can I get in CRNA school now?

[TJFRN]

Hello all,

I am a nurse for 5 years and have experience in MICU/CCU (high acuity), ER, PACU (MAC only), currently stress lab and will be moving over to our OP holding for the cath lab. My ICU experience is 2 years and I left that job in Nov. 09. I have applications in and on hold at 2 different colleges. I thought I have made a decision not to continue with my goal as a CRNA because of the economy, leaving my job, etc... However the closer I become to getting in an NP program I am regretting my decision. Plus, my husband is encouraging it saying we can do.

My questions are... Have I ruined my chances of applying because of leaving the ICU? Should I return to an ICU as I prepare myself for the GRE and CCRN? I have also had a job offer in a PACU in one of my other hospitals. should I take it? Any suggestions?

Thanks

[loveanesthesia]

I would return to an ICU, especially a surgical ICU if possible. It will make your application stronger and better prepare you for clinical.

[RN1980]

i certainly respect loveanesthesia's reply and concur with what he says. however, i would get my ccrn and apply at the first chance, instead of waiting for a icu spot to come available. you have icu exp and the yrs as a functioning icu nurse under your belt. my rationale is that i have known 3 nurses that got into uab and ut-memphis with past icu exp that were not fulltime icu nurses at time of interview. you might get to the interview and blow them away and be offered a slot. again i say go for it now. good luck.

[ucan2ccrn]

Get back in the ICU ASAP and still start taking masters classess to build your resume (thats what I did). I am in a FNP program with every intention of going to CRNA school (totally convinced after I got my CCRN),which ever comes first. The thing is that you have to do something in the mean time. Hope this helps. And seems like you have a very supporting spouse .

[TJFRN]

I appreciate the responses and I'm heart broken that I left a very good ICU position thinking that I would continue my master's degree in NP, education or administration. I feel though that I would not be happy in any of those positions. I am an adrenaline junkie I love what we (ICU nurses) call "train wrecks" and learning something new everyday. My current job is so boring. But, I took it for the hours, no holidays and no weekends. The ICU that I worked in was very busy, high acuity with 32 beds. I floated to our trauma (surgical) ICU and I even enjoyed those nights. My manager from the ICU called me in Feb. offering my job back... I should have taken it.

Currently I have taken all the master level courses that I can without being in a program. I also took a organic chemistry, biochemistry combination class that Barry University offers to those interested in their CRNA program. I have sent an email to one of the colleges that I have my application in at offering advice on what I should do to make my application stronger. However, my mind is telling me to get back in an ICU to brush up on those skills.