Er experience

rmcgrog · Dec 12, 2003

Thanks for your really honest answer. I completely understand the rationale for obtaining ICU experience prior to entry into CRNA school now. You are right, initially I felt slighted that some schools do not consider ER as valid critical care experience but your explanation has completely clarified the difference. I have just contacted a few nurse recruiters regarding CVU positions. Thanks Again!!!!

deke · Dec 12, 2003

If I were you, I would consider meeting with the program director at the school you are interested in applying to. :cool:

Just ask them up front to look at your transcripts, (take them with you), look at your work experience and ask them what direction they could give you in terms of being accepted to the program. It would depend on the program of course. I am currently in a program and we have a hodge podge of experience, CVICU, TSICU, neonatal ICU, PACU, OR, ER, you name it and we've got it. There seems to be no definite advantage in what the background is to me. Anesthesia is totally different.

Commenting to the folks that ask why so many people are interested in CRNA. There are several reasons: 1) there is more respect I feel for CRNA's due to higher skill level, advanced degree, etc. 2) Better hours. I worked 11-7 for several years, holidays, 26 weekends a year. I realize I will continue to work call and the like but, it will be nowhere near the terrible hours I have worked in the past. 3) Respect. Nurses are very smart and do a great job and many lives depend on nurses but as a profession we have little respect from the general public. This is a generalized statement but very true in many ways. How many have ever heard, "Let him/her clean em up, dats what they get paid to do." "What are you the bedpan checker?" The list goes on and on. I don't mean to sound so cynical because there are many many examples of this not being the case, but as I said before many times it is. That's my 2 cents. Hope the first amount of my writing helps.