Feeling a little overwhelmed

[Rioplatense]

I'm about to finish my first year of ICU, all the while trying to fit in study time for GRE/CCRN/Balloon pump/WMD for my license renewal, and I either need some encouraging words that this is how the road is travelled, or I need a kick in the pants and to step up the pace.
I also don't know how to gauge my level of ICU experience. I'm in a regular CICU, we don't see too many Swans, I feel like we're a glorified chest pain unit sometimes. I'd like to transfer over to the CVCU, it would be easy, but they are getting called off because our census is low and the open hearts are not coming in like before.
I have alot of pressure coming from my wife to apply to school starting in November/December. She means well, she wants me to succeed, but all she sees is the minimum requirements that schools post. She doesn't realize what it is like to take care of highly acute patients, and that maybe 1 year is not enough, for me at least, to feel competent to do so. I know this is long and winded, but hopefully someone has had the same experience and can share how they made it through

[gearhead7485]

Hey there,
I understand the feeling. Everyone feels a little stressed sometimes. I am in a similar situation and need to clear my head every once in a while. Take a couple hours for yourself. Get away from school, work, family, and everything else. LEAVE YOUR CELL PHONE AT HOME. Do something you can enjoy alone and be relaxed. I have a motorcycle and just take off sometimes for a couple hours to clear my head. Then I am ready to hit it hard again. It always works.

[MmacFN]

Hi Rio

Ill go with the kick in the pants!

1st cudos to you for knowing what you want and being willing to share it here. Thats BIG. Now for the advice ;)

You have one year of experience (almost). You are smart enough to question the 1 year entrance option. Many 1st year RNs feel that they understand what they are doing but the truth is they are still a novices. From my personal perspective one year does not allow for depth of understanding (the Whys).

When you get to CRNA school there is an expectation that you know something of the 'whys'. However, they do teach as if you know little to nothing. Unfortunately, the people with the least experience struggle the most with application and "putting it together" in clinical. On the otherhand they often do fine on the exams since they are so far removed from studying. Keep in mind tho that the "rubber meets the road" in clinical not class.

One thing i have heard over and over again from MDAs and CRNAs in the clinical area is how quickly they can tell the difference between someone with 1-2 years experience and those with 3+ years.

So for the kick in the pants I'd say move ICUs and spend at least another year there before you apply to CRNA school. 1st, you will be a much stronger applicant and second you wont be as overwhelmed with all the new material and/or depth of it. Lastly, you will do much better faster in clinical. Do not let your wife push you into something before you are ready and the best you can be.

Keep us updated and i wish you all the luck with whatever decision you make!





I'm about to finish my first year of ICU, all the while trying to fit in study time for GRE/CCRN/Balloon pump/WMD for my license renewal, and I either need some encouraging words that this is how the road is travelled, or I need a kick in the pants and to step up the pace.
I also don't know how to gauge my level of ICU experience. I'm in a regular CICU, we don't see too many Swans, I feel like we're a glorified chest pain unit sometimes. I'd like to transfer over to the CVCU, it would be easy, but they are getting called off because our census is low and the open hearts are not coming in like before.
I have alot of pressure coming from my wife to apply to school starting in November/December. She means well, she wants me to succeed, but all she sees is the minimum requirements that schools post. She doesn't realize what it is like to take care of highly acute patients, and that maybe 1 year is not enough, for me at least, to feel competent to do so. I know this is long and winded, but hopefully someone has had the same experience and can share how they made it through

[CRNA09]

I personally think anesthesia school seems hard enough when you've had tons of experience- why add the stress of feeling less than confident about your experience. I also agree that you might be happier if you step it up a notch and work in the most challenging setting prior to the application process. It will look better on your application and boost your confidence. I'm not sure about the programs you're considering but could you get some classes out of the way while you're expanding your critical care knowledge and lessen your stress all around. I know no one in my class had only one year experience even that's what the requirements states.

[nojrevorg]

I think that you should definitely grab as much experience as you can in the place you are. CCRN is a nice way to get ahead, and looks good on a interview when you apply. There is a expectation for more than one year in all the programs that I interviewed for. There will be a large amount of applicants in the places that you go, and the more experience you have, the better candidate you will be. Keep up the good work, and dont get discouraged. Learn as much as you can and teach others what you learn. If you can become a mentor for the newb's on your unit it will look good. The whole mentor/mentee thing is the new buzz word in nursing and education. Take advantage of it. Good luck. It is a long education process, and the experience will help you.

[Rioplatense]

Thanks for all the encouragement from everyone. I appreciate the wisdom without any rebutal. This is why I'm a member of this venue, thanks for all the suggestions. I'm not going to stress about how much more that I lack to apply, but how far I've come and accomplished along the way.

[biggripper]

If your gut tells you that you need more time then take more time. I think two years is a more realistic jumping-off point. At the one year mark, I was just beginning to feel half-way competant. Now here I am getting ready to enter school with 5 years behind me and it feels just right.

This is going to be a highly individual thing.

I'd say definitely switch units. Don't rule out MICU. I have worked cardiac, surgical, neuro, and medical...Medical has been the best experience for me. Lots of vents and lots of drips. Go check the unit out before you switch.

Lastly, be as realistic as possible with regard to your experience/skills but don't sell yourself short. I've found I have been guilty of needlessly discounting my skill level in the past.

Best of luck.