Should I be up front with the nurse recruiter about my CRNA intentions

[Riversurfer]

loveanesthesia,

Not sure if this is quite the right way to ask a question; I'm still learning how to navigate this site. I've been reading th posts and appreciate your conciseness and clarity, so thank you. I've got one year to go on my BSN and have given much thought to pursuing CRNA licensure. I'm willing to go anywhere to get into an ICU immediately after graduation. My question to you: Should I be up front with the nurse recruiter about my CRNA intentions when applying for a an ICU job? I know it is expensive to send nurses and new grads to training to work in an ICU and I'm curious if some recruiters will view my plans as a waste of the hospital's money, being that I would be (hopefully) accepted into a CRNA program 2-3 years after beginning my career. Advice and input is always much appreciated.

[DaveCRNA]

I would just like to add my own opinion. I was very honest about my intentions of applying to CRNA school. My unit loses a lot of nurses each and every year to anesthesia school. They are used to this and expect it. They just ask for a two year commitment post orientation.

I think that if you are qualified, then you are in demand in an ICU environment and they want good nurses, even if it is only for two years!

Just my

Good Luck, however you decide to handle this question.

[beedog13]

I agree with being upfront...my mananger was glad to know that he had a motivated nurse on his unit with bigger aspirations. I was fortunate in that all of the senior staff held no grudges and had a great attitude about mentoring someone who was going to be a CRNA. The way staffing goes in this field as well as the iffy quality of agency nurses sometimes made them happy to have someone who would do things their way with consistency vs. the alernative. It's not that easy everywhere...if they give you a bunch of crap about it then go work somewhere else. I have known people to get blacklisted when they dropped the CRNA school bomb without warning. Honesty is the best policy--when you ask for the reference letters it won't be a surprise.

Beedog

[PiPhi2004]

I hide it completely! I recently resigned from the ICU I began as a new grad. Many of the RNs had grudges against CRNA school so I learned quickly to keep my intentions to myself. There were about 10 of us wanting to go, so we kept that secret between ourselves. I never told my manager, and she bascially said that she would NEVER hire anyone saying they wanted to go to CRNA school nor will she write a letter of recommendation. I was shocked that people actually mention it! I recently interviewed for a new position after having to move and never mentioned it either. I have not yet started my new position but I will most likely keep my aspirations to myself again as I plan on applying next year. I have gone so far as blocking all my social networking sites (myspace, facebook, etc) from co-workers so that no one knows about my desire.

I guess just don't expect people to welcome it with open arms. Be cautious of who you tell. I guess I can understand how ICU nurses/managers feel, they are losing some of their best workers!

[Riversurfer]

Thanks again. I think i'll be keeping my mouth shut spec. about CRNA school. I find this animosity against young CRNA hopefuls to be perplexing. It shows that we've got dedicated, intelligent, and purpose-driven RN's in the field.

[krzysiu]

Why mention it? Things change and you might get bypassed for a position you'd like because of an "intent". Nursing has a high turn-over and if you mention you're in for a little while and just using them for experience you might not get the job. Do what's best for yourself. It's not easy getting into a CRNA program. Do what you have to do...

Chris

[rncam]

I don't think you should say anything. Your plans may change down the road. Some ICU staffers really resent putting the time in to orienting ne ICU nurses knowing they are planning to leave. I kept my long term plans to myself until it was a done deal.

[Manurse715]

Great advice! I suspected this to be the case. Thanks for the info.

BTW- What region of the country are you in, if you don't mind me asking? Fairly common to hire new grads into the ICU in your area/hospital?

Hospitals in Tulsa, OK will hire new grads in the ICU. I am a dude nurse, I want to go to CRNA school and I got hired less than a year ago. What I said in my interview just showed that I was willing to work hard and play the game and jump through hoops. New grads def HAVE to prove themselves. I would suggest to truly get good at being an ICU RN and learning a crap load of info without getting distracted by future aspirations. Both def dream big at the same time...