Icu + Ccrn

Hey Annie,

I am also a CRNA hopeful. I am getting everything together right now to turn in my applications this fall. When I interviewed for the ICU they asked what my 5 year goal was and I told them I would be going back to school. My manager is very used to this response. I don't know about all NM's but I would think that they must assume that at least some of the people they will hire will move on at some point. I would just be honest about your plans because you are going to have to ask your NM for a reference and you want it to be a good one! :)

As for the CCRN, it is a 150 question test. No one asked me why I am taking it because a lot of people on my unit take it just to have it. My unit really encourages everyone to get it. You can't take the CCRN until you have worked a certain # of ICU hours so you will have been there for a while at that point anyways and hopefullly people won't care. It seems to me from what I have seen on my unit that people look down on those going off to CRNA school when they have only been there for their one year of ICU experience. People were very open to the idea of one person going that had been on the unit for 3 years but not so nice about it to another who had only been there for one and a half years. Either way, you don't even have to tell anyone that you are taking it if you don't want to. You can check the AACN website for more info on the CCRN exam.

I would get all certifications that you can. I am not required to get PALS on my unit but I did for the application. Anything else will be helpful as well like ATCN or TNCC. Volunteer work and shadowing a CRNA also looks good. As far as committees go, if you are on any during nursing school that will look good and the ICU you work on will have some as well. I am on the education committee for my unit. I think they just want to see that you get involved. Hope this all helps.

Way to go on deciding what you want to do early on and preparing for it now! Good luck.

One local recruiter specifically told a friend of mine that mentioning CRNA aspirations during an interview is the "kiss of death" for your application. I've mentioned it to a couple of my instructors and have yet to receive a positive response from them. Many nurses, at least where I live, seem kind of biased against people who plan to leave the bedside before we even get there. When I do get an interview for an ICU position, my response to any questions about a 5 year plan would only include that right now I'm focused on becoming the best ICU nurse that I can be. I might mention that I could see myself furthering my education some day, but I'd probably say that I wasn't sure yet what for. That's true, I'm not there yet and I can't guarantee that life circumstances will allow me to apply to CRNA school once I have the requisite experience. I'd be careful who you mention it to - maybe see if other people on your eventual unit volunteer that they're thinking about applying as well.

One local recruiter specifically told a friend of mine that mentioning CRNA aspirations during an interview is the "kiss of death" for your application. I've mentioned it to a couple of my instructors and have yet to receive a positive response from them. Many nurses, at least where I live, seem kind of biased against people who plan to leave the bedside before we even get there. When I do get an interview for an ICU position, my response to any questions about a 5 year plan would only include that right now I'm focused on becoming the best ICU nurse that I can be. I might mention that I could see myself furthering my education some day, but I'd probably say that I wasn't sure yet what for. That's true, I'm not there yet and I can't guarantee that life circumstances will allow me to apply to CRNA school once I have the requisite experience. I'd be careful who you mention it to - maybe see if other people on your eventual unit volunteer that they're thinking about applying as well.

I agree, keep your cards close to your vest. Being vague about your career aspirations is the best policy. While some may support you, most, will discourage you, and when you get accepted will be jealous.

yes, what ever you do, do not tell them you want to go to school for CRNA. that is a sure no deal about getting into the icu. or most places anyways. two people in our stepdown both got turned down for our icu, becuase their manager told our manager that they want to go to crna school. they made a bs reason for not accepting them.

if you want to tell them something tell them you want to do CNS or something and tell them how you want to join all the committes and all the BS, they will like that :chuckle

i wouldnt even mention anything to anyone about the ccrn, just take it and after passing it tell them haha.

anyways, good luck

tony

Thanks! And what did you mean by saying CNS? Were you referring to Central Nervous System? I couldn't think of anything else.

Now I definitely won't tell the ICU manager I'm going for CRNA :)