ICU Experience

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

Hello all,

Just curious, do CRNA programs look for certain ICU experience or will any ICU experience suffice?

[-AO-]

Certain ICU experience ...

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

As in do they prefer SICU over say neuro ICU or MICU? Or does it not matter?

[CRNA, DNSc]

Hello all,

Just curious, do CRNA programs look for certain ICU experience or will any ICU experience suffice?

Lines, Drips, and acutely ill patients are what they want-in other words, experience in these is more important than the name of the ICU

[BHRN85]

I have been researching this as well, emailing some programs, and checking out applications. Any adult ICU experience is acceptable, but it seems like SICU or CVICU/CTICU is preferred by most. However, most school's applications have a section where you can describe your unit and your experience. Even if your unit is not a SICU or CVICU if you have listed experiences that they are impressed by, then it doesn't matter. I'm in a neuro ICU and its the only unit I've ever worked in. But I get a lot of trauma patients (and its a level 1 trauma center, schools seem to like that). I emailed the admissions director of the school I am most interested in and she said my experience was enough to be considered really good/better than average. Hope that helps.