ICU Skills checklist as part of my resume?

louloubell1 · Jul 8, 2006

Hi, Steve.

I can understand that you feel your experience has been significant and should count. JMHO here, but if the school you are most interested in attending is directing you in a certain way, you would do well to head that direction. Otherwise, maybe you should look at some other programs that will consider your experience as is without requiring some adult ICU time.

Best of luck to you whatever you decide to do!

Lou

WVUturtle514 · Jul 8, 2006

I agree with the above post. If the school is willing to accept you with only NICU/PICU experience and they are just "recommending" that you get some adult ICU experience, then that is one thing. But if this is your top choice school and they are "telling" you that you need adult ICU experience, you better believe that I would be knocking down people's doors to get into an adult ICU asap. And just as an anectodal story.....I know a couple of people who started CRNA school with only PICU experience and they feel much further behind in the clinical arena than those students with a solid adult ICU background. Not saying that everyone is like that, but just remember that the vast majority of our cases are adults, not children. Best of luck in whatever you choose!!! :)

Focker, CRNA · Jul 8, 2006

You can apply to a new position in an adult ICU, and if you tell them up front that you are applying to CRNA school, what have you got to feel guilty about if they still hire you?

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Jul 8, 2006

Thanks for the replies!

The school I'm applying to requires "2 years of critical care experience." The recruiter said that while my experience fulfills that requirement (and they do "accept" NICU/PICU) she recommended that I go to adult ICU. So I think I'll just apply and hope my GPA etc... balances that out.

Stevern21

Brian_SRNA · Jul 10, 2006

Just my 2 cents, and you can give me change back if you want too! I agree with the other posts that if the school is telling you it would increase your canidacy(Word?), then you should jump at it. Sometimes we do things that are not exactly what we want, in order to get exactly where we want. Get it?

In response to your comments :"SO..... I'm planning on submitting an additional page with my required resume, listing my clinical skills in relation to vents, drips, etc.... I get the feeling that most people think that all we do in NICU is rock and feed babies all shift. While I do enjoy bottle feeding and rocking the occasional baby :>) I have pretty much the same knowledge base as an adult ICU RN when it comes to vents, pressor/inotrope drips, chest tubes, broviac/subclavian lines, PICCs, meds and codes. I'm hoping if I spell it out, I'll get some credit for it. What dou you all think? Anyone tried it?"

I could not disagree more, JMHO, Drips/ vent management codes are so different from kids to adults. Hence PALS and ACLS, Vent management with different protective lung strategies, dosages on medications are not similar at all. I find it concerning that you feel PICU NICU would make you qualified as an Adult ICU nurse. Disease states and trauma, metabolic disorders and self inflicted emmotional states of premies and their parents are not related to a 15 y/o GSW, or 82 COPD on a vent with grand kids. Do they even float swans in premies or children?. Are their calcualted constants similar for SVO2 and wedge measurements? Like I said JMHO. In order to get where you want you nay just have to bite the bullet and do it. best of luck with school. keep us posted. Where are you applying to?

Brian

japaho41 · Jul 11, 2006

Your clear advantange here is that you have a comfort level with a population that most of us have never had the experience of taking care of beyond nursing school. Some of us taking care of babies may cause us great anxiety, like myself. However, in the world of surgery the majority of your cases are on adults. I suggest that if you are unwilling to leave your current job 1) Broaden you horizons on other programs. I know I was surprise to read the profiles on the experience of those admitted to Wake Forest Anesthesia program. 2) Try to get a travel position in the ICU this way you will not have to deal with the fact of starting a new position and leaving in 8 months. 3) Put off going to school until you give them what they want because you will work harder and most likely get no where at convincing a program director that your experience in NICU/PICU is superior or equates to that of the CVICU/SICU. 4) Don't tell them you plan, most units have experienced training someone that leaves prior to one year. This is about your career not about being the nice guy and doing the right thing. Be selfish, they will get over it and maybe even agree with your strategic plan to accomplish your goals.

BeatOU · Jul 12, 2006

Steve,

I applaud your sense of honor in this situation. I do think this is a major flaw in the CRNA education system, namely, if you want to be a CRNA ASAP, you have to pretty much break Ole Man Kant's categorical imperative of not using a ICU unit as a means to an end.

See the way I see it, it's the schools fault for requiring that year of experience. Now i know we're better off for the icu experience, but wouldnt an Anesthesiologist also be better off with being an ICU RN for a year before starting med school? If anyone says no, I'd sure like them to explain that to me. Lawyers don't have to be a paralegal before starting lawschool. Engineers don't have to be mechanics before engineering school, and dentists don't have to be dental hygenists before starting dental school. Yea each of these might be better off if they had to do these things, but they don't.

What amazed me was the number of schools that were surprised to hear from me that my manager wouldn't write me a letter of rec because I had only been on the unit 8 months and he was bitter I was leaving so soon after starting. I couldn't blame him.

good luck

grnmtngirl · Jul 12, 2006

Crazy idea here from a student... but would your ICU float pool allow you to pick up 1 additional shift each week with them? That way you can keep your current job but get experience in an Adult ICU. Is that a possibility?

millkay · Jul 14, 2006

While we've strayed to the subject, anything the school recommends that you do, you need to do. Otherwise you tell them that your are not willing to do whatever it takes to get into the program. Last year I made a good GRE score, got an interview, but didn't get in. For the next year's application they suggested I take the GRE again to be a better candidate. You can bet that I'll be taking that aweful test again. Whatever they want me to do, I'll do! :monkeydance: The suggestions are made as a courtesy and you should take them seriously. Once again, just my opinion. Good luck with your application process!

Brian_SRNA · Jul 16, 2006

I must agree with the previous post. If the ultimate goal is be a CRNA, then one must do WHATEVER it takes. Which may not be what you want to do. Just my two cents. But whatever gets you in the program. But please take their recommendations seriously, it is for your own good.

Brian