New grad RN & aspiring CRNA - Where should I start? OR vs. PCU

[alexaRN]

i'm a new grad rn about to begin my nursing career. here's my dilemma...i've been offered a position in the or as well as a position on a progressive care unit & i'm not sure which one i should accept

i would like to eventually go back to school to get my master's degree...possibly in nurse anesthesia. a year & a half of experience in the icu is required for acceptance into a crna program. if i accept the position in the pcu i will be able to transfer to the icu within a year, which would then put me on the right track for going back to school to become a crna. would it be more beneficial for me to start as a circulator nurse in the or where i would be able to work with the crnas & determine whether or not that is something i would want to do or should i go ahead & start out in progressive care & try to shadow a crna on my days off? any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[nike0777]

If you really think you want to go to CRNA school then definitely the PCU position. While in the PCU position you should shadow a CRNA to determine if it's right for you. That way if you decide it is for you, you can transfer into the ICU. Honestly I don't think the OR position will help at all. As an OR nurse you would only get to see what a CRNA does actually in the OR, not pre and post op. I think you would get a better feel for the position by shadowing a CRNA.