Transfer to SICU?

[starbuckRN]

Hi everyone,

After reading everyone's threads for months I decided to join. I am currently a nurse, working on a cardiac step-down unit. My goal in life is to become a CRNA. I am currently going to school for my BSN and should be done in about 2 years. Here's my question: Should I transfer to the SICU now (which will be FT midnights) or should I stay on the cardiac step-down unit where I work part-time days in order to finish my BSN quicker, then transfer to the SICU? Please help. I need suggestions!

[Putu2Sleep]

I would go ahead and switch to the SICU as soon as you can and rack up that experience. You can get your BSN at the same time. It might be a little harder cause you'll be new to the SICU but the experience you will have will benefit you in the long run. GOOD LUCK!

[gasmaster]

I agree with Putu2Sleep. Unless you want to wait even longer to apply to school go ahead and make the move. The step-down hours aren't going to count towards the required experience.

[whatnext]

I'm not a CRNA or CRNA student yet, but here's my 2 cents....I would transfer to SICU if possible. I worked full time nights and did my RN-BSN, and switched from CV step-down to STICU (in a different hospital so I had to learn new hospital stuff too) halfway through the program. I still got a 4.0 in my program. You have to have at least 1-2 years of ICU exprerience anyway, so why not get the experience and get your BSN. It sounds like it might take you a little longer, but otherwise it will take you even longer before you can apply to CRNA school. I know people that have been accepted to school before finishing the BSN program, they just had to have the BSN before CRNA school started.