May be a silly question..does an intermediate unit count as 1 year requirement?

[nuwbee25]

I will be working on a surgical intermediate unit with a ratio of 4 to 1. This may be a silly, obvious question but I am still going to ask!!! Does this count for the critical care requirement? I really do not want to offend anybody by asking this or have someone think I am trying to debate what the requirement should be...so please nobody get mad?!

[indecisiveRN]

No, it has to be ICU. Check with the school you're interested to be sure, but you won't get the experience with vents, drips or other equipment in an intermediate care unit that you will in ICU.

[Savin'Em]

Although I'm not trying to diminish the experience you will get in the IMC, it is DEFINITELY not ICU experience. The IMC will hugely prepare you for work in an ICU, but you need icu experience specifically...or I at least hope you do for whatever schools you are thinking of applying to. Personally, I would not be comfortable starting a CRNA program with only IMC experience. Good luck to you.

[My_brain_hurts]

I don't think it will fill the requirement But to be sure you can look at school websites. Most have a FAQ section that addresses what kinds of units they will consider for experience. Sometimes they even say which units are preferred over others --so you'll know how best to increase your chances of getting in :)

I would recommend finding and ICU because it will make you more attractive to a wider range of schools.

Good luck!