Starting out in the Operating Room...

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Hey CRNAs,

I started out in the Operating Room as a new grad... and it's only been a few months. I'm practically entranced by all that you do at the head of the bed.

Im wondering if that means I should look into becoming a CRNA... should I stay in the OR for a year then transfer to an ICU? Or transfer out now?

I think I would enjoy trauma ICU because I love working with OR trauma but is trauma ICU accepted for CRNA school?

Would love to hear from operating room nurses who become CRNAs.

Thanks!

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I'm in CRNA school and would say that trauma ICU would certainly be accepted by most any program. Pretty much any ICU is acceptable except some programs may not take pediatric or neonatal ICU experience. If you want to go to CRNA school then get out of the OR and get into an ICU. The longer you wait the longer you won't be working towards your career goal.

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I'm in CRNA school and would say that trauma ICU would certainly be accepted by most any program. Pretty much any ICU is acceptable except some programs may not take pediatric or neonatal ICU experience. If you want to go to CRNA school then get out of the OR and get into an ICU. The longer you wait the longer you won't be working towards your career goal.

I would love to hear more from you! I've had the opportunity to speak to a few SRNAs. I would love to hear your background. Can I be honest with you? What you do looks terrifying... but I am drawn to all of the details and management you guys do. I'm guessing a healthy. Fear is good right? Also, a lot of CRNAs said they couldn't work through school. How did you survive?

My main concern is that I am in an OR internship program right now and I would hate to bail out now... and that might look bad on me... I'm talking to an old friend who works in a Trauma ICU on Saturday to get a better perspective. I'm hoping a CRNA will eventually reach out to me. I've given my number to two of them... to get coffee... maybe I should ask for their number. Haha.

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Oh you totally have to take them to lunch! I suppose don't be too aggressive but who doesn't like free food?! The time you'd save from the advice alone would be worth way more than the cost of a meal. Sounds like you're in a bit of a bind but I agree with Bluebolt. If you know what you want, you go and get it! Hopefully your friend can help you get into that ICU. Keep us posted, best of luck to you!

ps I'm not a CRNA, just simply a nursing student onlooker

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Specializes in ICU.

Former Trauma ICU level 1 RN. Stay in OR for 1.5 years then go per diem. Work part time or full-time in ICU.

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Former Trauma ICU level 1 RN. Stay in OR for 1.5 years then go per diem. Work part time or full-time in ICU.

By per diem, do you mean PRN? Excited to hear your feedback, so can you give me your reasoning for staying 1.5 years in the OR then going to an ICU?

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By per diem, do you mean PRN? Excited to hear your feedback, so can you give me your reasoning for staying 1.5 years in the OR then going to an ICU?

PRN and Per Diem are basically the same thing. And in my opinion, you could transfer as soon as you could to ICU, it will just be more challenging to do that with less than 1 year experience.

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Specializes in ICU.
By per diem, do you mean PRN? Excited to hear your feedback, so can you give me your reasoning for staying 1.5 years in the OR then going to an ICU?

Yes. Remember OR you touch nothing. ICU you do everything. Seeing and doing is two different things. Stay in OR to Observe more and if you like go to CVICU or trauma ICU. You stay in OR you have another specialty to fall back on. OR is hard to get into. If you hate maintaining drips, vents, setting up procedures etc go back to OR. Keep the door open by doing PRN at that same facility in case you jump ship at your ICU gig.

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Specializes in CRNA.

I know 2 OR nurses who thought they wanted to become a CRNA until they went to the ICU. They hated it, and gave up on anesthesia. One told me that he did not like having to worry about the patient's blood pressure. I told him that he would not like anesthesia! I know another OR nurse that did become a CRNA. Burning your bridge to return to the OR is something to think about.

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PRN and Per Diem are basically the same thing. And in my opinion, you could transfer as soon as you could to ICU, it will just be more challenging to do that with less than 1 year experience.

Ah, I see what you're saying. So it would be a better idea to get one year of operating room experience then transfer to ICU?

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I believe I'll be placed in a trauma OR speciality so that will be helpful to know if I can handle some of that. I think that's what I miss though... I haven't had a taste of it because I'm a new grad int he Operating Room but I miss doing a lot of meds, talking to patients, day to day bedside procedures.

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Yes. Remember OR you touch nothing. ICU you do everything. Seeing and doing is two different things. Stay in OR to Observe more and if you like go to CVICU or trauma ICU. You stay in OR you have another specialty to fall back on. OR is hard to get into. If you hate maintaining drips, vents, setting up procedures etc go back to OR. Keep the door open by doing PRN at that same facility in case you jump ship at your ICU gig.

The I'll believe I'll be placed replay was meant for you!!

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