRNA programs? I have heard and know of direct entry NP programs and was wondering to my self if the CRNA programs are close to getting there. Some of those graduates have argued that being an RN first does not determine how well they practice as an NP, can that be said of CRNA practice?

~I am not for or against DE programs though I tend to think that advanced practice nursing degrees are for RN's to gain advanced nursing positions. On the other hand I have heard APN's say that being an NP or CRNA is nothing like being an RN, so is the RN experience necessary before the APN??

[bsnwnab]

I have no nursing experience, hence this question... what are the things you learn in ICU/CCU that is important in CRNA School? thanks

[nurseman78, BSN, RN, NP]

I'm currently working in the SICU at Vanderbilt Medical Center. A lot of nurses from the critical care units here go on to CRNA school.

A knowledge in critical care is a basis for anyone providing anesthesia, both MDs and CRNAs. The residents on our floor are either surgery residents or anesthesia residents, so they have to get their critical care time in, too.

What critical care provides for CRNA hopefuls is experience with taking care of critically ill people and the interventions used to help them. The things that CRNA schools like to see are:

- experience with ventilators

- hemodynamic monitoring (i.e. arterial lines and swan-ganz catheters that measure different pressures, afterload, preload, etc.)

- using vasoactive medications (i.e. medications that help tweak blood pressure, such as norepinepherine, phelylepherine, dopamine, etc.)

- experience titrating sedative and pain drips (propofol, precedex, versed, fentanyl, etc.)

This all make sense, since these are things that CRNAs/MDAs use all the time. CRNAs are the ones setting up and running the vents, as well as adjusting drips and sedation. Working in the SICU has been a great experience so far. It's challenging, but very rewarding to help people and see how much you are learning.

That said, I don't necessarily think you need more than 2 or so years of experience in an ICU to really get going on a CRNA program. My friend is in CRNA school now, and he said that while ICU gave him a taste of what CRNAs do, you still have a ton to learn. So, if you know you want to be a CRNA, I say get in a good ICU, get a few years down, and then start applying. That's what I'm doing.

[bsnwnab]

Thanks for the info :)

Does vanderbilt or other hospitals in general hire newgrads to work in the icu/ccu? What is usually the pay rate for a new grad?

[nurseman78, BSN, RN, NP]

Vanderbilt does hire new grads. They have a Nurse Residency Program which hires people about twice a year. They are accepting applications now to start in January of next year. It was about this time last year that I applied, and I started this past January.

I know that you can find some other hospitals that will possibly take on new grads. I also had an interview scheduled with Marquette Health Services in Marquette, Michigan, but cancelled when I found out Vandy was hiring me.

I think day shift for med-surg is $18.50 or so, with a dollar more for critical care. If you work nights, though, it bumps up by about three dollars, and another eight for the weekends. If you work nights, some weekends and the occasional overtime shift, you can do well.

If you want to make more at Vandy, you can. I will say that while you might get paid more at another hospital, the experience here has been amazing. Since this is a teaching hospital, everyone has a great attitude when it comes to learning and teaching people. This isn't a "nurses eat their young" type of place. Everyone has been very helpful, friendly and patient with me.

In addition to the environment here, Vandy provides a lot of great opportunities and benefits. They have great tuition reimbursement. While they don't offer a CRNA program, they DO offer every other type of advanced practice nursing degree, such as FNP, ACNP or Midwifery. And with their tuition reimbursement, you can get a Vanderbilt degree for pretty dang cheap. And if you do want to go the CRNA route, Vanderbilt has a close connection with Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia, which is nearby here in Madison.

The nice thing is that Nashville isn't ridiculously expensive, and there is so much to do here. Seriously, it's hard to be bored here. I moved from Utah, and while that was a tough transition initially, I couldn't have asked for a better place to start out.

[nurseman78, BSN, RN, NP]

Oh, here's the link to the NRP:

https://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/root/vumc.php?site=nurseresidency&doc=24307

[bsnwnab]

Thank you!! appreciate all the info... =')