OR nursing as prep for CRNA

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I am a second year nursing student and I am really drawn to the OR. I am also very interested in completing a CRNA program. My question is would OR experience count as critical care experience?

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

No usually OR experience doesn't count. Go work in Surgical ICU where you'll get hands on experience working with vents, and invasive hemodynamics and drips.

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I am a second year nursing student and I am really drawn to the OR. I am also very interested in completing a CRNA program. My question is would OR experience count as critical care experience?

No. When you shadow an OR nurse vs. an ICU nurse, you'll understand why. OR nurses are incredibly important for the running management of the operation. They make sure the surgeon and techs have everything they need for the successful completion of the operation. They assist in positioning the patient, placement of foley catheters, prepping the patient for surgery, charting what is going on in the rooms and assisting the anesthesia provider in case of emergencies. The CRNA or MDA are the ones who manage the patient. They give the medications, monitor the effects, manage fluids, manage blood loss, monitor vital signs from minute to minute. This is similar to but not the same kind of experience an ICU nurse has but not an OR nurse.

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Specializes in Trauma ER and ICU...SRNA now.

It would not count at any school I have ever heard of. And if they did accept it, it would NOT help you at all. You need critical care experience... ICU. You need to manage drips, lines, swans, vents...etc. In the or that is all managed the the CRNA or MDA. You would have no experience with any of that. If you want to be a CRNA, get an ICU job and work hard at learning everything you can there.

I chose to work per diem (on top of my critical care job) in a PACU to get other experiences and because I like it. You could do the same with the OR if you really want to do it.

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Specializes in SICU--CRNA 2010.

No, critical care is in ICU. I have a friend that worked in the OR, but she wanted to go to CRNA school. She had to work for a year in ICU before she could apply.

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Specializes in DNAP Student.
I am a second year nursing student and I am really drawn to the OR. I am also very interested in completing a CRNA program. My question is would OR experience count as critical care experience?

The answer is NO. You need an ICU background to get into any CRNA programs.

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