where do i go from here?

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My first post, work with me people.

I am senior in my BSN program and I graduate in may and have been committed to becoming a CRNA since my 1st year. I currently work in the ER as a nurse tech and I like it but i don't love it. Here's my dilemma: Do I stay in the ER for a few years before transferring to SICU and then apply after a few years (which would be four years total) or do I go straight to the ICU if possible and start becoming an expert in critical care nursing and apply after a few years? One CRNA professor told me to stay in the ER to make me a better overall nurse while the students in the CRNA program told me not to go straight to SICU. What to do? I want to be a great candidate for the program but I do not want to wait on achieving my dream. I could really use your help.

thanks.

desperate in detroit

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This is similar to the argument for doing med/surg for a year to "get your sea legs" before going on to critical care. Some may disagree with me here, but I don't subscribe to that at all. I did every kind of nursing and they are all different animals. When I finally went into CVICU, I had to unlearn a lot and re-learn more. I don't get why CRNAs would tell you not to get as much ICU experience as you could. It takes a while to be proficient. I say go to the ICU. Why do you have to wait 4 years? Do you have a tuition agreement? Good luck!

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This is similar to the argument for doing med/surg for a year to "get your sea legs" before going on to critical care. Some may disagree with me here, but I don't subscribe to that at all. I did every kind of nursing and they are all different animals. When I finally went into CVICU, I had to unlearn a lot and re-learn more. I don't get why CRNAs would tell you not to get as much ICU experience as you could. It takes a while to be proficient. I say go to the ICU. Why do you have to wait 4 years? Do you have a tuition agreement? Good luck!

i definitely plan on going on as much of a straight path as possible to icu and than CRNA

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Specializes in Med/Onc, SICU.

From what I've gathered, CRNA schools mostly look at your ICU experience. I don't think they really care about what kind of nursing you did before that. If you get experience with vents, vasoactive drips, cardiac meds, EKGs, and swans in your ER then I think it might be worthwhile to stay there for a while because those are the kind of things you need to know. But if you'll get more experience with those things in your SICU, then I think you should go straight there. I spent a year on a med/surg floor before I went to the SICU and I really don't think that its going to help me get into CRNA school - what I'm doing now in the SICU will. The CRNA schools want to make sure you know your stuff and that you are the kind of person who can make it through the program and be successful as a CRNA. Letting them know that you've had the goal of becoming a CRNA and have made and followed a plan to get you there may help show your commitment. I have applied to schools and will be interviewing soon so I'll let you know what happens and if I find out anything more about what they're looking for.

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Go straight to ICU if you can. Even if you are in a high acuity ER, you may limit yourself to which schools you can apply to if you have only ER. ALL schools accept ICU, not all accept ER. Getting the ER experience will give you no real advantage when you transfer to the ICU so go to ICU ASAP and get as much out of it as you can. Take classes, get as many courses and certifications as you can, become an ACLS instructor etc...gain valuable critical care experience and then apply to CRNA school.

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Thanks everyone for all the positive support and advice. Because of you all, I am actively beginning to look for an ICU position in May. I am grateful to know that I can utilize this website for all of this great information. I can post any problem and you all can help. I'm sure I'll have a million more. I really appreciate it because I was truly confused especially when you get such conflicting answers from everyone. So now I have an idea of my direction.

Thanks for the help.

Delightful in Detroit

(Future CRNA)

"SI or bust" ;)

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