ICU experience for CRNA

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  1. Which one?

    • 7
      Methodist Charlton ICU
    • 2
      Parkland Neuro ICU

9 members have participated

Hellos everyone, I will graduate nursing school soon and have received 2 job offers for ICU and I need help to decide which one will make me a more COMPETITIVE CANDIDATE. One is Methodist charlton, new 32 bed ICU, high acuity, no transplant no trauma, 300 bed hospital, second busiest ER in Dallas, no contract. Other is Parkland Neuro ICU, 12 beds with 18 progressive care beds, 900 bed hospital, 3 year contract, not sure if I can transfer to another unit during that contract, lvl 1 trauma, new unit opened up last year. Any insight is much appreciated.

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Specializes in ICU.

Probably the last one, because level 1 trauma. What's the penalty if you break the contract a year early (should you get into school)?

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Probably the last one, because level 1 trauma. What's the penalty if you break the contract a year early (should you get into school)?

20k. But if I get accepted I wouldn't care. It's abt getting in

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I'd personally take the first one. Contracts make me uncomfortable.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to SRNA forum

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20k. But if I get accepted I wouldn't care. It's abt getting in

Bad idea.

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Specializes in ICU.
20k. But if I get accepted I wouldn't care. It's abt getting in

Ouch, that's a lot of $$

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Although not in CRNA school yet, I personally would take the 32 bed high acuity ICU (what patient population? Is jt a general ICU?) I have been told from a few Neuro ICU nurses that they wish that they would have had more exposure before CRNA because it is one of the most specific types of units... Study harder for some concepts others had already known who have worked other units (swans, cardiac physio, etc). Obviously doesn't make a difference if you can get in, just speaking on what others have told me. Those people are doing just fine and succeeding, so take it with a grain of salt.. Just passing the information along..

Take the unit you can get the widest variety and highest acuity.. That will give you your best experience. And that is what the different program directors from schools I have spoken with recommended to me when I was searching for another job to get into CRNA school. You could also email the school of your choice and already express interest and see what they prefer in their applicants if you have the time?? I know of one girl who did that before she even passed her boards..

Plus, I don't like contracts (at all). Would you be able to get a good letter of reference from that hospital/manager if your contract terminates early? Maybe not.

Sorry typing on my phone if anything doesn't make sense/any typos! Haha

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Probably the last one, because level 1 trauma. What's the penalty if you break the contract a year early (should you get into school)?

Level 1 trauma is not a prerequisite for CRNA school. I have never worked in one and got accepted just fine.

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Got to the medical ICU and then get your ccrn. I'm currently applying to CRNA schools and currently have 3 interviews, still waiting on a couple of schools to get back to me. I've never worked ICU at a lvl 1 hospital. Good GPA, good GRE scores, ccrn should get you an acceptance to somewhere.

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Specializes in ICU.
Level 1 trauma is not a prerequisite for CRNA school. I have never worked in one and got accepted just fine.

I know this, but it definitely helps with the acuity of patients you get (especially in neuro ICU), which is helpful for CRNA school :)

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Specializes in ICU.

Really OP, either ICU will be fine. That contract is a little scary sounding. I think mine was only $5k for 2 years and I'm breaking a month early, but it's prorated (so only like $200, not bad). $20k would be way too much for me, personally.

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