New grad offer; wanting CRNA

[moonCat, BSN, RN]

Hello!!
Goal is to be a CRNA asap! (Thinking about applying at 2yr's) I have been offered a new grad residency position in the ICU as a relief nurse where I will be cross trained in Neuro ICU, CCU, Trauma & Medical ICU. Is this a good position for CRNA exp? I believe the pt acuity will always be high acuity bc it is the only Lv1 trauma center in a big radius. Should I finish the new grad program for a year then transfer to a specific unit or stay here? Total new grad residency cross training will last a year then they offer a fellowship program after if I would like where I will further specialize &  be trained for more leadership roles.
TIA!!

[RNgilly, BSN, RN]

That sounds like an awesome opportunity! As long as the patients you will be caring for are high acuity. I think it gives great coverage across specialties where you can learn/practice essential skills. 

As far as transferring/staying goes, that depends on your experience. If it were me I would probably specialize to a unit with the most critical patients and take on those leadership roles you mentioned and make yourself a more well rounded applicant.

Good luck!

[moonCat, BSN, RN]

RNgilly said:

That sounds like an awesome opportunity! As long as the patients you will be caring for are high acuity. I think it gives great coverage across specialties where you can learn/practice essential skills. 

As far as transferring/staying goes, that depends on your experience. If it were me I would probably specialize to a unit with the most critical patients and take on those leadership roles you mentioned and make yourself a more well rounded applicant.

Good luck!

OMG thank you!! I needed this! I've read many post & ppl keep telling me that as float pool I won't be getting the most critical patients & that I should look elsewhere for a specific ICU staff position. Im just out of options, I've been offered PCU & MS but I feel that will push my CRNA journey back even more! Do you think Float ICU would be good enough for me? Also, after a year do u think I'll be able to choose a unit such as CVICU/CICU for more intense experience? 

[RNgilly, BSN, RN]

moonCat said:

OMG thank you!! I needed this! I've read many post & ppl keep telling me that as float pool I won't be getting the most critical patients & that I should look elsewhere for a specific ICU staff position. Im just out of options, I've been offered PCU & MS but I feel that will push my CRNA journey back even more! Do you think Float ICU would be good enough for me? Also, after a year do u think I'll be able to choose a unit such as CVICU/CICU for more intense experience? 

I think you should def take the float ICU over PCU/MS. If you apply to another ICU and get an offer, then you can pick between the two. True, you probably won't get the MOST critical pts as a ICU float nurse, but the floats that come to my unit still get pts w invasive lines, vent, drips etc that you will need exposure to. They don't admit fresh post op pts or get devices, or the really sick peeps. I think if you float to a unit you particularly enjoy, reach out to management and form a relationship with them. See if you can spend a day shadowing one of their nurses and express interest in transitioning over! Pick up shifts on the unit, whatever it takes to get your foot in the door :) 

[moonCat, BSN, RN]

RNgilly said:

I think you should def take the float ICU over PCU/MS. If you apply to another ICU and get an offer, then you can pick between the two. True, you probably won't get the MOST critical pts as a ICU float nurse, but the floats that come to my unit still get pts w invasive lines, vent, drips etc that you will need exposure to. They don't admit fresh post op pts or get devices, or the really sick peeps. I think if you float to a unit you particularly enjoy, reach out to management and form a relationship with them. See if you can spend a day shadowing one of their nurses and express interest in transitioning over! Pick up shifts on the unit, whatever it takes to get your foot in the door 🙂

Yea your right! Im gonna keep applying but take this one while im applying just in case. Yea if I took the PCU/MS positions that will push back my CRNA apps & I don't wanna do that. Im thinking of going for SICU/CVICU.