Small CVICU vs. Large Vascular ICU CRNA school FLorida

[Anthony-RN]

Hello everyone,

I am in the process of transitioning from a Cardiac Step-down unit at a large level 1 trauma center in STL, to an ICU so that I can gain experience in preparation for CRNA school.

My family and I will be moving south and I currently have an offer from a 6 Bed CVICU at a 400+ bed community hospital. I also have received interest from a larger teaching hospital, 1000+ beds, but have not received an offer (yet), and if I do, it will likely be in their vascular ICU.

The manager from the CVICU told me that their unit cares for the most critically ill pt's in the hospital. They typically only take open hearts, while their 16 bed CCU cares for all other cardiac pts such as those who received PCI, chf/copd exac, etc. They also have a 13 bed Trauma ICU and an 8 bed Neuro ICU, units that I am assuming i'd be able to float to if desired.

My question is, do you all think that the 2 yr CVICU experience will be adequate for admission into CRNA school? Is a 6 bed CVICU in a level 2 trauma hospital substantial experience in the eyes of admissions committees (USF, FIU, BARRY)? My stats are below..

1 yr Cardiac-Stepdown experience

BSN cum gpa: 3.29 (graduated 2013)

Last 60 hours BSN GPA: 3.5

Will take GRE and CCRN when I meet time qualifications (1-1.5yrs from now)

Masters Degree Business Admin (MBA) GPA: 3.9 (Graduate May 2015)

Also, I was a division one men's basketball player during my time as a nursing undergraduate, and during my first year of my MBA program, which is why I think my grades suffered a bit. I plan on retaking chemistry this fall (I received a C in that class during the first, mesmerizing semester of nursing school).

[TriathlonNurse]

I work in a 14 bed CVICU that takes primarily open hearts (but probably every week a really really sick open heart!). I'll let you know by December if my experience was adequate to get in :)