1 year ICU experience

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · May 17, 2005

Do people with only 1 year experience get rejected their first application?

Nope.

Laughing Gas · May 17, 2005

IMO the ICU does very little to prepare you for CRNA. There are aspects that are very important, ie fluid management, lines, vasoactives, etc. Depending on the type of ICU you land in these opportunities may be few and far between. Alot of the other things may help somewhat, but will not be drawn on routinely for CRNA school survival, ie alot of other nursing tasks.

Yes and no, there are people who may get what they need in one year. No, people who have a year or less do not get automatically rejected.

catcolalex · May 17, 2005

two of us in my class had less than one year of ICU at the time of application, and a year and a half total at the start of the program. we dont feel any further behind in comprehension or understanding or practice. anesthesia is anesthesia and not ICU nursing.

TexasCCRN · May 17, 2005

I agree with most of the other posters. It is not how much time you have had, but more what you have done with the time. How much experience did you get, what did you get under your belt. Good luck

SaraB · May 18, 2005

Is there anything that does prepare you for CRNA? Like something that can show you'll be good at it?

IMO the ICU does very little to prepare you for CRNA. There are aspects that are very important, ie fluid management, lines, vasoactives, etc. Depending on the type of ICU you land in these opportunities may be few and far between. Alot of the other things may help somewhat, but will not be drawn on routinely for CRNA school survival, ie alot of other nursing tasks.
Yes and no, there are people who may get what they need in one year. No, people who have a year or less do not get automatically rejected.

SaraB · May 18, 2005

How hard was it for you to get good letters of recommendation if you weren't at your unit for long at time of app? Did you feel resentment from co-workers who knew you were looking at CRNA schools?

two of us in my class had less than one year of ICU at the time of application, and a year and a half total at the start of the program. we dont feel any further behind in comprehension or understanding or practice. anesthesia is anesthesia and not ICU nursing.

Laughing Gas · May 19, 2005

Is there anything that does prepare you for CRNA? Like something that can show you'll be good at it?

Well, not really. Alot of the basics are counter intuitive. Until you get hands on experience, not much else matters. The first time you try to mask a patient you'll see what I mean.

Understanding how to titrate fluids and vasoactive drugs is important. Even then the way you do it is different for an anes pt. ie, you don't give 5mg of lopressor all at once. Try to be around for intubations. Be familiar with induction drugs and paralytics and their doses. Look at anesthesia records after you get that fresh AAA out. See what the CRNA gave and did. When you can safely experiment with propofol, try it. Get a good working knowledge of how the drug actually works clinically. Other than that, pretty much all you can do is read. There is nothing else that will prepare you for that swift kick in the cajones when people are waiting for anesthesia, and you realize it's you!

Is there anything indicative of if you will be good at it? Maybe. Are you calm when others are calling for their brown pants? Can you think through stressful times? Can you taylor your skills to fit a difficult person's special needs? Skills are a small part. Paramedics can intubate. IV techs can start IV's. RCMS techs can read ECG's. RT's can start A-lines.

Penny Pinkly · Jun 14, 2005

I have just one question. Most of the CRNA programs that I've looked into all want at least 1 year of ICU experience however most ICU positions I've viewed all want at least 2 years of experience. How, if possible, do you obtain a position in any ICU as a new graduate with no ICU expereince? :uhoh3:

CougRN · Jun 14, 2005

I have just one question. Most of the CRNA programs that I've looked into all want at least 1 year of ICU experience however most ICU positions I've viewed all want at least 2 years of experience. How, if possible, do you obtain a position in any ICU as a new graduate with no ICU expereince?

normally this is because they provide a sign on bonus. so they can dictate how long you stay. if you don't have a contract or sign on bonus then it really won't matter how long you stay. that being said, it may be hard to get a manager to write a letter of recommendation in this setting. so keep looking because this isn't the norm to require 2 years in a certain position.

TraumaNurse · Jun 15, 2005

I have just one question. Most of the CRNA programs that I've looked into all want at least 1 year of ICU experience however most ICU positions I've viewed all want at least 2 years of experience. How, if possible, do you obtain a position in any ICU as a new graduate with no ICU expereince?

When I first entered the nursing field, new grads could NOT get into ICU. You had to have at least some med-surg experience before you could get into the unit. These days, with the nursing shortage, there are plenty of ICUs that hire new grads and have orientations specially designed for new nurses entering critical care.

If you live in an area where the ICUs do not have as desparate a need, then it may be difficult to get your foot in the door, then you may indeed need to get some experience on another floor. If your desire is to go to CRNA school, this would obvioulsy increase the time to reach that goal.

My advice, call the ICUs in your area and see if they are hiring new grads.

avery · Jun 15, 2005

When I first entered the nursing field, new grads could NOT get into ICU. You had to have at least some med-surg experience before you could get into the unit. These days, with the nursing shortage, there are plenty of ICUs that hire new grads and have orientations specially designed for new nurses entering critical care.
If you live in an area where the ICUs do not have as desparate a need, then it may be difficult to get your foot in the door, then you may indeed need to get some experience on another floor. If your desire is to go to CRNA school, this would obvioulsy increase the time to reach that goal.
My advice, call the ICUs in your area and see if they are hiring new grads.

I am wondering if there is anyone who has had only pediatric experience before applying for CRNA school? I am wanting to work in a CVICU in a pedi setting but I am curious as to whether I will be limiting myself if I do so? Are schools that only require critical care and do not specifically require it to be adult care, going to view my application differently than someone who has adult experience? I am about to apply for my internships and I need some advice if there is anyone who is willing to give some! Thanks!