question about what type of critical care unit to go into?

LeLeeFNP · Feb 7, 2010

Its great that you are being proactive and doing research on this now. CVICU is preferred. SICU and Trauma are also great units, especially in a teaching hospital. Make sure you get your CCRN certification before you apply to CRNA school (most programs require 1-2 years critical care experience and you will need one year before you qualify to take CCRN). please look at the pre-crna inquiry forum underneath the specialty tab. there is so much information regarding what qualifications you should have and many other topics related to perspective SRNAs. I was able to obtain a wealth of information from there.

Good luck.

Rabid Response · Feb 7, 2010

In my hospital it is usually CVICU nurses who go on to CRNA school. But our CVICU has never hired new grads, and I suspect that might be the case in a lot of hospitals. Our ICU has hired new grads in the past (I was one of them), though infrequently, and it is very easy to transfer to CVICU from ICU at my hospital. If I were you I would would apply for general ICU positions at hospitals that have large CV surgery units and apply for transfer to CV after a year.

It may be, if the economy remains as it is, that you will not be able to find a position in any critical care setting right out of nursing school. If that's the case, you should try to get onto a cardiac procedure unit or a tele unit (again in a hospital with a CVICU) and apply to transfer to CV when possible.

questionsforall · Feb 7, 2010

In my hospital it is usually CVICU nurses who go on to CRNA school. But our CVICU has never hired new grads, and I suspect that might be the case in a lot of hospitals. Our ICU has hired new grads in the past (I was one of them), though infrequently, and it is very easy to transfer to CVICU from ICU at my hospital. If I were you I would would apply for general ICU positions at hospitals that have large CV surgery units and apply for transfer to CV after a year.
It may be, if the economy remains as it is, that you will not be able to find a position in any critical care setting right out of nursing school. If that's the case, you should try to get onto a cardiac procedure unit or a tele unit (again in a hospital with a CVICU) and apply to transfer to CV when possible.

I agree. They even cut the new grad residency program for entry into the ICU at my hospital because it was too expensive and half the time the new grad does not make it through the residency and works on med-surg floor for first year anyway (so all that money and traiing down the drain). So, it may take you a couple of years to get your ICU experience (but it is well worth it). If you have the choice any ICU you work in will get you into the program. However, in CTICU you will learn more about swanz and hemodynamics and this may help you with interview and the program you enter.

lpnstudentin2010, LPN · Feb 7, 2010

i feel stupid, but am not yet in nursing school, not till sept. what is cvicu

Perpetual Student · Feb 7, 2010

Whatever one you can get hired for. As mentioned above, many CVICUs do not hire new grads. Starting in any kind of ICU would be a good beginning to move into CVICU. Actually, I take that back. I'm not sure if when you said NICU you mean neuro or neonatal, but I imagine that neonatal would be a bit too population-specific to prepare you for CRNA school.

PACU also wouldn't really be ideal for your goal. I think it's an awesome unit, but it's not really preferred by the CRNA admissions folks.

Make sure to get a job as a tech or CNA in a large hospital that has a nice mix of ICUs. Ideally, make it a hospital in a local chain with quite a few hospitals. That could really make the difference in being able to get the job you want.

LeLeeFNP · Feb 8, 2010

if you can get a nurse extern or cna position in a cvicu then you would have a better chance at getting hired as a new grad. also a general icu that does cardiac surgeries is a great idea. there are a few nurse residency programs that offer critical care specialties that would allow you to go into cvicu as a new grad as well. what state are you in? i was offered a position in cvicu as a new grad (i interned there first) and was also hired into a general icu as a new grad. it is definately possible. dont give up!

aflac381 · Feb 8, 2010

Illinois

JenRN30, BSN · Mar 9, 2010

i feel stupid, but am not yet in nursing school, not till sept. what is cvicu

CVICU = Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit