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Discussion

ICU experience vs Residency program

Hi all,

I have started my first nursing job in an ICR level unit in a trauma 1 hospital. My ultimate goal is to get into a CRNA program and so I know my next move is to make my way into an ICU. The problem that I have is that since this is my first job I am automatically in a nurse residency program, which will be a great addition to my resume, however; if I leave my job for an ICU position at another hospital I will lose my residency program. So now im trying to weigh out the best choice for me as far as getting into crna program, do I stick it out and finish the residency program and then have less ICU time under my belt at the time of application or do I take the first ICU opportunity I can get in order to have more experience when I apply?

Please give me your advice!!!

Thanks

Taryn

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    finish your residency. I assume you can not transfer into the ICU until that is finished.How long is the residency? 6 months? If you are leaving a job that short out of school, the next job may not view that very favorably. Learn all you can now, change jobs/transfer, work in the ICU for a few years, then apply. You do not want to be inexperienced when you apply, or even if you get in with little experience. The school and clinical sites expect you to have a certain level of knowledge, which you acquire in your ICU experience and self study - as well as classes, etc that you do on your own.

    Good luck!

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    • Author

    the residency program is a year, I think you are right, im just feeling very anxious and excited to start my journey toward becoming a CRNA so I guess I was jumping the gun a little. thanks so much for the advice!

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    I know it's exciting and hard to think there is a process. You will be so overwhelmed when you start in the ICU you will see how much there is to learn, that it might be a natural thing for you to delay and not do the 'one year' experience application. Just be a sponge and learn as much as you can!

    Good luck!

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    I was in a residency program while in ICU. I didn't think residency was so helpful. I'd take the ICU job. You'll get a lot of training and classes for ICU

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    It looks horrible to just up and leave the residency, so tough it out for 12 months. As that year grows closer, start looking for an ICU job.

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    • Author

    thanks everyone for your input... I think I will end up sticking it out in the residency program... im not sure I would even be able to get into an ICU sooner than a year anyway

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