ICU float vs. CTS PACU with chance to cross-train in CTS ICU??

[martini007]

Hi, this is my 1st post-- love reading this forum- very helpful...

I just applied to KUMC's CRNA program (Kansas City)....

I work in a small community ICU- we get a variety of things, but no trauma, no open hearts, you know....

Interviewed at KU med center for Cardio-thoracic surgical ICU- but they only have a full-time opening- & I need to keep my weekend option right now (make too much doing that)-- anyway-- need to get a prn position (1 day/week) in higher acuity ICU...

This is what they do have open-- a prn position in their CTS PACU which is next door to the CTS ICU & they often cross-train to their ICU-- would not directly recover the open hearts though.... or they have a position in their cc float pool (med icu, surg icu, neuro icu, ccu) think that is all. Any recommendations appreciated.

[Summitk2]

As you've already applied to CRNA school, you likely already know what schools are looking for, in terms of experience (swans, vents, titrated gtts), and whether you're already competitive or not... Which job will give you the most exposure to this experience? If the CTSICU is the best place, then I would weigh your priorities and decide whether it's worth it to work full-time there or not (vs. less chance of admission). I would also be prepared to explain your career path and choices you've made at the interview, in terms of your preparation for CRNA school.

[meandragonbrett]

Get into the highest acuity area that you possibly can.

What is the point of having a CTS PACU if they don't recover post-thoracic/vascular pts? What is their caseload that they do recover? And if it's in true PACU fashion, it you wouldn't get as MUCH long term care/maint as you would in a CTICU/CVICU or SICU/TICU.

Get somewhere where you can have swans, art lines, and dopamine, levo, epi, neo, cardizem, amio, dobutamine, etc. on a REGULAR basis.