Too much critical care experience?

[mark2climb]

This is a question for SRNAs and new grad CRNAs but those of you with more experience, please feel free to enlighten us as well.

I have heard in several places that anesthesia is much different than ICU nursing. Beyond the requisite year or two of critical care experience, does anyone think that too many years in the ICU would hamper your thinking as you transition over to being an anesthesia provider rather than a nurse.

If this is the case, what are the differences?

Thanks.

[stanman1968]

You cannot have too much experiance, but with this caveat. Is it experiance in following orders and not learning anything new? That is what makes the difference, the willingness and eagerness to learn. Are you the one taking the sickest patients, always reading and learning? If so no such thing as too much experience, if you are not then perhaps you need to to be.

[Qwiigley, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA]

I gotta agree with The Stan-man! There are so many things that can go wrong with a human being and the time you spend taking care of ICU patients, (a teaching hospital is even better) then you have actual experience at seeing some of the things that you read about in school. Hands-on is Hands-down the best way to go! (excuse my poor humor, I've been on duty for the last 24 hours!!)