PACU for experience and lower GPA

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I just graduated with my BSN in December, and have been thinking about CRNA school, but not completely sure yet. I accepted a position in the OR at our Level 1 hospital, where I plan to get a better idea of what a CRNA does and whether I want to pursue this in the future.

My new manager has said that I could transfer to PACU down the road, and our hospital's PACU is such that at least one CRNA school (Cincy) has accepted nurses from this unit. Our PACU has ICU boarders all the time. Do any of you know of programs that accept PACU experience? I could also transfer to one of our critical care units, too.

I am also a bit concerned that my GPA of 3.3 will not be competitive enough, but I plan on taking some grad classes and getting A's in them (i have A's in all my chemistry and physio classes). Do you think my GPA has completely thrown me out of the running?

Thanks for any and all feedback!

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PACUs are not accepted by most programs for the required ICU experience.

And I have worked in some that had more unstable patients than the ICU, but in the eyes of many programs, it is not accepted.

The best experience that you can get is in a CVICU.

Right now, it is actually harder to get into a CRNA program than it is to get into medical school.

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Specializes in Peds, OR, PACU, Med-Surg, ICCU.

CVICU is a good bet, but if you want to broaden your experience, OR won't hurt, PACU won't hurt. Although they don't fulfill your ICU requirement, they look darn good experience-wise. Get those under your belt while you decide if it's really what you want to do. Then go on to Critical Care and learn all you can. You'll do better with a good, strong base to draw from.

GPA isn't EVERYTHING. 3.3 is good. The schools I've looked at want "between a 3.0 and 4.0." GRE scores, references, associations (AACN, getting certifications--CNOR, CCRN) help, as well as your GPA. Some people with 4.0 GPA and near 1600 GRE don't make it in, so don't count yourself out. Your good science grades will help you, too. Many schools pull those out and look at them separately.

My GRE wasn't the greatest, and my GPA is lower than yours and I'm interviewing in two weeks at MCG. 5 years PACU/OR experience, 5 years Med/Surg/Pediatrics and 14 months ICCU. They aren't just looking for complete bookworms--I'm proof--but it does help to be bright! Some people look great on paper but are a disappointment in person.

Fingers crossed (for both of us!)

Icudotcalm:rolleyes:

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Thanks ICUdotcalm: Your feedback is very appreciated. I understand how competitive CRNA school is these days. But I agree that schools will look at the total package. Some more than others. Some programs put a higher premium on GPA, and obviously those won't be the schools I apply to.

I plan on getting my feet wet in OR/PACU, and then re-evaluate if CRNA is the way I want to proceed. If it is, I can transfer to one of the ICUs. Also, I work at a Level 1 trauma facility, which I think is preferred by CRNA programs.

Initially I felt unsure about going to the OR, but I think it is the best course for me, as it will give me the best view of what a CRNA is all about. Thanks again, this is a great site for sharing information.

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Thanks ICUdotcalm: Your feedback is very appreciated. I understand how competitive CRNA school is these days. But I agree that schools will look at the total package. Some more than others. Some programs put a higher premium on GPA, and obviously those won't be the schools I apply to.

I plan on getting my feet wet in OR/PACU, and then re-evaluate if CRNA is the way I want to proceed. If it is, I can transfer to one of the ICUs. Also, I work at a Level 1 trauma facility, which I think is preferred by CRNA programs.

Initially I felt unsure about going to the OR, but I think it is the best course for me, as it will give me the best view of what a CRNA is all about. Thanks again, this is a great site for sharing information.

Might I suggest PACU first instead of OR. OR nursing is very different than bedside care, and you take the chance of losing some of your skills, whereas in PACU you get a taste of both worlds. Merely a suggestion.

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Might I suggest PACU first instead of OR. OR nursing is very different than bedside care, and you take the chance of losing some of your skills, whereas in PACU you get a taste of both worlds. Merely a suggestion.

PACU positions are exteremely difficult to get as a new grad, I've never heard of a new grad going straight to PACU. Most PACU's expect prior ICU experience.

The CRNA school in Houston and I've heard is also true in Dallas accepts PACU experience for the ICU requirement.

This is because most PACU's also function as ICU overflow, so most PACU nurses still function as ICU nurses.

Several of our PACU nurses went on to become CRNA's and/or are in the program now.

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[The CRNA school in Houston and I've heard is also true in Dallas accepts PACU experience for the ICU requirement.

I'm in my second semester at UT-Houston. Our program does not accept PACU experience in place of ICU. I have both SICU/MICU and PACU experience in Level I trauma hospitals. The applications are much more competitive. Develop critical thinking skills by working in an ICU. Good luck!

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Right now, it is actually harder to get into a CRNA program than it is to get into medical school.

Seriously? Where did you hear that? It gives me an ego boost, but I'm not sure it's true.

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I agree that PACU is limiting yourself when applying to CRNA programs, and does not keep you as competitive. I will probably transfer to my hospital's CCU after 1 year if I still want CRNA. That was my other offer as a new grad, but I chose to go to the OR, as I want to see firsthand what CRNAs do before I decide to pursue that route. I also have 2+ years in our Level 1 ED as a tech, and a semester in Trauma ICU for my preceptorship/synthesis for school just prior to graduating. Not experience that will help me get into CRNA school, but will help going to an ICU after the OR.

I know our PACU has a couple of nurses who went on to U of Cincy's CRNA program, but I also do not know their background. Perhaps they had ICU experience before going to PACU. Nevertheless, I think limiting myself to PACU is not the best route, and with my lower GPA (3.3), I think I'd be better off going to CCU.

The manager of the CCU has indicated that he would have the door open for me in the future should I change my mind.

Thanks for all the feedback, that's why I love this site!

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[The CRNA school in Houston and I've heard is also true in Dallas accepts PACU experience for the ICU requirement.

I'm in my second semester at UT-Houston. Our program does not accept PACU experience in place of ICU. I have both SICU/MICU and PACU experience in Level I trauma hospitals. The applications are much more competitive. Develop critical thinking skills by working in an ICU. Good luck!

I stand corrected.

I spoke to one of the CRNA's (UT Houston grad) who used to work in our PACU. She was like me and flipped her shifts between ICU and PACU so that's how she got in. I thought she was a full time PACU nurse prior to being a CRNA.

I also didn't think about the fact that almost all of our PACU nurses came from ICU so maybe that's how they got in.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Acute/Subacute Rehab.

icudotcalm....I'm in SC, too. Where did you get your experience??

How did the interview at MCG go??????

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What does PACU stand for?

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