When does ICU experience start?

I am interviewing in 2 days for a CVICU position after working 3 years in ER. If accepted for this position, I figure I'll have to work for a full year before even applying to NA school. Does it matter if you only have 6 months experience when you apply, but that by the time NA school starts you will have the requisite 1 yr experience? Or will I just have to wait until I have at least 1 yr and THEN start applying? I appreciate any responses.

Jetman

No way, don't wait, if you KNOW that anesthesia is what you really want to be doing...apply ASAP. Even if you don't get accepted, going through the app process will better prepare you for the next year. I had very limted ICU time when I applied, and got in... mostly ED time. because it's also about your GRE, GPA and how you do on the interview.

thats my 2 cents.

matt

Patriots again baby!!!

HeartICU and matts pats,

There are more sides to this issue. If you apply after only 4 months of experience, you would have just finished the orientation (preceptorship) in the ICU. Some ICU managers would not have seen you long enough to give you a stellar recommendation.

What if you don't get accepted in the first round. Everybody in the ICU will know that you're on your way out ... it may create a touchy situation.

Bottom line: make sure the manager is willing to give you a great recommendation and is somebody easy to get along with.

Obviously, there are more sides to this than just the requisite experience. As you said, make sure you get great recommendations, but remember that the manager's rec is only one piece of the puzzle. Other things, such as GRE, GPA, personal interview, and all the other stuff factor into the admission committee's decision.

If this is what you want to do, apply and put 110% effort into it - the committee will recognize that. As far as whether your colleagues knowing that you are applying to anesthesia school, don't worry about it. Everyone leaves sometime, and they may be touchy whether you leave now or later. Don't let them dictate how you decide when to apply to school.

HeartICU and matts pats,

There are more sides to this issue. If you apply after only 4 months of experience, you would have just finished the orientation (preceptorship) in the ICU. Some ICU managers would not have seen you long enough to give you a stellar recommendation.

What if you don't get accepted in the first round. Everybody in the ICU will know that you're on your way out ... it may create a touchy situation.

Bottom line: make sure the manager is willing to give you a great recommendation and is somebody easy to get along with.

jetman -

i was an ER nurse for 6 years (5 yrs and 6 months to be exact) - when i applied and was accepted to a program - the only one i applied to and the first time i applied....so don't let the CVICU time hold you back

i did complete approximately 8 months in the CVICU the year before i started - i did per diem time in addition to my ER time just to reorient myself with invasive lines and vasoactive medications...

just wanted to let you know it is not inappropriate to go ahead with your plans.

I also got excepted with minimal ICU time......ED for 3.5 years, then ICU for a couple of months (1 year + when school starts)...... school starts Jan 06:)

Jetman--Go ahead and apply to the NA program.. A good friend of mine was accepted to a program with 4 years E.R. experience and only minimal experience in a Cardiac ICU (less than a month).. The one thing you do need though (as mentioned by others here) is someone willing to write that recommendation. Also, you need to sell yourself in the interview, this is the most important part of the process. Many say grades and GRE are most important and its not, at least not in my experience. Anyway, hope this helps!

What do you recommend?

When you get hired for ICU (as a new graduate - can be any critical care position), do you keep your mouth shut about wanting to go to NA school or be honost up front about your future plans and lay your cards on the table? I see advantages to both sides of the coin.

I told my interviewers that it was a possible long-term plan. I tried to plant the idea that I might not stay forever without putting them on the alert. I will complete the two-year commitment I made in any case, so they can't complain.

I had my interview yesterday with the Nurse Manager first and then with a few of the nurses in the CVICU. Both asked, "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?". Had to be upfront and tell them that I was planning on CRNA school, but that I wanted to make sure I was ready first (financially, GRE, CCRN, any needed classes, etc.). This would mean that I would probably not be applying for 2006 but possibly 2007. Not sure if the whole CRNA thing turned them off to me or not. Guess we'll see. Plenty of other ICUs out there even if not CVICU.

Jetman