Question About Admissions into a Program

[lsutigerrn]

I recently graduated with a MSN with a focus on FNP. My originial plan/goal was to attend CRNA school in Virginia, however, the US Army had different plans for my husband and we were moved to Alabama instead. This move was the reason I went for my MSN as opposed to CRNA school.

My question is this. I do not have any ICU/CCU experience, but I do have ER experience. Is this requirement set in stone or can it be waived? I really do want to pursue my dream, but I'm not sure if I need to go back and work as a CCU/ICU nurse to do so. Thanks!:)

[Summitk2]

Is there a reason why you needed an MSN? Why didn't you work in ICU rather than getting your MSN? This would've put you in a perfect place for CRNA school. I don't think there's much from your FNP that applies to CRNA and your path appears wandering to me. I fear this is what the adcoms will grill you on.

At any rate, I would strongly suggest getting ICU experience. ER experience is priceless and will contribute greatly, but you need to consider your competition. Some schools accept ER experience; contact them individually to find out. Basically, NA schools are looking for invasive hemodynamic monitoring skills, careful pharmacologic response to those hemodynamic values, and in-depth knowledge/experience managing mechanical ventilation. If you have this experience, sell yourself and attempt to get in. Otherwise, get into an ICU and get the experience they're looking for. It will save you a lot of time in the long run. It will also illustrate your re-commitment to anesthesia.

Good luck!

[Happy Halothane]

Some programs will consider ER as critical care experience. However, you need to keep in mind that you'd be missing critical 1-1 experience. ER does have its merits: you likely have excellent hands-on skills (IV's, etc), multitasking, and the ability to make rapid decisions.

In the ER, I've never been able to care for a patient as you would have been able to in an ICU. As a CRNA/SRNA, you'll be absolutely responsible for craniotomies , vascular cases, intra-abdominal cases.....just to name a few. I firmly believe you should have neuro, trauma, cardiovascular, and general surgical ICU experience to have a solid background entering a CRNA program. How could you understand/visualize ICP trends, titrate pressors to cardiac indexes, or learn how intensivists think?

The learning curve for a SRNA is very, very steep. You're expected to be an expert in airway management, pharmacology, and critical care.

Sometimes you have to leave comfortable situations, and push yourself into a new era. Good luck!