1 year ICU schools

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I know that most schools say on their website "1 year ICU" experience, but when I've called some of them say the 1 year must be complete by the time you interview which is usually about 8 months prior to the program starting (ie I would only have had about 4 months of experience at interview). Has anyone who has done the research on this have a list of, or know of some schools that are willing to take people with 1 calendar year of experience before starting the program?? Thanks for any advice!!

I do understand where the longterm ICU nurses are coming from. New ICU RNs require a lot of focused attention and don't stay long if they have anesthesia plans. However, as an SRNA (who worked 2 yrs in the unit) - what else can we do? CRNA programs require one year and often accept after one year. Should I stay in the ICU, working nights for RN wages when I can be advancing myself personally and professionally? The working world is not altruistic and no one enters any unit with a primary goal of making the lives of other nurses easier. Maybe the schools should change the policies. I dunno.

i agree. crna is like a specialty and i think 2 years acute critical experience should be required.

i understand your ambitions and encourage you to go on once you know what you're doing in any clinical situation.

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Specializes in SRNA.

Man - if it weren't for the people wanting to go into anesthesia school, my ICU would consist of 5% staff and 95% agency! Let's face it - working in an inner city Level I trauma center is a great learning experience, but it's not a long-term kind of thing - at least for most.

-S

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1 year of ICU is what the AANA requires. If someone gets accepted with only one year that is the school's choice. There are plenty of applicants for every slot so people who are not prepared are not accepted. Since most schools require evaluations from supervisors and co-workers I believe the weedout process is followed quite well. I understand Athomas's concern but that is the AANA requirement and then it is up to the schools to choose to accept the applicant. I don't blame anyone for getting out of bedside nursing and I find that people who want to pursue any advanced degree other than CRNA are accepted with open arms by the units and given encouragement but mention you want to be a CRNA and you are shunned like the plague. My advice if you are new on a unit and want to go to CRNA school keep it to yourself and lie if anyone asks you (from personal experience) and say you are not interested until it is aplication time.

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I Completly Agree With You. It Is Amazing How This Profession Is So Fearful To Move And Advance. I Have Another Health Care Degree (ms Level) In THAT Profession And In Other PROFESSION Advancement Is Highly Encouraged From Day One. You Will Never Know Everything In The Icu, Patients Are Forever Changing, There Is Always Advancements, New Medications, New Technology. So Those Of You Who Want To Sit In The Icu Forever Because You Feel Like Its Not The Right Time Or I Need To Know More, News Flash There Will Never Be The Right Time And You Will Always Feel Like You Need To Know More. That Is The Sign Of A True Professional, You Will Always Have Questions, You Will Always Research. Nurse Anesthetist Is A Specialty Area Where You Will Obtain Textbook Knowledge In Class And Have The Oppourtunity To Implement Learned Skills In The Clinical Arena. Nursing Is My Second Career, My Entire Purpose Of Going To Nursing School Was To Go Onto Na School. No Offense I Have No Intentions Of Being A Bedside Nurse (some People Love It, It Is Not For Me). I Am Not Afraid Of Challenging Myself And Being Educated. I AM USE TO AUTONOMY AND I CAN'T WAIT TO GET IT BACK. Nurses Should Stop Being Afraid Of Being On Their Own, Trust In Your Abilities. By The Way I Have Now Had 18mos. Experience In An Icu, Where I Had 3 Months Orientation, Have Had A Student Nurse And An Orientee. I Was Accelerated On My Unit Because We Moved From A 10 Bed Unit To A 30 Bed Unit Where 30 Nurses Where Hired After Me And Guest What I Get The Sickest Patients To The Not So Sick Patients, I Have Utilized MANY Gtt'S. You Can Think Of, While Using Various Types Of Ventilators And Modes. In My Unit You Sink Or Swim. Good Luck To All The Nurses Who Want To Become A Crna, I Plan To Attend In 2007.

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wow what a post! It has kept me occupied for the past hour. I am in the same situation as the guy that posted this thread. I plan on doing basically the same thing (Accelerated BSN, 1 year ICU and then CRNA) and I hope I do not catch grief from other nurses. How do you keep your plans of becoming a CRNA on the down low when starting as a new grad? Won't all of the nurses know that is the only reason why you are working their (the ICU)? AA's have no experience as a healthcare professional at all prior to entering thier program. They do however, have to take the MCAT but I think the average score for acceptance is in the low 20's.

Just my 2 cents

SC

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Specializes in SRNA.

Even if you're able to keep it to yourself - which will be very hard especially when your coworkers start announcing that they got in since you'll be bursting with questions - you will have to let the cat out of the bag when it comes time to get your recommendations. Just don't run around saying that the "only reason" that you're in the ICU is for anesthesia school. There will also be a contingent of great nurses with horrible GPAs that can't get in. They don't want to hear about it either and I don't blame them.

-S

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What is considered a horrible GPA? My undergrad gpa is roughly a 3.4 but my pharmD gpa is not so high ~2.9-3.0. Hopefully I can rock out in a BSN program and bring it up. Do you know if most schools require that chemistry courses, etc.. be within x years prior to entry? I am getting the feeling that a lot of the schools really look at the students whole package rather than grades alone. thanks

SC

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Specializes in SRNA.

The school directors around here told me that above a 3.5 was what they were looking for. However, you are right - it's the whole picture so if one thing is low other things need to be high. A good GRE offsets a lower GPA. Good experience, killer interview, etc. As far as grades go, all they're really going to care about is your BSN GPA.

-S

What is considered a horrible GPA? My undergrad gpa is roughly a 3.4 but my pharmD gpa is not so high ~2.9-3.0. Hopefully I can rock out in a BSN program and bring it up. Do you know if most schools require that chemistry courses, etc.. be within x years prior to entry? I am getting the feeling that a lot of the schools really look at the students whole package rather than grades alone. thanks

SC

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Specializes in Day Surgery/Infusion/ED.
it is amazing how many people are asking "how fast can i get in..." instead of what experience will make me the best provider.

Thanks. I'm not even considering becoming a CRNA, but since I work in surgery and ED I come into contact with CRNAs on a daily basis. Some of the "How can I do it quick and easy?" posts scare me.

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