ICU Comparisons

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I was just curious if anyone could comment on the types of things you would see in a busy Level 1 Trauma centers CVICU compared to a Military Hospital's CVICU or ICU in general.

I am seriously considering doing Army ROTC and want to make sure I will still get sufficient amount of experiences working in critical care in a military hospital, specifically Army compared to a busy civilian CVICU. My ultimate goal is to become a CRNA. Any comments would be appreciated. Or if I need to be more specific please let me know.

Thank you much!

-Shaun

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
I was just curious if anyone could comment on the types of things you would see in a busy Level 1 Trauma centers CVICU compared to a Military Hospital's CVICU or ICU in general.

I am seriously considering doing Army ROTC and want to make sure I will still get sufficient amount of experiences working in critical care in a military hospital, specifically Army compared to a busy civilian CVICU. My ultimate goal is to become a CRNA. Any comments would be appreciated. Or if I need to be more specific please let me know.

Thank you much!

-Shaun

Shaun - It would depend on the specific Army Medical Center, as well as the specific critical care unit within the particular Army Medical Center. The CRNA criteria for ICU experience involves taking care of Vent patients, as well as the titration of CV pharmacologic IV drips, which can definitely be gained at most Army Medical Centers.

I strongly encourage you to go forward with your Army ROTC inclination. IMHO, it is an outstanding program. I'm certainly very proud of my son, an Army ROTC Cadet at University of Houston [Pre-Med].

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Shaun - It would depend on the specific Army Medical Center, as well as the specific critical care unit within the particular Army Medical Center. The CRNA criteria for ICU experience involves taking care of Vent patients, as well as the titration of CV pharmacologic IV drips, which can definitely be gained at most Army Medical Centers.

I strongly encourage you to go forward with your Army ROTC inclination. IMHO, it is an outstanding program. I'm certainly very proud of my son, an Army ROTC Cadet at University of Houston [Pre-Med].

Thanks for the info! I just wanted to be sure that I would acquire the necessary experience in an Army ICU so that I could go on to the Army's CRNA program. Currently doing pre-req's for my University's BSN program. Hopefully be done soon!

Thanks again!

-Shaun

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
Thanks for the info! I just wanted to be sure that I would acquire the necessary experience in an Army ICU so that I could go on to the Army's CRNA program. Currently doing pre-req's for my University's BSN program. Hopefully be done soon!

Thanks again!

-Shaun

:beer:

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Ortho, & Tele all on one ward!.

Army ROTC is a great program- I just finished going through it for 4 years. Even if you end up deciding it isn't for you, give it a try- it is amazing what you will learn and the skills you will develop.

You said you wanted to become a CRNA- I read the Feb newsletter of the Army Nurse Corps this morning and the latest group to go through the CRNA program with the Army had a 100% pass rate on the exam. Not sure how that compares with the national average for civilian programs, but I am sure it isnt 100% :)

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