Need Advice Fast

SRNA4U, BSN, DNP, RN, CRNA · Mar 5, 2011

THere are some programs that will take ER if you are in a Level I setting. I have seen some will also take PACU experience if you tend to get critical care patients before they go to the ICU. My background is OR and med-surg but I must admit, my experience as an ICU nurse has really given me the extra edge to prepare me for CRNA. In the ICU, we use the same drugs that anesthetists use but only in much smaller doses. We tend to do a lot of moderate sedation in the ICU when patients are on the vent. I enjoy titrating my Propofol, Versed, Fentanyl, etc to reach the effect I am looking for. If I were you, I would definitely try and get into an ICU Fellowship program to get the didactic and clinical experience to take care of sick patients. I know many people try to get by with the minimal experience of 1 year but I honestly think 2 years minimum would prepare you really well. I have been in the ICU for a year now and I am still constantly learning new things. When I start CRNA school in 2013, I will have about 3 years under my belt. Last week I helped out with a IABP patient. THis was a truly awesome experience. PACU and ER would defintely not give you the extra experience of working with a critical care patient for 12 hours. Hope this info helps.

Air Force RN

love-d-OR · Mar 6, 2011

Please get some ICU experience

iLovemyJackRT · Mar 6, 2011

Your undergrad gpa and lack of experience are two huge barriers that will prevent you from getting into a program. Perhaps you have done more research than you led on in your first post. However, not trying to sound rude/discouraging at all, but I am guessing you are at least 2 yrs at the minimum of being ready to apply to a program, considering you don't even have ICU experience yet. Also, a year ICU and 3.0 will not get you into a school unless your father is the program director. While your already in those settings, I would get the credentials you can for those floors. Start looking into retaking classes.

Also, do you mind me asking why you want to be a CRNA?

allnurses Guide · Mar 7, 2011

The COA requirement to get into nurse anesthesia school is a minimum of 1yr acute care experience. Schools have a lot of latitude in defining acute care experience. Most civilian schools only except ICU experience to satisfy this requirement. There isn't one type of nursing ICU/ER/PACU/OR etc. IMHO that really helps that much with nurse anesthesia school. NA school is different than anything you will do in any of these settings. What carries over from nursing experience to NA school is the ability to take care of critical patients in acute situations and the ability to deal with stressful situations. I have known ER, ICU, OR, and even an OB nurse become CRNAs. All of those CRNAs did just fine in NA school.

To get into NA school you will need to have a competitive GPA and nursing experience that unquestionably meets the acute care experience requirement. A GPA of 3.0 and M/S, Tele, PCU don't meet those requirements.

My advice would be to take some graduate level classes to show that you can handle the course work, get a job in ICU, or if you can't get a job ICU try to get a job in a large ER.

CVICU14 · Mar 8, 2011

Thank you very much

CVICU14 · Mar 8, 2011

That is my plan

CVICU14 · Mar 8, 2011

Are you a CRNA? I've personally spoken to program directors and did not get responses like this. I plan to take science courses this summer as well. I'm not trying to rush at all. Just wondering . Also, I start my shadowing this week. As to why I want to be a CRNA: I've been practicing as a nurse for 3 1/2 years and I am ready for a new level in nursing, a challenge. I researched different graduate programs and CRNA seems to be the only one worth pursuing. I will admit that salary does play a role, but not entirely. I am a single mother and thinking about the future of my son and I. That is why I am starting to shadow to see if I would actually "enjoy" this. So we will see>>>...

allnurses Guide · Mar 8, 2011

Are you a CRNA? I've personally spoken to program directors and did not get responses like this. I plan to take science courses this summer as well. I'm not trying to rush at all. Just wondering . Also, I start my shadowing this week. As to why I want to be a CRNA: I've been practicing as a nurse for 3 1/2 years and I am ready for a new level in nursing, a challenge. I researched different graduate programs and CRNA seems to be the only one worth pursuing. I will admit that salary does play a role, but not entirely. I am a single mother and thinking about the future of my son and I. That is why I am starting to shadow to see if I would actually "enjoy" this. So we will see>>>...

Yes, I am a CRNA. It is very demanding getting through CRNA school especially if you are a single parent. You will need an awesome social network to help with your child since you won't be around much at all and you should plan on not working the entire time you are in school.

CVICU14 · Jul 21, 2011

Well I am now in the ICU. Taking chem & stats next month. And GRE next month as well. Any other suggestions?

allnurses Guide · Jul 21, 2011

Well I am now in the ICU. Taking chem & stats next month. And GRE next month as well. Any other suggestions?

Start shadowing different CRNAs whenever your schedule allows it.