ICU for CRNA.

[indiawhitaker]

Can I work in any ICU setting to become a CRNA?

I know working in an ICU setting is required.

But, which one?

[ukstudent]

Please don't do the minimum required for CRNA school. Please stay in the ICU until you have a full understanding of hemodynamics and how the multiple drugs effect it.

As to what type, call the various schools that you are interested in and ask them if they have any preference.

[Annony RN]

What UKstudent said...

Sorry, I was going to add a lot more but then I looked at your post history. Do a LOT of research to see if this is what you want to do. Sure, the pays is good but the work is tough and highly specialized. Requirements to get in are stringent and many qualified applicants are turned away. You have to really, really want to do that type of work. Do you really want to do ICU nursing? Pick any type of ICU that appeals to you and learn to care for the most complex, busy, sick patients. If you still have a desire to learn and do more... save up your pennies for tuition and daily bills while you are unable to work and start looking into schools.

[Annony RN]

My previous post was probably more catty than I meant it to be... but I stand by what I said.

I just mean this... 2 months ago you wanted to be a peds nurse and last month ER was for you... That's actually awesome and I think it's great that you are excited about nursing and the possiblities. When I started nursing school I wanted to do NICU or ER. Hated the thought of OR or peds (areas friends were considering) Halfway through I started liking OR but really wanted psych- maybe as an NP.

When I graduated I applied for ICU and maternity, my 2 new loves. Neither would hire new grads so I ended up in peds and loved it... then OR and learned a lot- including how much I missed critical care, LOL. So now it's ICU for me. Hopefully, in the future I'll get my ducks in a row and go on to CRNA but I have so much to learn first. And I have enough CRNA friends to know what kind of rigorous education I'm in for.

Nursing is great... keep your goals in mind and set your aims high but keep an open mind and wait to see what you like before over researching or micro managing yourself!

I know, I know... if you're like me you want someone o hand you detailed photos of your future... what it will be like, what you will see, and experience! I'm like that with everything (from nursing to vacation) that I do.