? about ICU preceptors..

Nesher, BSN, RN · Mar 2, 2005

Nothing wrong with honesty - might depend on the person however...plus timing is everything.

Pete495 · Mar 2, 2005

I agree with the above poster. Timing and knowing the people around you are everything. When I was asked what my long term goals were in my CVSU interview, I mentioned possibly going to CRNA school some day. Then again, I felt pretty comfortable with the people I interviewed with because I knew them very well already. Get to know the people you think you will need recommendations from, and get involved with these people if you can. If you show you're a great nurse with good skills, that should be all that matters. I think most managers would want a competent nurse with a good attitude that is goal oriented rather than someone who is incompetent and hangs around for years with no real purpose. It builds strong relationships, and you will get good recommendations, and gain a ton of experience. Let's face it, networking is part of the application process.

Of course, I wouldn't directly say this is just my stop on the way to anesthesia school. In order to do nurse anesthesia, you have to have some interest in critical care nursing, and it is up to you to figure out what you like about it the most, and emphasize that during your interview. For me, it was the constant use of hemodynamics, swans, etc.

Also, I kind of feel if you keep it from them, they will be more upset at the fact that you are leaving, and you were purposefully hiding it. I go with the precept that honesty is the best course, and if they think less of you, then maybe they have a problem, and you shouldn't be there. just my two cents.

David

Kiwi, BSN, RN · Mar 2, 2005

Here's a piece of advice - it totally depends on the individual. This week I interviewed for nursing positions in an Open Heart Unit, MICU, and PICU/Trauma. I disclosed my goal to 2 nurse managers who I felt I developed rapport with. I will tell you that in each interview, I was asked the "where do you see yourself in _ yrs" question. And I was honest. I told them that I wanted to earn a CCRN, master's degree, and then teach. One of the managers said, "I'd be a fool to hire somebody who will just work for a year, then leave. It costs me $40,000 to train a new grad." I told this manager that I was willing to be flexible, and she ended up saying, "If you give me a year and a half, then I will give you my blessing." I'm willing to give and take if I'm going to get a fab orientation.

Some of the nurses are terrible in the ICU. They really don't understand why somebody would "leave nursing" and "become an anesthesiologist" :uhoh3:

Just don't be a dumb%*$ and tell somebody your goal if you think they'd hold it against you. And definitely, don't use critical care as a means to an end.

toobemall · Mar 2, 2005

How do they feel when you start working in ICU and they know your only there because you want to get into CRNA school. Do they feel like theyre wasting their time with you, etc? Did you tell your preceptors about anesthesia school from the beginning or do keep it from them until you put in your app. for school?

As everybody thus far has echoed, I believe you should lay in all on the table at your interview. My current unit had just lost three folks to CRNA school when I applied, so they were looking for some experienced staff to fill the void. I told mgmt I was applying to CRNA school but I would be with them for at least a year. As it turned out, I did not get into my first school of choice so I will end up being there six months longer. I continued to update mgmt as to my status as needed, never keeping them in the dark. They are aware of my impending departure at the end of June and I will probably write my official resignation letter this week.

I think the less surprises the better. Certainly, ICU managers are aware that units are used as stepping stones to things such as CRNA school. What you need to keep in mind is that once you are there, you need to do the job. Mgmt/preceptors will pick up on bad attitudes quick and they and the rest of the staff may very well chew you up for it. As stated in the previous post, you are gonna need some references, and usually one has to come from your immediate supervisor.

Good luck in your pursuit!

blee1 · Mar 3, 2005

Thank you all for your replys, you all have made me look at it from different perspectives which is what I needed, thanks again...

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · Mar 3, 2005

I enrolled in an internship program that requires two years' commitment. I will be a few months short, but I think basically my unit thinks I have worked hard for them and come a long way in the short time I've been with them. I mentioned graduate school vaguely in my interview, and after I had finished the application process I told a few people. My manager knew from the first, of course, because she wrote me a glowing recommendation. When I was admitted my husband called me at work to tell me I had a letter . . . I whooped so loud I probably woke the propofol'd patients! So that made the rounds pretty quickly. I think it's a good time to go. I'm beginning to get bored with the repetitive nature of MICU patients.

So my strategy worked well - put it out as a possibility, then don't say anything while you work hard for a year. Then let it out slowly, in conversation, making sure management hears it from you and not the grapevine.