Recommendations for CRNA applicants

[CRaus]

I am currently a 2nd year nursing student graduating in May 2015. I will be finishing my BSN shortly after graduating with my ADN and am working on a few other needed courses to apply. I have been researching different programs and their requirements for the last year or so and have most everything planned out but, I am unsure of the experience requirement for the CRNA. All say a minimum of one year experience in an ICU setting. Some say they will except PICU and some do not specify. What have most people found as the best experience? Adult or pediatric? I prefer pediatrics but I don't want to limit myself when it comes to application time. Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated.

[SrNaOnMyWaY]

Hi CRaus,

Generally, most programs prefer adult ICU. This includes any high-acuity ICU, including cardiac, surgical, neuro, and medical. There are a few programs that will accept NICU, and I'm pretty sure there are also a few that accept PICU. But this is not the norm. This information is almost always on the programs' website under their requirements. You can also call the schools directly or email them to find out if they will accept that experience. If it is truly an area you want to pursue, make sure it is high-acuity, preferably a level 1 trauma facility that is also a teaching hospital. Programs value this type of experience over others.

To get a good list of programs, all-crna-schools.com is a good resource to use as a starting point. Just be sure to verify any information posted on that site regarding program specifics, as it is not always the most current or accurate information. It served as a good starting point for me to identify accredited schools in the areas I was interested in.

[Go-GetterRN]

I'd recommend adult icu, you will meet the requirement for every school in the nation. PICU would probably meet the requirement for 1/4-1/2 of the schools.

[CRaus]

Thank you both for the information, I really appreciate the help.

[dscrover]

aana.com is the best bet for the most up-to-date list of accredited nurse anesthesia programs

[maverick87]

I would say adult. Some programs will take students with a pediatric background but understand that the majority of time spent in clinical/didactic will be geared for the adult population. Just like nursing school you will have didactic/rotations in OB and peds, just not as much as adult. Whenever you graduate, just do as much as you can to show that you want to excel and go above and beyond (CCRN, committee if able, charge/precept if able). Just become a well-rounded person with a passion to improve yourself and you'll do great. Hope that helps!