ICU advise please

[hstarrRN]

Hi there! Currently I am in the process of building my application for CRNA school. So far I have taken the GRE, CCRN, and am in the process of taking some classes. I have my BSN, and have been in NICU IV for three years now. I understand that CRNA school will mainly be focused on adult care, so I was thinking it would be very beneficial to gain some adult ICU experience. Does anyone know what kind of ICU experience would provide the best preparation? Surgical, cardiac?

[brookalyn, BSN, RN]

Generally, most people come from surgical, medical, or cardiac ICUs. There are others that qualify for schools, each CRNA program has a list of critical care experience they will accept. Some even take NICU experience.

[hstarrRN]

31 minutes ago, brookalyn said:

Generally, most people come from surgical, medical, or cardiac ICUs. There are others that qualify for schools, each CRNA program has a list of critical care experience they will accept. Some even take NICU experience.

Thanks for the input! I’m thinking I’ll probably aim for either a surgical or cardiac ICU. Yes, the schools that I am looking at will accept NICU applicants, but seeing as our patient population while in school will be mostly centered around adults, I’d rather prepare ahead of time than to be behind before starting!

[brookalyn, BSN, RN]

Just now, hstarrRN said:

Thanks for the input! I’m thinking I’ll probably aim for either a surgical or cardiac ICU. Yes, the schools that I am looking at will accept NICU applicants, but seeing as our patient population while in school will be mostly centered around adults, I’d rather prepare ahead of time than to be behind before starting!

That makes sense to me. I obtained my experience in MICU/SICU mostly and it was awesome. Our patients' problems were almost always multi-system. I felt like this was important because so many patients will come into the OR with multiple co-morbidities. Every specialty has pros. Over three years, I feel like I learned how to care for the "the sickest of the sick". Get into a busy ICU with vents and drips, and learn as much as you can!

[BigPappaCRNA]

Any big, active, busy ICU will be fine. I personally feel surgical trauma is the best, but MICU or CVICU will both work as well, as long as you are getting a nice mix and learning lots. If you have mastered the unit in 6 months, you are simply in the wrong unit.

Good Luck

[FockerCRNA]

Any adult ICU. Check the programs you will be applying to and ask them. NC has 5 schools, PA has 10+ schools. Just get in to a place that has a high pass rate. Also start thinking about how to pay for the loans. you will be 150k in debt all in. Work in the VA as an ICU and have them send you to school on their dime. Good job after at the VA and no debt