OR vs ICU experience

[schnookimz]

Hi all,

I have just started looking into crna schools. I am mostly seeing that they want a year or two of critical care experience. I just had a job offer in the OR. Would this work as experience too? Seems like it's a more pertinent setting.....no?

[KyFNP13]

I would say while working in the OR is the same setting as a CRNA you will not get the experience that you need for that role as a circulator. I currently work in the OR as a circulator and I do not do what an ICU nurse does. Most CRNA programs state they want ICU/CCU experience for at least 2 years because as a CRNA you are the one maintaining a life in the OR not looking for lost sponges, as a circulator would. ICU nurses take care of patients on a different level than a curculator. I do not know if you would cross train in PACU but I know a nurse who went to CRNA school because our PACU would hold ICU patients but it was approved by the program director on an individual basis. If you know the program you are interested in research it with them. I have seen where it said OR experience does not count. Hope this helps.

[schnookimz]

Yes that helps a lot. Thank you!

[chemokine]

Just to second that statement, OR experience is not really going to count as critical care experience. Your best bet is ICU. You might be able to get in with ER or PACU, but it really depends. OR is pretty much out of the question.

[Brbk6]

Schools require ICU experience. The nurses job in the OR nowhere compares to what you will be doing as a CRNA, the ICU does. Schools will accept ICU experience only, so don't waste your time.