When EXACTLY does your ICU experience begin???

So, I know there is that one year minimum ICU experience before actually starting a nurse anesthesia program given you are accepted into one but...when exactly can you start counting your ICU experience?

I just passed the NCLEX and am applying to new graduate ICU programs and I know that these programs I am applying to have tons of class and clinical education before actually being on your own in the ICU (these new grad programs range anywhere between 3-5 months of preceptorship and didactic coursework).

Sooooooo...if I were to start say October 1, does that mean my ICU experience starts October 1 as well? Or does it start from the day I am actually by myself which would probably be more like February 1 given I started October 1?

Thanks in advance for your replies everyone!!

Date of hire is when it starts.

From reading this and other nurse anesthesia forums, it seems that schools do not really count the time you are in orientation. But the best way to know for sure is to contact the schools you are interested in and ask them directly. Good luck!

~ Jen

Most applicants will used the October 1 start date, but as you state oreintation of 3 months is typical. That why some programs require the two years.

programs usually want your one year of experience to begin when you are off orientation.

I believe it to begin on 1st day of work (meaning even orientation).

From the first day that you are working in the ICU (yes counting orientation), you are an ICU nurse. You start learning and practicing from day one. Of course, you are more official when you are off orientation, but I'm sure the schools just want a very close approximate. There not that technical, wanting the exact down-to-the-minute time that you started (as one of the previous post suggests). Good luck and have fun!