Specialties CRNA
Published Sep 22, 2009
jorbir73
4 Posts
I have some questions regarding the requirements to get into CRNA program.
Do we need one year of ICU experience only or would CCU experience be considered? Do we need CVICU only or any thing else (like CCU) would be acceptable as well?
regards
Jor
MissBrittanyRN
246 Posts
Probably varies by program, but the program brochure from Georgetown University (well ranked program) as part of their admissions states "A minimun of one year of professional nursing experience in Critical Care (Surgical Intensive Care is preferred.) " And I have read somewhere else on allnurses that surgical intensive care is preferred by certain schools, but I don't recall which schools.
PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN
2,211 Posts
CCU: You will get very sick cardiac patients. Some on transvenous pacers, intra-aortic balloon pump, Post STEMI, cardiac angios, lots of vasopressors, antihypertensives, lots of IV drugs like betablockers, angiotensin inhibitors, etc.,
CVICU: Recovery of post hearts, AAAs, fempops (could be in CCU only too)--some areas have transplants, lots of drips, lots of fluid managements. My favorite area. Sometimes CCU and CVICU overlap.
I love CVICU the best because of the autonomy that comes with the area--especially if you have protocols to follow. It can be recipe/cookbook style recovery--but you will have days when things happen and patients end up on LVADS/BIVADS until transplantation is avail.
This area requires astute critical thinking, excellent math skills, as well as the ability to interpret and intervene STAT. This area is not for the weak nurse.
blondielocks
108 Posts
From what I have read, as I am interested in going to CRNA school as well, it varies from program to program what they require. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you'd want to get the specifics for the different programs you would be applying to because they require different things.
ukstudent
805 Posts
You should ask the different schools that you are interested in what their preference is. I know that we have had several nurses come from the CCU to the SICU in order to get more experence for CRNA school. They then stay a year or so and leave.
natbug
74 Posts
Hi, I recently was accepted to a CRNA program and I had 2 years CCU experience. Just make sure that whatever unit you decide on uses PA catheters, ventilatiors, and vasoactive drips. Clinical questions asked in my interview were cardiac related. Also, cardiac has the biggest percentage of questions on the CCRN exam.