Neuro ICU to CRNA

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Hey everyone! Just wanted to let u know I just got accepted to the TCU anesthesia program. As a Neuro ICU nurse a lot of people kept telling me I ought to work CVICU or MICU to get more cardiac experience in order to get in. Well, I didn't do that. I stuck with neuro and despite what everyone told me, managed to get accepted! So for those of u thinking about it, it is very possible for a neuro nurse to get accepted!

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Specializes in none.

Congrats! That's good to know because I am headed down the same career path. I love neuro right now and don't want to change but my main goal has always been to become a CRNA. Again, KUDOS!

matt

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Specializes in Author/Business Coach.

Same here! I love Neuro and hope it plus my year plus of traveling to various ICU's will be enough.

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Sorry, I'm also looking at that degree path and I just got hired as a NTICU nurse (YEAH!) I'm a ways off from applying for CRNA program but...I worry about the grade point averages. Not that mine is low, 3.46 but...I know it's not high like everyones that I've heard of. Do they take into consideration, family and working while in school when they look at GPA?? What was your GPA??

Any, congratulations to getting in!!

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Schools take in to account the whole picture. For example, the last 60 hours of school count the most as well as your science grades. If you feel that these are too low you might consider retaking some of them. Also, if your GPA is not as competitive then you need to make yourself more competitive in other areas. The more ICU experience you have works in your favor, as well as the level of that ICU. In other words, a level I trauma center will be more helpful than a small ICU where you aren't exposed to Swans, vents, gtts, ventrics, etc. Also, having your CCRN is a big kudo whether or not the school you applied to requires it. And many schools (TCU did) want to see your CCRN score, so do the best you can on it. I also am a CNRN, and once you are a neuro ICU nurse for 2 years you can sit for this certification also. I wish you luck! Just be prepared because it's very, very competitive out there!

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Congrats, and that's so great to hear! Neuro ICU was my favorite rotation in med-surg (spent 5 days of my critical care rotation there, by choice) and it's where I chose to precept. I'm loving my preceptorship so far, and it's where I'd love to work, and where I've applied so far. However, I also plan to apply to CRNA programs in a few years. The director of my first choice program highly recommended working in the CTICU for at least a year at a level I - and there is only one in this area. I know that would also be a great experience, but I don't feel like I should have only one choice of tracks for the next few to several years. It's great to hear someone else who loves neuro getting in. Wish me luck!

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Congrats, and that's so great to hear! Neuro ICU was my favorite rotation in med-surg (spent 5 days of my critical care rotation there, by choice) and it's where I chose to precept. I'm loving my preceptorship so far, and it's where I'd love to work, and where I've applied so far. However, I also plan to apply to CRNA programs in a few years. The director of my first choice program highly recommended working in the CTICU for at least a year at a level I - and there is only one in this area. I know that would also be a great experience, but I don't feel like I should have only one choice of tracks for the next few to several years. It's great to hear someone else who loves neuro getting in. Wish me luck!

Yeah, u always here that cardiac is the best place to work. Blah, blah, blah.....:yawn: So boring to me. I've had several cardiac nurses say they hate neuro cuz the pt's change so fast. Yep, as a neuro ICU nurse your assessment skills will be spot on! You should work there if it's what you want. Just make sure you get the skills u need, so if that unit isn't big on hemodynamic monitoring, gtts, etc.then look for a neuro unit with higher acuity. The program director at TCU is an ex neuro-ICU nurse! :yeah:She is awesome!

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If I get hired by the hospital I'm at right now, I'm not worried about the acuity. They're having some budgetary issues at the moment, so I may have to start on a M-S floor and apply to transfer in 6 months or so. I'm starting to think that might be worth it, rather than starting directly in neuro ICU somewhere with lower acuity and and maybe no real trauma pts - and having to sign a two year contract without having ever worked a day in that hospital.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Day Surgery, ICU.

Congratulations!!!!

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Hey hey neurogeek....be nice to the lil heart nurses.....

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Hey hey neurogeek....be nice to the lil heart nurses.....

No offense. Most CV nurses tell me how much they hate neuro. Each to their own....but hey, you can transplant a heart but not a brain...that's all I have to say.....

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What's the TCU anaesthesia program ? Is it like a nurse-come-anaesthetist ?

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