ICU experience: full or part time?

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Hi everybody,

Just joined the forum after a few weeks of browsing in it. I must say I am extremely grateful for all the posts in this forum - they have been very helpful in my pursuit of becoming a CRNA.

Quick question, I graduated in May last year and got into a peds/med surg floor. I am currently trying to get into an ICU, and its proving more difficult than I imagined it would be. So far I have been offered a part time ICU job, 24 hours a week on days, or full time nights. Nights kill me. I was wondering, do I go ahead and take the part time job as I wait for a full time job in the ICU or do I continue working on my current floor as I wait for a fulll time job to open up? I would really like to start getting my ICU experience ASAP so that I can apply. Does it matter if the experience is full or part time?

All suggestions will be highly appreciated.

Thanks!

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Have you thought about working part time days in the ICU until a full time day position opens up?? I think the sooner you get in, the better. Schools do ask your supervisor (clinical lead or whatever you call them in you institution) to fill out if you work full or part time, but, better to have some ICU experience sooner rather than later. Also, the schools I applied to did not ask the manager to fill out if I ever worked part time in the ICU, just if I'm currently working full or part time. Sometimes, magically, positions open up once you've been on a unit for a little while and the staff gets to know you.

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californianurse,

Thank you for the reply. I think I willl go ahead and take the part time ICU job for now. Thanks for letting me know all the schools ask for is your status as at application time. Hopefully by then I will be fulltime. Only down side is i will be forced to quit a full time job at my hospital for a part time job at another, hopefully it pays off someday.

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serengeti,

Would you be able to do part time in both positions until a full time ICU spot opens up for you? Working ICU and becoming a CRNA will undoubtedly be worth it. You may want to ask Quigly (check spelling) in the CRNA forum before quitting your job. He seems to have a lot of great experience and sound advice. Another thought is that while you're working part time, spend the remaining time studying for the GRE and researching what schools you might want to apply to. In this way, you'll be furthering yourself towards your goal of becoming a CRNA.

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californianurse,

Thanks so much for your great advice. I start part-time in the ICU next week and I will keep the other job part-time too. I have also started looking over the prep material for the GRE. Thanks again so much. Really appreciate it,

serengeti.

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californianurse,

Thanks so much for the great advice. I start in the ICU next week part-time and will keep the other job part-time too. I have also started looking over GRE prep material. Thanks so much again, Serengeti.

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Serengeti,

Nice! Glad to hear things are working out. Enjoy Valentine's Day!! :icon_hug:

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