how much of a disadvantage?

[blee1]

This is probably quite subjective, but how much does one yr of ICU experience vs. multiple yrs play out in anesthesia school? The reason I ask is that I wanna get in ASAP (i.e. with one yr ICU), but I dont want to play catch up in CRNA school. Im definitely willing to get more experience if necessary. Ill be working in a CVICU at teaching hospital if that helps with the responses...

[MmacFN]

hey TNT

Im not saying that one cannot make up for the lack of experience with alot of extra work, for tests. Im saying that extra work can never replace good experience in a clinical situation. Ive seen this over and over again. Its great to read in a book that a PA can cause vtach but ive seen ppl fumble with this concept in practice just wanting to shock. This is where experience and mentorship makes 100% of the difference.

I believe more experience you have before entering any advanced practice program the easier a time you will have when your not trying to learn both swan waverforms AND insertion.

Can it be done, Sure. Is it harder and therefore increase stress and workload on the student, absolutely.

[London88]

I have to agree with MmcFan and some of the others in that there is no doubt that you can complete CRNA school after one year of ICU . However one year is not enough to learn and sharpen your critical care skills in ICU. One has to distinguish between a technician and a professional in that with training anyone can intubate or put in a line etc. A professional can tell by intuition when the **** is going to hit the fan before it happens. Knowing how to titrate a drip to a desired response. Being able to look at a pt regardless of what the monitor says and knowing that they are going to crash comes from experience from being in the unit for a while which usually cannot be accomplished in one year. Where I work the SICU training is 12 weeks. If you are orienting for 12 weeks learning how to take care of a fresh heart how can you possibly become an expert in eight months?

[MmacFN]

well said london

[Nitecap]

Some students I have worked with that had minimal or poor quality ICU experiece have sturuggled a bit in the OR. Not that they but its just they are a little timid and havent seen alot in their time. Really all just depends on where you work too. Eg. RN working in a moderate but smaller sized CVICU that gets a hrt a week but has 4 yrs exp vs RN that works in huge CVICU that gets 6-7 hrts a week and trained in IABPS, VADS and other devices but only has 1.5 rs exp.

I had 3 yrs of CVICU exp and felt ready, I had worked my way up and took all devices in the unit and all pts admitted there. I also trained 1 GN. But to be honest I can tell you that in many situations I with only 2.5 yrs felt like I was more effective and confident in making descisions and intervening at the right time, even more effectively than some of the 10yr nurses. With goals in place I sought out to learn while many older more experienced nurses stepped back. To reliant on picking up the phone for every little issue that a solid ICU nurses can easy handle. I too believe experience is an impt factor but we must take the quality and not only the quantity of the expereince. I also thing a persons personality and way they project themselves plays a big role in the learning process. The shy non aggressive students get walk over and talked down. The know it alls get put in their place and brought back down. I think you have to be confident and project that you are just as aggressive as everyone in the room. Speakup for yourself yet know when to bit your tongue, bend over and take on for the sake of not getting beat up the next few shifts. Have a good one guys, Im delirious now, the coffee has cleared and this CV anesthesia is just going in one ear and out the other.

[WVUturtle514]

I think it ALL depends on the person. We all know that experience is the best teacher, but there are some people in my program who don't know they're a$$ from a hole in the ground.....and some of those people are the ones with 10+ years of experience! Then there are students in my class who have the minimal 1 year experience and they are doing great in the classroom as well as clinicals. Like you, I too wanted to get my schooling done first before focusing on other things (marriage, kids, etc...) and I'm so glad that I chose to enter the program when I did. I had 1 year of CVICU in a large university hospital and 9 months of ER at a level one trauma center and I will graduate CRNA school when I am 26. I say go for it! Best of luck to you!!!

Tracie :)