Random Questions

[bgcornel]

Just a few random questions as I start my last semester of my BSN. How many CRNA's out there do hearts and heads? If you enjoyed it in the unit, do you enjoy it in the OR? Are there any CRNA fellowships, i've seen a few folks listing they have done trauma fellowships but can't find them on the net. Do most programs want you to be working full time in the ICU when you apply or will they take part time ICU time with previous full time for at least a year? Thanks, Happy Post Turkey Day from South Tejas

[ethernaut]

Just a few random questions as I start my last semester of my BSN. How many CRNA's out there do hearts and heads? Well, let's see. most programs provide the experience for students during the program. you will most likely find that CRNAs will do these cases as well as others, since there usually aren't enough of each one individually to encompass a whole day. now, i say usually, but not always. cranes can go for more than one shift. at my facility, students do nothing in the heart room except hold up the wall. so, it also depends on where you are.
If you enjoyed it in the unit, do you enjoy it in the OR? Completely different atmosphere and type of work. You really are comparing apples to oranges. It might behoove you, if possible, to shadow a CRNA during one of these cases and see how much different your job function is.
Are there any CRNA fellowships, i've seen a few folks listing they have done trauma fellowships but can't find them on the net. i too have heard that, but i believe they usually aren't advertised, but more of an "in-house" advertisement of the sort. talking to CRNAs and placement facilities may help finding such things. once in a while you might find a listing on certain job sites and literature such as crnajobs.com or the AANA bulletin.
Do most programs want you to be working full time in the ICU when you apply or will they take part time ICU time with previous full time for at least a year? I think that will be facility/program specific. you might want to contact each one you are interested in and ask them. they will be your best guide.
good luck~

[MmacFN]

How many CRNA's out there do hearts and heads?

If you are talking as an independent practitioner (no MDAs) I would say that is a small population of CRNAs. Numbers wise, i dont know.

If you mean in general, well thats alot of CRNAs. Within the ACT practice CRNAs often do all of these cases.


If you enjoyed it in the unit, do you enjoy it in the OR?

They are not even related. Hearts and Heads in the OR are nothing like what you do in the ICU.


Are there any CRNA fellowships, i've seen a few folks listing they have done trauma fellowships but can't find them on the net.

I have not heard of this.


Do most programs want you to be working full time in the ICU when you apply or will they take part time ICU time with previous full time for at least a year?

I think most programs want a min. of 1 year full time ICU experience and they want it relatively recent. Now what that means to each progam you would have to talk to them directly.


Hope that helps

[Nancicrna08]

I haven't heard of "fellowships" per say....but I have heard that toward the end of your clinical rotations sometimes you get to pick an elective rotation (if your numbers are good and you are meeting requirements) and some of those elective rotations could be in "trauma" or "Peds".....so some may consider those a fellowship? Not quite what I would personally expect a fellowship to be (about a year of intense work in a specific area) but maybe that's what they were talking about. If you hear any different please post it. :)

[skipaway]

Do most programs want you to be working full time in the ICU when you apply or will they take part time ICU time with previous full time for at least a year?
I would highly.....recommend working FT the year you apply to CRNA school.