Possible future CRNA with no swan experience?

Published

Hi, I am very interested in the CRNA route. I currently am an RN (Associate's), working on BSN. I have worked in MICU for 4 years now, HOWEVER we do not do swan. I saw one when I first started working there but it was being d/c'ed and we have not had one since. Is it something that can be learned in CRNA school? Are there classes that I could take to make myself more knowledgeable in them? I understand the NEED to know, and its something that would be exciting to learn, I just don't know them at all yet. I am proficient with drips, vents, etc... just no swan. Will this affect my chances of getting in if I pass all other criteria?

Thanks for your help!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Anesthesia, ICU, ED.

you can go the http://www.pacep.org.

I used this to study for the CCRN and its an incredible site

Up Vote Up Vote ×

A swan is not that important, but it appears tha the acuity level of your patients may be a bit low and that could be a problem.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, OR, Med-Surg.

There are many ICU's that have stopped using Swanz catheters. Just because you don't use Swanz doesn't mean your patients are any less acute. I work in a neuro/surgical//medica/trauma ICU and the only time we use Swanz is on our heart patients that have had AVR/MVR or CABG done. Many times, we use the Vigileo, which is less invasive than a Swan but yields enough data to treat the patient accordingly. I don't have much Swan experience other than obtaining cardiac output/cardiac index through the instillate. I was offered an interview for CRNA school and I have my fingers crossed. My unit take care of a lot of high acuity patients and I honestly don't think not having a significant number of Swanz patients is going to prevent you or me from getting into school. Many ICU's are just not using Swanz catheters are much.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in STICU; cross-trained in CCU, MICU, CVICU.

I would agree with the above two posters that Swanz aren't used AS much anymore, however that is pertinent to ICU care NOT the OR. Many of my CRNA friends have said that they end up floating a swan to obtain a quick set of hemodynamics and then take it out. As such, regardless if you actually use a Swanz in your ICU I would say your best bet is to know as much as you can about a swan prior to interviewing.

I work at a level one Surgical Trauma ICU and we get Swanz pretty reguarly from the OR and we use the CCO Swanz in our trauma patients. We also use the Vigileo and yes it does allow a MD to treat the patient accordingly. However given the pulmonary oximetry and volumetrics that a Swan can provide, as a nurse, I prefer the swan more. besides they are fun to play with.

I interviewed and was accepted. My clinical questions were about Swanz as well as IABP. Although I have not taken care of a pt with a IABP in over 4 years they still wanted to test my knowledge base. I would imagine that most CRNA schools prefer applicants who have a pretty good knowledge base of hemodynamics and equipment used. Remember what you don't know doesn't mean you can't learn!!!! Good luck to ya

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ditto on Air Force RN

But you will need to know the hemodynamics involved, what is being measured and why, regardless of the monitoring method. So study up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CRNA, Law, Peer Assistance, EMS.

Swan experience, or lack thereof, will not make or break your acceptance to CRNA school. Yes, you will learn Swan insertion and interpretation in CRNA school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion