ICU Experience Required for CRNA School

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Hi

I had a question regarding the ICU experience required for CRNA programs. I wanted to find out if the CRNA programs would consider post ICU patient experience. The kind of facility that takes care of critically ill patients that require long term care . A lot are vented or trached. Do they consider this ICU experience when considering your application?

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Specializes in MICU/SICU.

They are looking for critical-care experience such as Cardiovascular ICU, Medical ICU, Surgical ICU, Trauma ICU, Neuro ICU, etc. Some take Neonatal ICU, Pediatric ICU, Cath lab, ER, or flight experience. I have not heard of a school accepting long term acute care experience.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Not the same acuity level. Not close.

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Thank you for your input @amoLucia and @brookalyn. I recently left a Medical ICU to relocate and was offered the chance to interview with a long term acute care facility so I was curious about this option. However you have confirmed what I was already thinking. I just wanted to be sure I wasn't out of the loop on this matter.

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Specializes in MICU/SICU.
28 minutes ago, nurseL said:

Thank you for your input @amoLucia and @brookalyn. I recently left a Medical ICU to relocate and was offered the chance to interview with a long term acute care facility so I was curious about this option. However you have confirmed what I was already thinking. I just wanted to be sure I wasn't out of the loop on this matter.

Some schools will take “recent” ICU experience, as in you can get out of critical care and do something else, but every school is different on what they mean. I think your chances would be better staying in the ICU ?

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I definitely agree with you on that! I will stick with the ICU maybe try SICU or CVICU. Thank you again for responding with good advice.

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Specializes in CVICU, CCRN.

Hello! I'm currently a first-year CRNA student. I would say the post-ICU/long term experience is not appropriate. The majority of our cohort has CVICU and SICU experience, an occasional Neuro ICU.

For me, I had 2.5 years of MICU/CVICU experience!

Good luck ?

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@chris21sn Yea I heard of a lot of people coming from CV and SICU too. What has been the hardest part about your first year so far if you don't mind me asking?

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Specializes in CVICU, CCRN.
12 hours ago, nurseL said:

@chris21sn Yea I heard of a lot of people coming from CV and SICU too. What has been the hardest part about your first year so far if you don't mind me asking?

Hi my friend! Honestly it hasn’t been too bad. I have had to learn how to prioritize my time, after being out of school for almost 4 years. I wake up at 6 am, I have learned to cook healthy (non heavy) food so that I’m more alert. I read and study from 7 am to 12 am most days. I plan morning, afternoon, and evening walks in between, where I prioritize my goals for that part of the day. We have monthly meetings with the other cohorts telling us our responsibilities. We always have to be aware of the fact that we are lucky to be where we are. I have had to say no to a couple of friends and beach parties. Though a lot of people in my class still work with covid, and are fine. For me, personally I enjoy my free time, my walks with my dog, so I prefer not to work. It’s a grueling program but you can still have break time. I plan ahead usually 2-3 weeks in advance. I’m incredibly thorough, to the point of paranoia. I highlight everything, make flash cards. I always ask questions. A lot of memorization and a lot of papers and projects. But honestly would not dream of giving this up. I’m happy to do all of this. In comparison to being a bedside nurse again. Hard work but incredibly rewarding. I love when people tell my cohort how we are the cream of the crop, and I love meeting other people who are also part of different cohorts. Again, great semester so far — will keep praying it goes this smoothly.

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@chris21sn

Well CONGRATS on getting accepted and thank you very much for sharing your experience. I'm sure it takes a lot of studying as you mention but it will all be worth it in the end. Please keep me updated I would love to hear more about your journey throughout your time in school. You are welcome to email me at [email protected] Thank You! Good Luck!

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Specializes in SRNA.

If CRNA is your goal. Don't take the job.

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@Defibn' Noted! Thank you for that!!?

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