? if I want to become a CRNA where should I begin to work?

[Dragonfly777]

New Grad working a supervisor job at a LTC, but it's part time. This is good because it leaves me plenty of time to get a second job....I would like it to be in a place where the experience will count towards CRNA school. A collegue said that some require at LEAST A YEAR in acute setting not med/surg....so I'm thinking ICU,PCU,PICU OR NICU right? but I wonder does OR/perioperative care count towards the requirement as ICU.

Need help and advise. My set goal is to work and gain experience towards becoming a nurse anesthetist.

[LoveSbux]

Check the programs you're looking at applying to. The big ones around me require at least one year of "strong" ICU experience, and say that OR does not count. I'd say your best bet would be adult ICU (med, surg, trauma, neuro, whatever) then PICU.

Or take whatever you can get your hands on in hospital, med-surg to start if you have to, and work up from there to an ICU. Around here is near impossible to get an ICU job as a new grad.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Agree with PP. In order to prepare for CRNA application, you'll need at least a year of critical care - with very high tech - experience. This means IABP. BIVADS, etc. Not for the faint hearted. Also, remember that you will not be able to work while in CRNA school - so you'll need to be squirreling away as much $ as possible in order to make the plunge.

Best of luck to you.

[Deltaflaze]

I'm working full time as a mobile unit critical care RN (ICU, NICU, ER, IMCU, Heart, etc) and I'm nervous it won't be enough experience. OR will NOT count and PACU most often does not either. Most people who apply have 2+ years of experience. I'm taking a class through a Nurse Anesthesia school now as a Pre-SRNA and my classmates have quite the resumes that are already in the program.

[D.R.A.]

Yep, check the programs you are going to apply for. Most require critical 2+ years critical care, and I don't think OR counts.

[Dragonfly777]

K thanks everyone, I get it they really want anyone to have experience with the most critical and risky skills/procedures done within healthcare facilities. Well, the best way to go about it would be to sign up for a residency into ICU and even then I bet they are looking for the best. Well it's going to be tough, but I'm still going to try and I'll see where I end up. I did apply for a job that that said surgical icu, I'm definitely thinking this will count right? it couldn't get closer to where I'm going to be working with as a CRNA.