New guy here, a question and brief intro.

[scott07]

Hi, I'm new here. I'm starting my road to CRNA by enrolling in an accelerated BSN program starting in fall of 2006. I noticed that to be considered for CRNA school you should have ICU experience. My main question is; can a new RN with a BSN degree go straight to an ICU position or is that a long road in itself to attain?

My story: I was riding the fence between MD and Anesthesiologist Assistant but the schools are to far away and I cant be separated from my family that long. Dont know why but just figured that out! :-) I just recently learned my hometown university can get me started in the nursing career and then I can apply to a CRNA program after some work experience. My interest in Anesthesiology comes from the many surgeries my special needs daughter has had. I truely appreciate the OR and enjoy the science that is applied there. I have observed a couple surgeries and have even help my daughter on the operating room table until her anesthesia took over. Although not by the book I'm sure, that situation and the concern of the Anesthesiologist to make my daughter as comfortable as possible sold me on being part of the OR team. I love the thought of being a CRNA. I looked into AA because it was a faster track since you just need prereq's and not a specific degree, but there are only 3 schools to choose from and all to far away. Finally I have decided that CRNA fit my family's situation the best. My concern is about loosing prereq's I have taken the last several years. I know some programs have a time limit on how long prereqs are valid for and It will take me a minimum of 4 years from now to apply to a CRNA program. I have 1yr inorganic chem, 1yr organic chem, cell biology, statistics, precalc, plus a handfull of other science courses that are 1-2 years old (50credit hrs). My GPA at this point is a 3.96. I look forward to the challenges ahead but am confused about the timeline to achive my goals.

Thanks for any input,

Scott

[ERNurse752, RN]

Hi Scott,

New grads can definitely go straight into the ICU. I think the best way to do it is to work as a student nurse extern in the ICU while you're in school, and then get into a really good new grad RN ICU internship program (which would preferably be with the same hospital you work at as a SNE) when you graduate. A good ICU internship program/orientation should be at least 12 weeks long.

Being a SNE on ICU will give you some valuable exposure to the role you will have as an RN. Therefore, it won't seem as overwhelming when you graduate.

Good luck! :)

PS - A really neat informative website, devised by a guy on here, is http://www.icufaqs.org

[TexasCCRN]

I went straight to icu as a new grad. It can be done. It does help like the previous poster stated to be a tech in ICU as soon as you can. Just to get used to the bells/whistles and learn as much as you can.

Good choice choosing CRNA over AA. Your practice options open up tremendously and you will not need a physican to practice.

I wouldn't worry too much about those science courses. If you are applying to a program which wants you to have taken them in the last few years when you graduate during your first/second year of nursing take the recommened course (which is usually just a basic chemistry, etc). I have not had chem in Years and I am doing just fine in it. Good Luck

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

Welcome to the site. Enjoy your stay and best wishes to you. :balloons:

[EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN]

Yes you can go straight to the ICU as a new grad. But don't tell the nurse manager about your CRNA aspirations in the interview. As for pre-reqs, most places will accept science classes no older than 10 years. Most CRNA programs do not require organic chem either.