PICU to CRNA

[healthxo33, BSN, RN]

Hello everyone! I am considering going back to school to become a CRNA. I do know that most schools prefer adult ICU experience prior to applying. Does anyone know if PICU experience would be good enough and wha types of skills/machine equipment would I need to know prior to applying?
 

what types of skills would I get if I worked in adult ICU as opposed to PICU? I have a NICU backgrounds and ideally would like to transfer to PICU to gain my experience for school. However, I feel like adult ICU would expose time to more of what I need to know. 

[talkkilotome, BSN]

Hi! I got accepted into CRNA school with PICU and CVPICU experience.  My advice is to check the websites of the schools you are interested in and verify that the accept PICU experience. In general, PICU/CVPICU is preferred over NICU. Simply because NICU is so specialized and the learning curve is more steep. 

Also, get your ACLS. You will need it for school anyway.

 

[CRNA School Prep Academy]

Hi there! As the above commenter mentioned, you'll want to check with the specific program(s) you're interested in to confirm what type of ICU experience they require. 

An added note-- if the website says "on a case by case basis", please reach out to someone specifically at the program or admissions to discuss. 

We have seen several of our students gain acceptance into CRNA school with PICU or even NICU experience. 

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.

Cheering you on!!