LPN - Anesthesia Tech vs Med-Surg Nurse

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I'm in my last semester of LPN school and my eventual goal is to become a CRNA. My plan is to work full-time as an LPN for the next year while I finish an RN bridge program, after which I will complete my bachelor's.

I am aware that I will need ICU experience once I am an RN before I can apply to CRNA school. I'm trying to decide what type of work will benefit me the most during the next year as an LPN. I can get a med-surg job, but only in a rural hospital which will make my commute about an hour each way. Or I can work in a much closer hospital where they employ LPNs as anesthesia techs. Any advice on which will benefit me the most in my pursuit of becoming a CRNA?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Nursing experience will benefit you the most, all being an anesthesia tech will do for you is get you familiar with equipment and stuff. You need nursing experience, not anesthesia tech experience. Get yourself into an ICU and get at least 2 years experience, CCRN and you should be able to apply. Ideally, you should get yourself into a high acuity fast paced ICU. Either way ya got a long way to go, good luck - it's a long tough road and it sucks.

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I know there are degree programs for Anesthesia tech out there. However, most of ny state when I worked as one required little to no experience. It is mostly hands on setting up medical equipment, prepping IVs, and medication. There is a three tier cert which have not seen anyone above a level I. Most of the Level I's in my state worked at Level I trauma hospitals. Do know NYC requires you to be ALS certified.

Definitely get your nursing experience get your RN then work your way as an OR nurse then move on over to CRNA when you get certified is the best route I think.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I worked as an anesthesia tech for four years and as an LPN on Med/Surg/IMC for 1 year before I obtained my RN and started in the ICU. Anesthesia tech experience is great but (at least in my region) sometimes it's challenging to get into an ICU if you are a new grad with no experience. Working as an LPN first gave me some nursing experience that allowed me to move right into the ICU after I graduated. Your first goal is quality ICU experience, so take steps that will lead to that goal.

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