Pre- CRNA experience VCU or UVA hospital?

[Nunuz757, BSN]

Hello!,

I have a pre CRNA question.... Ill try to make this as quick & simple as possible....

I am graduating from the University of Virginia with my BSN in one week and I was given 2 offers one from VCU's surgical trauma and UVA's MICU.

My 5 year goal is to get into VCUs CRNA program. I am wondering if it would be better for me to accept the job at VCU and eventually transfer to their SICU or CVICU unit down the road then apply to VCU. Do you think this would help me to get into the program. I am wondering if VCU likes to "grow their own" or "take care of their own" (however you want to word it)? I see this in a lot of institutions and just curious if anyone has insight on this and if this might help me get my foot in the door.

OR

Go into UVAs MICU and gain experience there as opposed to losing a year at VCUs nurse residency program?

Will MICU experience be competitive enough? Or do CRNA schools prefer CVICU and SICU?

Both are academic, level 1 trauma hospitals however VCU is a magnet hospital and UVA is not (not sure how this would impact my chances).

I understand there is much more to this in terms of completing the other prerequisites such as (GRE scores, experience, CCRN certified, etc.) I am currently ACLS certified.

Anyway can anyone give me some advice?

Thank you for your time!

[PVCCHoo]

I would try to see what actual VCU srna's think. There are a lot of them on these boards. If you look through the threads on VCU you can find them and message them.

I doubt that that it really makes a difference which hospital you are at in the long run for getting in. They both would be what VCU is looking for. Of course if you are already in Richmond working, you won't have to move again if you do get in down the road.

[missnurse01, MSN, RN]

We have to VCU nurses in my current class. I know one was offered very early admission acceptance, not sure about the other one. I know that for one of them VCU is paying for their schooling. I am not sure how long you have to work there for that, or what the requirement is after school. I seriously thought about moving here earlier and working there just for that. Both of them have nothing but good things to say about the work environment, and I worked with another VCU alum while in Seattle and she also said it was awesome there. Good luck.