RN to CRNA

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Specializes in BSN, RN.

Hello all! I have just graduated nursing school and earned my BSN and I want to become a CRNA in the future. I know most programs require preferably 2 years of ICU experience but I was wondering does the type of hosptial where one gets their two years of icu experience matter? Such as a community hosptial vs a bigger hosptial? Thank you!

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Specializes in CVICU, CCRN.

Bigger hospitals are preferred! So does the ICU. They prefer higher trauma leveled hospitals, and SICUs. But it all varies and depends on the program, there are obviously some programs more pickier than others. Hope I could help

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It is hard to answer this question, because I disagree with the above poster. I got accepted to a program and I believe my broad experience in a general ICU assisted me to answer any and all questions in their interview. They did not care at all about the size of the ICU I came from or if it was specialized. I believe my years of experience in a regular ICU with my wide-spectrum of cases landed me a spot. Go wherever you want to go. I believe that applicants with >2 years experience and

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To add on to my post, if you know what you want to do and are certain about becoming a CRNA, take your CCRN once you are eligible (around one year of experience.) Then, shadow a CRNA and start applying at the year mark because you will have two years experience once a program starts. You may not be super competitive the first year you apply, but the next year you will be more so. If you took your sciences in your freshman year of college, these classes are already reaching the five year mark! It definitely limited me on applying to some schools because I didn't apply right out of my BSN. Some schools focus heavily on science classes alone and others don't. Some schools will interview you if you meet all of the basic requirements, then in your interview is where you SHINE! Sorry, got off topic but I hope this helps!

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Specializes in BSN, RN.
To add on to my post, if you know what you want to do and are certain about becoming a CRNA, take your CCRN once you are eligible (around one year of experience.) Then, shadow a CRNA and start applying at the year mark because you will have two years experience once a program starts. You may not be super competitive the first year you apply, but the next year you will be more so. If you took your sciences in your freshman year of college, these classes are already reaching the five year mark! It definitely limited me on applying to some schools because I didn't apply right out of my BSN. Some schools focus heavily on science classes alone and others don't. Some schools will interview you if you meet all of the basic requirements, then in your interview is where you SHINE! Sorry, got off topic but I hope this helps!

Thank you for that info! May I ask what program you are attending for the CRNA. I am a new grad just started on a med surg unit at a local community hospital. They do have an icu there so I was thinking I could transfer after 6 months to a year. I want to become a CRNA as soon as possible. So would I need to retake my sciences ? I'm 23 now and took most of them between 18-21

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Specializes in ICU.

It depends on the school you apply to. Some require your Chemistry course to be

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Specializes in BSN, RN.
It depends on the school you apply to. Some require your Chemistry course to be

Oh wow so you got into an icu right out of nuridnt school and the CRNA program you applied to only required one year experience?

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Specializes in ICU.

I graduated nursing school in May 2014 @ 21, started working ICU June 2014. Applied to CRNA school Oct 2015 and was admitted Jan 2016, and was still 23 at the time. I worked up until I started school in Aug 2016, so it was a little over 2 years of ICU experience.

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Specializes in BSN, RN.
I graduated nursing school in May 2014 @ 21, started working ICU June 2014. Applied to CRNA school Oct 2015 and was admitted Jan 2016, and was still 23 at the time. I worked up until I started school in Aug 2016, so it was a little over 2 years of ICU experience.

Nice! Good for you! Hopefully I can transfer to an icu soon. I graduated this past May and have just recently started working on a med surg floor at a local community hosptial. They do have an icu there that includes micu, sicu, and cticu all in one so hopefully I can transfer there soon. Did you get your icu experience at a smaller hospital or a larger hospital ?

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Specializes in ICU.

I worked at a large Level 1 Trauma center in the neuro ICU.

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I've been accepted to Bloomsburg and will start in the fall. Some programs that I looked into, I'd have to retake a science class so it's within the 5 year mark. Others require science classes that I never needed for my BSN. Some schools have A LOT of hoops to jump through, but if you meet their requirements and put in the extra work, you have a higher chance of getting in because not everyone will work that hard to apply to that particular school.

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They may prefer larger icus however don't let it deter you of your experience level is in a,smaller community icu. I just got accepted into 2 schools and i came from a small general icu. I would recommend working diligently on yoir application and focus on yoir certs and interview.

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