Labor and Delivery Experience with ICU for CRNA school?

ckh23, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2012

Your chances are anyones guess. There have been people that have been accepted with only one year. I would recommend you research the schools you want to go to and see what kind requirements they have. Some programs require that you have the one year before you even apply.

stunt362 · Apr 22, 2012

Your L&D experience will not count at all towards the critical care requirements, regardless of the acuity. The requirements are specific in that you need a minimum of 1yr ICU experience (typically adult ICU). Schools usually allow you to apply as long as you will meet the requirements by the time the program starts, but this certainly doesn't guarantee you a spot.

WolfpackRed · Apr 23, 2012

according to the AANA "The requirements for becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) mainly include having a bachelor's degree in nursing (or other appropriate baccalaureate degree), Registered Nurse licensure, a minimum of one year acute care experience (for example, ICU or ER), and the successful completion of both an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program and the national certification examination."

it is left up to the program on defining the acute care experience and other admissions requirements.

gemini81sg · Apr 25, 2012

hokieicurn: Just wondering if you have any additional certifications such as ACLS, PALS, NRP, TNCC, CCRN, etc.? These are things you may want to consider to improve your chances, especially the CCRN. Your place of employment may even pay for these certifications, mine did.

Also, minimal ICU experience is 1 year. This is a requirement to any accredited CRNA program. The ICU experience should involve hemodynamics, vasoactive drips, mechanical ventilation and so forth. Many of the programs list very specific requirements they are seeking from their applicants, but you can always call and speak with the program director to get a feel for what they require and prefer in their applicants. This should give you a good idea as to whether to spend the time, energy and money applying.

Good luck! :)

hokieicurn · Apr 26, 2012

I have ACLS, PALS, NRP certifications as well as being certified in High risk inpatient obstetrics and electronic fetal monitoring (I know probably not relevant but they are difficult exams to pass). I am taking my CCRN exam in 2 weeks now that I have learned my OB experience counts towards the hour requirment.

I understand that I need a year of ICU experience, hence I am in an ICU. The ICU I work in is large with a lot going on. I have 2 ventilated patients on different drips every shift. I am gaining amazing experience with monitors and drips that I know will benefit me down the road.

My Labor and Delivery experience also gave me excellent experience managing patients with regional anesthesia. I know this is experience that most CRNA applicants do not have.

I understand that people say you need more than a year ICU experience BUT I am curious as to what people have to say about that experience coming from a different background that is still VERY relevant to the field of anesthesia. In my time as a L and D RN I have learned amazing critical thinking skills. All I'm saying, is that even though I only have a year of ICU experience there's no way you can compare my bedside nursing skills and management of critically ill patients to that of someone who only has 1 year TOTAL of nursing experience in an ICU.

Does anyone have any idea how an admissions board would view this? In my experience I feel like the world of health care has little respect for labor and delivery nurses and really doesnt understand what they do and what they are capable of.

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Apr 28, 2012

from everything I have read at school websites and on this board and other boards-it is the quality of ICU experience, not the quantity that has meaning. the hemodynamic assessment, invasive lines, interpreting all of that-along with managing many vasoactive drips, is what they are looking for. So yes your ob experience means something, but not at the daily grind of what you many be doing in the OR for school. Many people get in while still completing their 1 year requirement, as the one year is finished before school actually starts.

call the school and ask-they will probably give you great info.

otherwise, apply! and good luck!

allnurses Guide · Apr 28, 2012

I know of one CRNA that had only high risk OB before going to nurse anesthesia school. He is actually now an NA instructor, and also has his PhD in neuroscience (he got the PhD after becoming a CRNA). I am friends with another CRNA that had OB experience, and then went to ICU before going to NA school. OB experience is relevant, but that doesn't mean the school(s) will see it that way. I think it is simple matter for most schools to have the vast majority of students with similar backgrounds that way they can just tailor their program to that set background of experience.