Does trauma level matter?

[criticalstanley]

I am curious about everyone's opinion about the importance of trauma level experience when applying to CRNA school. There is only one trauma-1 level hospital and about 4 trauma-3 level hospitals in our city. The trauma-1 level hospital is a teaching hospital associated with a college...but I have connections with another hospital and would have an easier time landing a job in the ICU there.

[zoozoo]

You need Level 1, otherwise you won't be competitive to other students...

Personally I think that if you have enough knowledge and experience of ICU, you might secure a spot in the program but chances are slim. A lot of applicants come to CRNA programs with Level 1 experience and if you don't have it that puts your application in the back file.

[heartICU]

You need Level 1, otherwise you won't be competitive to other students...

Personally I think that if you have enough knowledge and experience of ICU, you might secure a spot in the program but chances are slim. A lot of applicants come to CRNA programs with Level 1 experience and if you don't have it that puts your application in the back file.

I disagree. Many large teaching institutions do not have LEvel 1 trauma centers. Just because you aren't in the trauma ICU doesn't mean there aren't sick patients to take care of in the CTICU, CICU, SICU, etc. I would just make sure that it is a larger hospital, especially an academic one. You will get extremely sick patients there, and therefore great experience.

The hospital I received my experience from is a Level III trauma center - yet the acuity level is astronomical. I would say 80% of my class (if not more) had experience in ICUs with critically ill patients that were NOT trauma patients. There are three main hospitals where I am, and only one has a trauma ICU. Most students are from the other two hospitals.

[gasmn2b]

Being in school now and getting to know a lot of different people with a wide variety of backgrounds, the answer is an overwhelming

NO!!!! Best of luck to you. Sorry if I might seem a little fed up by these questions. Just be confident in yourself and the rest will follow.

[piper_for_hire]

I think what helps more than the Trauma level is if the school knows the ICU that you work in. If they already know about the kinds of patients that you have there, then the trauma level is irrelevant, right? If they don't know your ICU they may look at the trauma level and make some assumptions. With decent grades and GREs you'll get an interview and then you can tell them all about the great stuff your ICU is doing.

-S

I am curious about everyone's opinion about the importance of trauma level experience when applying to CRNA school. There is only one trauma-1 level hospital and about 4 trauma-3 level hospitals in our city. The trauma-1 level hospital is a teaching hospital associated with a college...but I have connections with another hospital and would have an easier time landing a job in the ICU there.

[dfk, RN, CRNA]

no

[Outdoor1]

No, it doesn't matter. Just get diverse experience with drips, swans, balloon pumps, invasive lines, etc.