NewGrad wanting CRNA - Level 2 trauma instead of Level 1 ?

[moonCat, BSN, RN]

Currently applying to New Grad programs & the Lv 1 trauma centers Im applying to are offering medsurg positions. Debating if I should apply to smaller community hospitals which will most likely be Lv 2 or Lv3. My ultimate goal is CRNA & I've called CRNA schools & the Lv 1 is better for exp as will def have Higher acuity, anybody know what the best route is? Im lost.. Should I accept the Lv 1 teaching hospital MS & work way up even though this will take longer or accept a Lv2/3 smaller hospital in ICU? Or smaller hospital then after 2yrs to my top choice UCL ICU? (Not sure about this one as jumping around hospitals won't look that well for apps, or is 2yrs good enough?). THANK YOU! 

[CriticalCareRN13]

I've been working in a Level 2 ICU for the past 3 years and am currently applying to CRNA school. I have had quite a few coworkers apply to CRNA school and they all have gotten accepted. I think the biggest thing is to make sure that the Level 2 hospital(s) you're looking at still take very sick patients (ventilators, multiple drips and pressors, some specialized devices) and they aren't sending those sick patients out to other hospitals as soon as they can. I think it's way more beneficial to have that ICU experience as soon as possible so that you're qualified to apply to schools a lot quicker than taking the med surg route, since applications are getting more and more competitive every year. I don't think it looks bad to "jump" from a hospital that's a Level 2 to a Level 1 in order to get more experience when the time comes. Make sure you're actively trying to take the sickest patients and learn as much about ICU as you can. Even working at a Level 2, I've been able to get experience with vents, drips/pressors, CRRT, invasive lines including Swans so I would definitely look into the acuity rather than just the Level. 

[moonCat, BSN, RN]

CriticalCareRN13 said:

I've been working in a Level 2 ICU for the past 3 years and am currently applying to CRNA school. I have had quite a few coworkers apply to CRNA school and they all have gotten accepted. I think the biggest thing is to make sure that the Level 2 hospital(s) you're looking at still take very sick patients (ventilators, multiple drips and pressors, some specialized devices) and they aren't sending those sick patients out to other hospitals as soon as they can. I think it's way more beneficial to have that ICU experience as soon as possible so that you're qualified to apply to schools a lot quicker than taking the med surg route, since applications are getting more and more competitive every year. I don't think it looks bad to "jump" from a hospital that's a Level 2 to a Level 1 in order to get more experience when the time comes. Make sure you're actively trying to take the sickest patients and learn as much about ICU as you can. Even working at a Level 2, I've been able to get experience with vents, drips/pressors, CRRT, invasive lines including Swans so I would definitely look into the acuity rather than just the Level. 

Thank you!

As Im applying & interviewing I will keep that in mind! Do you know of any website that can help me determine if a smaller hospital is high acuity? Or should it just be based off of what I see in the ICU in person?

 

moonCat said:

Thank you!

As Im applying & interviewing I will keep that in mind & tbh I am set on ICU after reading forums & your response!

 Do you know of any website that can help me determine if a smaller hospital is high acuity? Or should it just be based off of what I see in the ICU in person?

Also! Would it be bad to travel to high acuity ICUs after a year of ICU experience? Prior to applying?

[CRNA School Prep Academy]

CriticalCareRN13 said:

I've been working in a Level 2 ICU for the past 3 years and am currently applying to CRNA school. I have had quite a few coworkers apply to CRNA school and they all have gotten accepted. I think the biggest thing is to make sure that the Level 2 hospital(s) you're looking at still take very sick patients (ventilators, multiple drips and pressors, some specialized devices) and they aren't sending those sick patients out to other hospitals as soon as they can. I think it's way more beneficial to have that ICU experience as soon as possible so that you're qualified to apply to schools a lot quicker than taking the med surg route, since applications are getting more and more competitive every year. I don't think it looks bad to "jump" from a hospital that's a Level 2 to a Level 1 in order to get more experience when the time comes. Make sure you're actively trying to take the sickest patients and learn as much about ICU as you can. Even working at a Level 2, I've been able to get experience with vents, drips/pressors, CRRT, invasive lines including Swans so I would definitely look into the acuity rather than just the Level. 

GREAT advice. Thank you for sharing and encouraging your fellow aspiring CRNA! Cheering you on while you work on applications. PS Here's a free interview prep guide if you'd like to get a head start on prep: https://www.cspaedu.com/questions

Cheering you in-- you got this!!

[CRNA School Prep Academy]

moonCat said:

Thank you!

As Im applying & interviewing I will keep that in mind! Do you know of any website that can help me determine if a smaller hospital is high acuity? Or should it just be based off of what I see in the ICU in person?

 

It's not letting me quote the comment but regarding travel ICU nursing and CRNA- keep in mind that travelers tend to get the lower acuity patients, and CRNA schools will want to see you taking the sickest-of-the-sick. 

IF you get solid, high-acuity experience (IE vasoactive drips, ventilators) prior to traveling, there is a chance that you will get those high-acuity patients BUT you will need to clearly communicate that you got those types of patients when working on your resume, personal statement and interview prep. 

Furthermore, keep in mind that CRNA schools will require Letters of Recommendation, which can be harder to get from travel assignments. Not impossible, but it does take some pre-planning. 

 

Many aspiring CRNAs will stay PRN at their "home" hospital to keep that connection with managers/supervisors who can provide solid LORs when the time comes. 

PS- The Best way to determine acuity at the hospital is to just ask 😉

We typically recommend this: 

If you're not regularly seeing ventilators, vasoactive drips, your patients get transferred out then it's not the best ICU for CRNA.

In addition to high acuity, you want to look for units that will give you the opportunity for leadership or committee experience.

You may want to grab this free 8 Steps to CRNA Planning Guide, it has a lot of details like this that would be beneficial for you to reference; here's the link: https://www.cspaedu.com/planning


We are rooting for you! You got this!