Need some advice!!!

Many programs require that you have your ICU experience within 2 years of application. Some accept ED experience & some don't. It also can depend on the level of ED (trauma level I vs no-level small ED). Just like in ICU the acuity of the unit u work in really counts. If u really want CRNA u should look at finding an ICU that is more suitable for you because you really, really need the vent, gtts, hemodynamic, etc. experience that you are only going to get in ICU (I know cuz I've worked in a level I ED and the experience was just plain lacking in these areas). I would talk to the schools u are going to apply to & 1) find out if they accept ER experience at all, 2) find out how many years ICU they want & how recent, 3) any other recommendations they have (many require u have the CCRN, which will require u to be working FT at bedside in ICU to take). Start from there & you will know better how to plan your future. Good luck!

JKW. I would much rather be in the ED, but I'm here in ICU because it was required to get into CRNA school. I can't say that I care for the long term nurse-pt relationships(some are better than others), but hey I'm down to my last 3 months. Actually, I have less than 3 months of bedside nursing to go. The moral of the story is, you do what you have to...by any means necessary. Find a unit that you like and suck it up(no offense.) That is, if you really want to be a CRNA. Good luck...

Army

I did 5 years of ICU in multiple states before moving on to ER 4 years ago. For the last 2 years I am at this very crazy Level I trauma center in Los Angeles. I do many vents and drips here and learning tons! Several schools accepted my application since I had ICU experience. But yes, you do need solid ICU experience to apply to the CRNA programs. Good luck to you!

I did 5 years of ICU in multiple states before moving on to ER 4 years ago. For the last 2 years I am at this very crazy Level I trauma center in Los Angeles. I do many vents and drips here and learning tons! Several schools accepted my application since I had ICU experience. But yes, you do need solid ICU experience to apply to the CRNA programs. Good luck to you!

Perfect example! Yes, you are in a high level ED where you still get to work with vents, gtts, etc. Acuity is a big key in this.

I have not been admitted to school yet (waiting for interviews) but just thought I would comment on the idea that the hospital you come from must be Level I and ultra high acuity...while those things are great, that is not what I was told by TWO program directors. Obviously, you need to ask the program you plan to attend. Anyway, this is a direct quote from an email I received from the PD of the program I plan (hope) to attend this fall...I ask him if I should take a job at a Level I TC SICU or a smaller hospital with a 23 bed general ICU. This was the response:

"It sounds like you have a great plan. You can choose the ICU setting that

best fits your life. There is no bad choice. Your profile is quite

competitive."

The other school I visited said about the same thing. Again, other people may have different experience with other programs, but this was mine!

May

May has a good point in that every individual has different strengths that help them to get in. Not everyone can work in a high acuity setting. However, having been through the oral interviews, I can tell you that the questions are very, very, very intense and refer to very high acuity situations. If you are in an environment where you are not being exposed to this level of acuity it's a good idea to review high acuity case studies, etc. to prepare. I promise you that where you work, the experience you gain there, and your level of knowledge in relation to critical thinking in high acuity situations are huge factors in how well you do with oral interviews.

Ok, so I totally didn't like working in the ICU. I worked there for a 1 and 1/2, but I didn't really like the co-workers and the whole environment. I did the work and did it well, but the environment just wasn't for me. I guess I don't do well with long-term patient relationships. I am actually working in the emergency department, an environment I actually love. How will this affect me in applying to CRNA programs. I just transferred this Jan. and plan on applying to schools with deadlines in August and September. Thanks ahead for your answers.

I feel your pain, because I started out in the ED, then went to flight nursing (which I absolutely loved). Although I loved flying, my coworkers, and the autonomy---I knew that I would have a greater chance getting accepted if I went to the ICU. So, I bit the bullet and did my year in the ICU, gave up my great coworkers and almost all of my autonomy! But, in the end, it was worth it because I got in to TCU this fall. If you are a true emergency nurse, it's likely you won't enjoy the ICU environment. Although, I have to admit I learned alot of things working in the ICU that I would've never learned in the ER. Just my . Hope this helps. Good luck in applying for next year.

Pedsccrn:bbykck: