How many years experience did you have before CRNA school?

[ADMIN]

As a spin off of the other thread, How many years Nursing experience did you have before CRNA school?

[TranMan]

2.5 years in PICU. By the time I started school, it was 3. Before that I worked as a tech in the ER and medsurg while in undergrad nursing school.

[RN29306]

ER tech for a year while in last year of nursing school.
3 years FT in ICU with part time gigs in ER, PACU, Interventional Rads, and EMS.

[NursePink]

7 years in various types of ICU - mostly cardiac.

[gobucks1013]

One year as a float RN to all med-surg units and some step-down units in a large, teaching-based, Level I trauma center just out of nursing school. Took a FT position in SICU in the same hospital and worked 4 years in that unit prior to anesthesia school.

We took care of cardiothoracic, neurosurg, surg oncology, transplant (kidney, liver, heart and lung), gen surg, trauma, vascular and burns. We were also the MICU overflow. Kind of a jack of all trades.
Awesome unit from which to get plenty o' critical care experience.

Don't mean to offend anyone out there, but I, too, am of the belief that 1 year in an ICU is nowhere near enough. My advice if you are all about getting into CRNA school on the fly, get into a high acuity ICU right out of undergrad and give yourself 2 solid years to gain some experience.

You'll be grateful for it!

[MmacFN]

2 yrs medic, 9 years RN

4 years FT CVICU and ER
last 5 years FT as a flight RN
and partime/pool CVICU/ER

[Lizpicurn]

My experience consists of 3.5 years in various PICU's. I traveled 2 of those years with some long term contracts. I recently have transitioned to a large 40 bed adult SICU/MICU level one trauma center.

[RAYMAN]

Five years CVICU; 3 years SICU, which was a 30 bed level I combined SICU/MICU/NICU; 7 years apheresis. Fours years active duty US Navy, 4 years for Muzak; 3-4 years landscaping and manual labor; 2 years pizza hut; 2-3 years cleaning out my dad's boss's horse stalls and other menial tasks........my how life is a circle! Started cleaning shiit and finished by cleaning shiit.........hmmmm

[smiley]

Wow, what a wealth of experience some of you have!

Humbly, here's mine:
*3 years EMT-I
*1.2 years in a rural 25 bed hospital where you do it all: ER, OB, Med/Surg and ICU(more like a step-down)
*1.8 years in a 30 bed Med/Surg/Neuro ICU

[skipaway]

2.5 years as a Med-Surg/Telemetry/Trauma/Cardiac nurse (great floor!) at MCG in Augusta

3.5 years as a Surgical ICU nurse at MCV GSICU.

During school I did some (very little) PRN work at a community ICU.

[johnbordwine]

5yrs. all ER/trauma...and all the other folks that came from upstairs or that we held over because the house was full. (not that EVER happens anywhere else! hahahaha...) 37 beds, 3 bed trauma bay, 5000+ pts. per month.
never a dull moment...

[tlberryrn]

11 years as an RN. My first year was med/surg, then 5 years in the ER, 3 yrs as a flight nurse, and 2 years in the SICU.

Travis

[athomas91]

6yrs ER/trauma
1 yr CVICU

[CougRN]

1 year in a Med/Surg ICU in a very large teaching hospital after a 3 month internship prior to starting FT in the unit, got accepted then spent another 8 months in the PACU of the same hospital.

Personally I don't find it offensive if you have an opinion different than mine, that's going to happen. But I know I haven't struggled in school and neither have the other people I'm close to in school or just out of school who had only a year experience at the time they were accepted in to school.

[CRNA06]

10 Years. Mostly Trauma/Surgical ICU but also Neuro ICU, CVICU, MICU and some ER. I was also a flight nurse for 1.5 years prior to anesthesia school.

[SproutCRNA]

Worked as a paramedic while in nursing school and then spent 7 years in the Trauma/Surgical ICU at a level 2 trauma center.

Sprout :nurse:

[BluGas]

2 years on a surgery ward

1.5 in years in SICU/MICU

[vadrn]

3 years general ICU, basically everything except CV.
4 years Interventional Radiology
2 years Cardio-Pulmonary Transplant ICU, included general CV surgery patients, RVAD/LVAD pts, as well as transplant pts.

[AmiK25]

Two years in a large Medical/Surgical/Trauma ICU in a level I trauma center (one year before applying, one more year before school started). I did work in this same ICU as a student nurse extern for 2 years while in nursing school and the nurses were really great about getting me actual nursing experience. Once I graduated, I was actually able to take care of two sick patients on my own. (Of course, I had questions, but who doesn't). I will also say that I respect your opinions on the experience thing but I think it is VERY individualized. I have had no problems in school and neither have the other students in my class who only had one year before applying (I think there are 3-4 of us).

[lgscrna]

Interesting thread. I don't think that having one year experience and "not having a problem" in school relate to one another. You don't learn what you need to know about anesthesia as an ICU nurse. Ideally, you become familiar with complex pathophysiological issues and invasive monitoring protocols.

The beauty, of course, of not having extensive experience is that you have no idea what you don't know and are free to make comments about not having problems with the anesthesia curriculum. That being said, I think it more important to gauge the quality of an applicant's experience rather than the quantity. It is this that most interests me in the interview process. I do also find it reassuring when people with less RN experience concede they may not be as prepared as those with more experience. It encourages me to believe that they will be capable of learning more than just what may be in the books.

In my own case, I was a Navy hospital corpsman with a year of clinical experience and 2 years as an OR tech before I went to nursing school. After my BSN, I had two years in CCU and one in the ER. I was also the only CCRN in my hospital (Great Lakes Naval).
I did find the OR experience helpful once clinical anesthesia began. My program (the Navy Nurse Corps Anesthesia Program) was front-loaded didactically. I worried that I would not have sufficient time to get the requisite 450 cases in the 15 month clinical. I did some 1400 cases in my own clinical, but we were on call every third night, saw our own preops on Sunday afternoons (and every workday), and stayed in the OR until our room finished, before then seeing preops. It was slightly different than the way things go now.

Regards, Lou

[RAYMAN]

I was also the only CCRN in my hospital (Great Lakes Naval).
Regards, Lou[/QUOTE]

Ahhhh....great mistakes, IL...........spent almost a year there including a brutal winter in 84-85.

ray

[vigilent1]

2yrs aide, 3years Army nurse active(ICU, ER, Med Surg, Psyche) , 3yrs VA mdctr ICU, 3yrs civilian ICU small hospital. Life is great.

[yoga]

Oh, how times have changed!! I worked for 6 months as a graduate nurse in a medical unit. When I found out I passed my RN boards I was accepted into the next anesthesia class. I was 21 years old.

The funny part is that I learned anesthesia very well and believe me, it was much harder then without ventilators and monitors. We were required to read, read, read and be able to apply our knowledge to the clinical area. Took OB call alone after 2 months and regular OR call after 3 months. Our education was much more the medical model than the nursing model.

Also, they gave us room and board and a monthly stipend; there was no tuition and they bought our books. Of course, we got no degree, but later I was able to transfer my classes to qualify for a degree.

This information is for historical purposes only and has nothing to do with the way things are done today. But all of you should have a sense of the historical basis and background of our profession.

Yoga

[Captain Quinn]

one year in a level 1 990 bed facility working on the Medical Pulmonary ICU and on the code team. 10 months as an agency nurse working in hospitals with 12 to 20 bed ICU's; mostly CVICU's.

[Merlin]

3 years as ER tech and paramedic while in nursing school
1 yr tele
2.5 years ICU (CTICU and STICU) Level I
3.5 years ER- various places, high acuity

[gasmn2b]

3 months telemetry,
8 years Medical ICU 12 beds,
1 year acute bedside HD :boring: (non-compliant patients:aargh4: ),mixed in while still prn in MICU

MI was a hodgepodge of everything except CV surgery, and
no transplants at our facility.

Definitely no shortage of patients or level of acuity in 600+ bed facility

However, now that I am in school, I don't miss it in the least

[darienblythe79]

5 Years.
2 and a half full time in a 52-bed CV recovery/ICU(transplants, artificial hearts etc.)
1 and a half in ICU float pool
1 year in a dedicated(no patient assignment) Rapid Response Team/ICU Float pool prn

[casualkid]

1.5 yrs ICU

[cathys01]

I have a question for you guys. I am currently a Neonatal ICU nurse in a small mixed Level II/Level III unit. I've been there about 2 years and am considering moving to another hospital and applying for a CVICU internship in the summer at one of the large heart centers in town (couldn't do this upon graduating with my ADN because the two heart centers wanted BSN grads only). I am also completing my BSN and will be graduating Fall 07. My question is: Is one year CVICU sufficient to be a COMPETENT ICU nurse, given that I would have 2 1/2 years previous ICU experience, but with a different specialty?

I am considering several routes of applying for CRNA school. 1) I could apply with 3 years NICU experience just after completing the BSN and start school if I were to be accepted with that. 2) I could apply with 3 years NICU experience and still move to CVICU so I will have adult ICU experience (whether I get accepted with NICU or not). 3) I could move to CVICU and wait until I have at least a year under my belt before applying.

My gut tells me to just go ahead and make the move to CVICU with the next internship class and proceed with my BSN to graduate next fall. Assuming I get accepted, by the time classes start I would have 1 year of adult experience, along with the 2 1/2 years NICU.

Does anybody know anybody who got in with only Neonatal ICU experience?

Other info about me: overall GPA 3.79, science and math GPA 4.0, nursing GPA 3.55 Have not yet taken GRE or MAT. Oh, and I'm 36.

Okay, I guess that was more than one question!!

[MmacFN]

My personal opinion

You will be great. Your NICU experience will be invaluable and with a year CV what would you really be missing. Your not a new RN and alot of it wont be new!

Apply already!

[RAYMAN]

Cathy, I know there are crna's out there with only nicu experience so it can and has been done, but most schools do require the adult icu experience. I work with a nurse that only worked nicu for over 20 years....we thought it would be very difficult for her to adjust to taking care of adults in a completely different environment....boy were we wrong. She not only hasn't had any problems, but she has excelled and adapted without any problems. I used to work with a nurse that was a respiratory terrorist in a childrens hospital. She had gotten her bsn and the only reason she was there was to get her one year of adult experience and apply to na school. She was an excellent icu nurse, though not happy with her environment. She applied asap and was accepted. Good luck..sounds like you got it goin on!

Ray

[jackson74]

By the time I start in august 07: 1 yr ER, 2yrs Neurosurg ICU, 4yrs MICU/SICU/CCU (2.5 of those years were as a traveller)

[Frogger]

1.5 years at time of acceptance, 2 years when my program starts. Medical ICU/CCU (recovery of open hearts)

[alanrmui]

2 years step down cardiac telemetry

8 years Cardiac Surgical Intesive Care Unit

8.5 years Cardiac Cath Lab

[SorenDrake]

1 year nurse aide on tele unit, 1 year nurse intern in trauma center, 1 year RN in trauma center, a little over 1 year in general CCU-I specialized in open heart recovery.

While I felt very comfortable applying to programs after 1.5yrs, I attribute that comfort with the fact that the experience I did have was...quality...if that makes sense. I am one of those people has always been worried that there were so many things I don't know, and I was always searching/researching/reading in an effort to abate that feeling. Hasn't gone away yet...which is why I'm loving school! I agree that the experience debate is totally individual, which is obviously what most schools think as well!

[Idaho-RN]

4 yrs Aide
2.5 yrs Tele/Step Down (CCU)
1.5 yrs CVICU (When I start)

I definetly feel like I don't have enough experience (which I think will drive me to study and seek learning experiences that much more). You can't wait until you feel comfortable in every setting, because there will always be something you haven't seen.

Phil

[944S]

1 yr Critical Care Stepdown fulltime
2.5 yrs CVICU/ICU/ER fulltime
3.5 yrs Flight RN fulltime
1 yr CVICU fulltime to get "Current"
Part time instructor for alphabet classes at community college for the last 5 yrs

[DebbieC]

one year on a 48-bed med surg floor (aahhhh, the old days of team nursing.....)
1.5 years in a med-surg ICU some open-heart, but fairly low-acuity, non-teaching hospital
5 years in an ICU that was first med-surg, then was surg.Extremely high acuity unit at Univ. of Pittsburghs flagship hospital. Like a MASH unit: trauma, neuro trauma, radical head/necks, gen surg, all transplants-heart, heart-lung, single and double lungs, and livers in Starzl's first years at Pitt (those pts were a mess, let me tell you), and high risk cardiac,vascular, thoracic. We did our own HD at the bedside, and then worked with SCUF, then CVVHDF. VADs during the very first years. Worked with Jarvik's first artificial heart....Unforgettable experiences.......One of the very first CCM programs in the nation.....Ake Grenvik, Peter Safar, wonderful docs, dedicated nurses, great educational programs.....

Grad school

2 years CV CNS
2 years Transplant Coordinator

Part-time and full-time staff nurse in high-acuity CTV ICU since 1987.

Clinical instructor in said unit for 2 years.

Went back to staff when husband got ill, mostly charge. Part-time staff since husband's death.

[picurn112]

6.5 years PICU
2 years Radiology Sedation Nurse
6 month PACU

[kennysrn]

5.5 years ICU/CCU with an internship straight out school.

[KimQCRNA]

Ok I am obviously the oldest person here!! I had one year med/surg, 14 years inner city ER, 2 years MICU, 1 year SICU, 1 year dialysis, 1 year PAT, 1 year Case Management (where I finally figured out that I had to titrate something to be happy).....so I applied at age 40 (my midlife crisis), got in, and have been out for almost 5 years....should have done it years ago, I love it. What I planned when I graduated was to work for a few years and then go Locum. Which is what I am doing next week! Friday I did my last day at a full time job.....very scary but exciting too.....so I will work less and make more.....good luck to all of you......put it in God's hands, the best place to be!!

[MmacFN]

cool Kim!

Sounds like you have had a great experience!

[JesterRN]

5 and 1/2 years in various EDs, all level II centers. Transferred to CVICU for approx. 7 months prior to starting NAP.
Total=a little over 6 years
Wish I had spent a little more time in the CVICU or in the SICU, but doing fine at this time!

[Hold'emRN]

I had 5 months experience in CVICU and 1 and half years as an anesthesia tech when I was accepted to anesthesia school.

[zippys2k21]

1 year- Telemetry
1.5 years- CTICU (pediatric and adult)
.5 years to present- Resource team (all ICU's, ED)

[Happyin09]

I just got in for Fall 2007!!!!!!!!!!!! UMDNJ class of 2009!!!!!!!! So happy!!! Thank you all for helping me with the all the questions I had about the interview!
:focus: I had 3 years of critical care exp. as Respiratory Therapy than 4 years as Critical Care Nurse in the CCU and CTICU.
Thank you!
Y :beerglass:


As a spin off of the other thread, How many years Nursing experience did you have before CRNA school?

[ADMIN]

added to SRNA grp!

Congratz!



I just got in for Fall 2007!!!!!!!!!!!! UMDNJ class of 2009!!!!!!!! So happy!!! Thank you all for helping me with the all the questions I had about the interview!
:focus: I had 3 years of critical care exp. as Respiratory Therapy than 4 years as Critical Care Nurse in the CCU and CTICU.
Thank you!
Y :beerglass:

[MmacFN]

congratz!

[custoomer]

0.5 years Med-Surg
8 years ED.
2-3 years CVOR.
1 year PACU.

Start CRNA school June 07!!

[wtbcrna]

LVN for 2 yrs:
10 months at LTC facility
15 months as a Tx prison nurse

RN:

1yr Level 1 Trauma center med-surg ICU & PACU
Joined AF in 2002:

So far I have been stationed at two bases;
Sheppard AFB:
ICU, ER, Acute Care Clinic, Student Health clinic, part-time in civilian med-surg ICU.
Keesler AFB (Biloxi, MS):
ICU, ER, First-Aid Station (after Katrina), Local VA ER, & Eglin AFB's ICU as manning assist.....Oh yeah and temporary duty as pine cone picker upper after Katrina also.....lol

Probably not quite your typical NA background...

And now off to USUHS in Md for NA school....I leave this coming up Friday.

[757FR]

2 years med surg, 5 years ICU before I had the guts to apply.

[blw7200]

Immediately prior to school I worked for 5 years as a full time FNP (ER and ICU in Iraq) and worked PRN as a ICU nurse and rural hospital ER ( as mentioned before, must do anything). Before that I worked in various military and civilian ICU's from NICU to SICU. for about 5 years. I started my healthcare life as an ER tech for 2 years while working on my BSN.

[KZP, SRNA]

10 years . . .

a little bit of everywhere,


med/surg
Occupational Health Nurse @ Harley Davidson (most fun)
ER (most interesting)
ICU (most intellectually challenging)

[PropofolDiva]

My friend got into the program at Barry in FL with only 1 year NICU experience, she did have previous OR experience. She has graduated and is not practicing as a CRNA.............. so it can be done.

[MmacFN]

Why isnt she working as a CRNA?

or was that is NOW working as a CRNA?



My friend got into the program at Barry in FL with only 1 year NICU experience, she did have previous OR experience. She has graduated and is not practicing as a CRNA.............. so it can be done.

[PropofolDiva]

oops NOT = NOW

[DC432AO]

I had 1 year of PICU experience and will have 8 months of SICU/TNCC experience before school.

[gman215]

another useful post would be at what point of your career training did you know you wanted to be a CRNA?

[MmacFN]

great idea!

U can make one in the passing gas forum if yah like!

[Teillard]

.

Don't mean to offend anyone out there, but I, too, am of the belief that 1 year in an ICU is nowhere near enough. My advice if you are all about getting into CRNA school on the fly, get into a high acuity ICU right out of undergrad and give yourself 2 solid years to gain some experience.

You'll be grateful for it!


Agreed. I think time would be better spent if the req were 3 yrs CC. I wish more emphasis was on that than the PhD on the other end. The PA's are coming and unless the pre-anesthesia training clinical req's are tightened up, it'll be harder to make the point that RN's have it all over them. There are some pretty experienced folks who become PA's, from all over the medical field and a year or even two in some unit right out of school isn't a credible model for entry into anesthesia training.

[armygas]

I just realized that I never responded to this thread. I just want everyone to remember there are exceptions to every rule.

My experience:

4 years as a Labor and Delivery nurse at The New York Hospital in Manhattan

Mick

[leebertn]

25. Always wanted to be a CRNA...life just got in the way. I've been in school now for 6 weeks.

[Nancicrna08]

Ha Ha...I've spent some time at Great Mistakes too as a Surgical Tech...GO NAVY! It took me 12 years in the OR to finally decide to "Just Do It" (I was very comfortable) and become a nurse. Spent 5 years as an OR nurse (again...very comfortable) then 3.5 years in a CTICU and then CRNA school.

[Scout]

2 years ER (Level 1 trauma and medicine), 1 year interventional radiology, and 6 years ICU- huge unit of: cardiac, medicine, general surgery, neurosurgery and trauma ICU.

[deuce0]

1.5 years when I start in January.

[kly002]

7 years critical care: 1 yr in surgical stepdown; 2yrs in SICU/TICU; 4yrs in CTICU.

[pilot424]

It kinda hurts to admit this. After being in the unit, a very busy unit at that, I really do wonder if I would be ready for CRNA school in a year. I believe I feel that way because even though I don't know the particular interventions necessary to handle a crisis situation that may occur in the unit, I do understand many of the potential situations that can occur. What I mean to say is, you can perform a cookbook anesthesia plan for a patient that the outcome is always what you envisioned, a good one. The test of mettle occurs when that patient goes south on you in surgery and you are faced with DECISIONS. Taking action and performing interventions with as much confidence in your decisions that you had in the cookbook plan. I think the experience of having critical patients going bad on you in the unit and your ability to maintain a cool head, having the knowledge to apply appropiate interventions in a timely manner and to critically think your way through the myriad of circumstances only comes from experience. I have really been humbled by the complexities of life and death events in the unit that happen when least expected. The ever vigilent attention to the patient by developing assessment skills that allow you to pick up on even the most subtle changes in your patient can only be honed by experience, not by waiting for an alarm to sound. Simply putting in the time,(one year ICU), means nothing if you did not get the critical experience. I say all this with only 14 weeks in SICU. I want to be at a point of feeling very confident in managing my critical patients in their critical events. Maybe,????, in a year to two years I will, but I can honestly say at this point I don't know how long it will take.

[ethernaut]

It kinda hurts to admit this. After being in the unit, a very busy unit at that, I really do wonder if I would be ready for CRNA school in a year. I believe I feel that way because even though I don't know the particular interventions necessary to handle a crisis situation that may occur in the unit, I do understand many of the potential situations that can occur. What I mean to say is, you can perform a cookbook anesthesia plan for a patient that the outcome is always what you envisioned, a good one. The test of mettle occurs when that patient goes south on you in surgery and you are faced with DECISIONS. Taking action and performing interventions with as much confidence in your decisions that you had in the cookbook plan. I think the experience of having critical patients going bad on you in the unit and your ability to maintain a cool head, having the knowledge to apply appropiate interventions in a timely manner and to critically think your way through the myriad of circumstances only comes from experience. I have really been humbled by the complexities of life and death events in the unit that happen when least expected. The ever vigilent attention to the patient by developing assessment skills that allow you to pick up on even the most subtle changes in your patient can only be honed by experience, not by waiting for an alarm to sound. Simply putting in the time,(one year ICU), means nothing if you did not get the critical experience. I say all this with only 14 weeks in SICU. I want to be at a point of feeling very confident in managing my critical patients in their critical events. Maybe,????, in a year to two years I will, but I can honestly say at this point I don't know how long it will take.

hey pilot,
on the flip side, i can definitely say that if i EVER went (and i don't plan to) back to the unit, i would definitely be able to handle any critical pt/scenario and do much more for them than i was potentially able to before i entered school. for what it's worth, CRNA school will definitely make you a better practitioner. even though the bedside drifts away, there will always be stretcher-side and OR table-side care...
keep getting invaluable experience.
i too had doubts upon entering school with similar thoughts as you.
i can tell you i am glad i leapt.
i'm sure you will be too...

[MmacFN]

Pilot.

You are a rare individual and i applaud you for seeing what most do not. You realize that "you dont know what you dont know". Awesome!



It kinda hurts to admit this. After being in the unit, a very busy unit at that, I really do wonder if I would be ready for CRNA school in a year. I believe I feel that way because even though I don't know the particular interventions necessary to handle a crisis situation that may occur in the unit, I do understand many of the potential situations that can occur. What I mean to say is, you can perform a cookbook anesthesia plan for a patient that the outcome is always what you envisioned, a good one. The test of mettle occurs when that patient goes south on you in surgery and you are faced with DECISIONS. Taking action and performing interventions with as much confidence in your decisions that you had in the cookbook plan. I think the experience of having critical patients going bad on you in the unit and your ability to maintain a cool head, having the knowledge to apply appropiate interventions in a timely manner and to critically think your way through the myriad of circumstances only comes from experience. I have really been humbled by the complexities of life and death events in the unit that happen when least expected. The ever vigilent attention to the patient by developing assessment skills that allow you to pick up on even the most subtle changes in your patient can only be honed by experience, not by waiting for an alarm to sound. Simply putting in the time,(one year ICU), means nothing if you did not get the critical experience. I say all this with only 14 weeks in SICU. I want to be at a point of feeling very confident in managing my critical patients in their critical events. Maybe,????, in a year to two years I will, but I can honestly say at this point I don't know how long it will take.

[jgaither_1956]

15 months in CICU as RN. Prior to that, 12 1/2 years as Perfusionist and before that 11 1/2 years as a Registered Respiratory Therapist.

[MmacFN]

Holy geesus!

How did you like being a perfusionist?


15 months in CICU as RN. Prior to that, 12 1/2 years as Perfusionist and before that 11 1/2 years as a Registered Respiratory Therapist.

[jgaither_1956]

Alot better than being a RT! The RT was an associates degree and perfusion was a certificate....So when the cardiologists at our facility hired their own CT surgeon and stopped sending patients to the surgeons group I worked for, I decided to get a 4 year degree that I could do something with besides hang on the wall. The MDAs and CRNAs had told me of the shortage of CRNAs so it occured to me to go for the BSN and then Grad school. When I told my wife of my idea, she groused for about a week then said go for it. That was summer of '03 and now I'm in my first semester of CRNA school.

[6hipguns]

That's great, I admire people who aren't afraid to make a big change after their 20's. You are the type of person the AA programs want, what made you decide to go for the BSN, then CRNA route? Of course I think you made a very good choice!

[jgaither_1956]

I'd looked at AA but it was easier (?) to get BSN close to home and not uproot the wife (BSN also). I had already taken some prereq's for a BS in cardiopulmonary science (resp.therapist) just to get a bachelor's degree. As I progressed part-time, I realized that I enjoyed school and decided to go on and get a Master's while I was at it. Way after determining the CRNA route, my Bro-in-law (an MDA) told me that there are PhD's applying for AA schools cause they don't make jack as chemists, biologists etc. I found that an interesting slant.

[Scout]

Funny, when I started school (SRNA), I realized I wasn't very prepared for anesthesia after 3 years ER (medicine and level 1 trauma), 1 year in interventional radiology, and 6 years of GICU (medicine, surgery, neuro, trauma, general surgery- no transplant or open hearts).I think the experience is great, and has helped me in the OR. However, it made class time more difficult. I know in A&P, I struggled because I couldn't relate to the "normal" person. I looked at a pathway and saw the very end result, not the intermediate phase most people live in. Anyway, I guess I am saying the balance is difficult to find. There is such a thing as too little or too much. Once again, just my 2 cents.

[MmacFN]

Hmm

Well i would say that you cant never have too much experience but certainly have too little. Not only would the new person with little experience not see "normal" but they also would be devoid of the experience to fall back on.

So too little yes, too much no.

[MmacFN]

ehe

is that what the ASA is telling him? What I have seen based on reading their school websites is that the majority of entering AAs now are "experience free" young people.

[Scout]

I just meant too much in the perspective you take. I did fine, but I won't lie and say didactic was easy. For some, I watched them able to accept concepts without question and do well on exams because they hadn't seen anything different than what the books presented. Being the over- analyzer I am, I would think about situations and rationalize my way out of correct answers.
Another draw back to little experience would be not contributing to all the "war" stories from the ER's and ICU's at 3am on a study break!

[MmacFN]

Hhahahah

Oh yer so right! When you dont know the difference between clinical and book you cant "overthink" anything :) Could be bad for tests, but will make u a better SRNA in clinical and CRNA on graduation!

[chemRN]

I have been reading this website for a long time and have learned a lot from all of you. So thank you.

My story is wierd...

I knew that I wanted to go into the medical profession when I was in college; started premed and then figured out nursing was really where I wanted to be. My school didn't have a program and I thought that teaching might be a better path for me (I don't know why, but it also didn't involve transferring schools either). So while going to school to get my undergrad degree in Chemistry and Secondary Education, I worked as an EMT-I for 4 years. After I graduated, I worked as a high school teacher for 3 years and decided I still really wanted to be a nurse. I went back to school, graduated with my BSN and got a job working in an ICU...which brings us to today. I really love teaching (I just didn't like the motivation levels of the students I was working with) and I really love nursing, and so I have decided that ultimately, I would love to work as a CRNA and teach CRNAs as well.

I've read all of the posts about the lack of experience you have after working as an ICU nurse for only one year and then applying to CRNA schools. I am considering applying to only one school for next year and basically getting my name out there to let them know that I am interested. I know that the chances of me getting into school this next year are quite slim, and my question therefore is this...is it stupid for me to complete my application?

I am very good at knowing what I don't know. I learned this beginning with working as an EMT and throughout my education and teaching and now as a nurse. I love the excitement of the ICU and all it has to offer.

Thanks for your thoughts. :nurse:

[Nancicrna08]

Applying for a position you want is never a stupid thing to do- it's the way to obtain your goal. I say apply and see what happens- you might be pleasantly suprised! Sounds like you have alot of determination and experiences- something a program director looks for.

What's the best that can happen....you get into the program.

What's the worst that can happen....you don't get in- but then you can make an appointment with the director and see how you can strengthen your application for the next year, your name is definitely out there, and they have some face time with you as well. You can then work on their recommendations and make yourself a better candidate for the next time- follow their recommendations. This way you'll have more direction as well and know first hand what they are looking for.


If you don't complete the application you won't get in........IMHO
Sounds like the lotto slogan.....gotta play to win.

[chemRN]

Thanks for your comments nanci, I appreciate it!

[m_playman]

3 years as RN in ER. 5 years as Nurse Practitioner, again in ER. Then finally got my head straight and went to anesthesia school. Wish I would have figured it out sooner, but glad to have the experiences under my belt.

[MmacFN]

Hey MP


What made you decided to leave the NP role? How did you feel about it in general and what are you seeing different in anesthesia school?

[m_playman]

A mix of things I guess. I was initially drawn to the ER due to the variety, procedures, and hopes at higher acuity. I had hoped for a hospitalist/intensivist role, but none really existed at the time.

Find that most NP's (and PA's for that matter) are usually running the fast-track/express care/urgent care/etc arenas and are expected to move more patients with less resources than the MD's. Very few opportunities to take the higher acuity patients, and once you did it seemed that you would just "start them" and pass it off to the attending. Basically you're busting your hump for 12 hours while the MD's are double staffed, have 8 hrs shifts, and carry 4 pts on the board, while you have 10-15 and a crosstrained tech. Got old.

It's not that I disliked the NP role. I just found that I really loved the CRNA profession more and felt my career interests were better suited at the head of the table.

Really can't compare the 2 programs; anesthesia is a completely different beast. NP is so much more broad. Even in the acute care option, it's still so broad. You really don't focus in on a particular specialty unless you take an extra rotation or once you start working. No doubt my NP background helps though.

Another great thing is the difference between the major professional associations. The AANA is so much more organized than any NP association will ever be. I think in that regard, they could learn alot from the AANA.

[MmacFN]

Cool

There are alot of NPs who cross over. I think that often NPs are treated like "scut monkies" as PAs always are.

[bk117rn]

I say apply and see what happens. If becoming a CRNA is really what you want to do, then do it. You never know what the faculty are looking for unless you talk with them and/or apply. I interviewed with some faculty that stated "I will teach you everything you need to know" in CRNA school and prior experience is nothing more than a hurdle. Basically students with a lot of experience may actually have an opinion and they just want you to sit back and soak up the knowledge. On the flip side, there are faculty out there on the other end of the spectrum that believe prior experience is extremely valuable to your success as an SRNA and ultimately CRNA. Thus they may recommend working a few more years prior to applying to their program to be more competitive. What I am basically saying is jump in with both feet and hope for the best. Whether you have a ton of experience or not when you complete the program you will be a safe practitioner. Don't get me wrong, I think prior experiences are crucial to developing critical thinking skills that you will carry with you the rest of your career, but you can also develop these as a CRNA. If you don't matriculate the first time make sure to talk with the program faculty about what you can do to make yourself a better candidate and do it. Also apply to multiple programs if this is an option for you. The more the better.

[Sleeptight]

6 months neuro rehab - man did my back hurt
2 years CTICU stepdown
9 years CTICU (5 different hospitals)
Waited till the youngest was in elem school then applied, hopefully fall 08 I'll start.

[gasaholic]

7 years - graduated in summer of 1999.

3 months Telemetry (blah! left as fast as i could)

then

1 year low acuity ICU (the type where patients had hep locks. LOL)

then

6 years ER

[spearfisher]

4.5 years Peds ICU (level I)
1 yr general adult ICU
8 years interventional rad doing sedations on neonates,peds, geri's
2 yrs CVICU.
PRN now while in school but I haven't actually worked. Probably wont either. I'm too busy :laufband:

[armynse]

One year as a float RN to all med-surg units and some step-down units in a large, teaching-based, Level I trauma center just out of nursing school. Took a FT position in SICU in the same hospital and worked 4 years in that unit prior to anesthesia school.

We took care of cardiothoracic, neurosurg, surg oncology, transplant (kidney, liver, heart and lung), gen surg, trauma, vascular and burns. We were also the MICU overflow. Kind of a jack of all trades.
Awesome unit from which to get plenty o' critical care experience.

Don't mean to offend anyone out there, but I, too, am of the belief that 1 year in an ICU is nowhere near enough. My advice if you are all about getting into CRNA school on the fly, get into a high acuity ICU right out of undergrad and give yourself 2 solid years to gain some experience.

You'll be grateful for it!
I agree with that assessment, wholeheartedly. My original plan was to go to ICU straight out of nursing school and apply to CRNA school immediately. I went to ICU immediately and I was immediately overwhelmed. One year just isn't enough time to learn and understand the complexities of the critically ill patient.

In fact, many schools are recognizing this fact and they are now requiring one year of experience that excludes orientation. By doing so, the schools are essentially requiring two years of experience since new grads go through orientations that are anywhere from 3 to 12 months duration.

I found out 3 weeks ago that I will be attending CRNA school in June 2008. When classes start I will have 5 years of ICU experience along with 1 year of ER. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. One year is not enough time to develop knowledge, skill, and confidence.

No offense to anyone...I'm speaking from personal experience. I've worked in ICUs where nearly 80% of new grads were flushed-out and sent to Tele before their orientation period was over.

[P1agu3]

5 years as a ER tech before/during Nursing school
3 years in Trauma ICU before starting CRNA school.

[JennyM]

ER nurse 5 years
Neuro/trauma/peds ICU float pool 1 year
Organ procurement coordinator 1 year

[smileyrn96]

12 years this May (most recent experience first)
1 yr MICU
2 yr ED
2 yr Cardiac step-down--BSN
1 yr clinical cordinator (LTC)
4 yr Nurse manager (LTC)--started work on BSN
1 yr 3-11 supervisor (LTC)
1 yr staff nurse (LTC)--3 yr Diploma RN

[dniki]

I have over 10yrs... I finally finished my bachelors over a year ago (after having a baby who is now 8 and going though a divorce) with the intent of pursuring my goals of going to crna school.. I have my first interview next week so wish me luck.

[93cobra]

By some peoples standards not enough.... will have 1 year 9 months in a SICU (Level I) when I start the program in May. This includes my 12 week orientation.

I saw on another post that some orientations are as long as 12 months? That seems like a long time. I remember near the end of my orientation I was going crazy because I wanted my independence; I can't imagine 12 months of it.

[PropofolDiva]

PostOp Trauma 6 years
OR 7 years
ICU 8 months now....... but will be 1 yr and 2 months by the time I start.

[hondaboy]

10 years ER
2.5 years flight
1 year ICU
1 year trauma ICU

[beekahx4]

8 mo-CTICU
10 mo-CCU
11mo - SICU

[Anthony]

Theres actually some cross over in terms of this topic and the AA topic...


If one of the primary issues that the AANA has with AAs is experience (or lack there of..) - the bar should be adjusted (ie raised) so that this distinction is met & hence requires significant investment in time and effort for prospective students in obtaining and understanding good working knowledge of pathophys assessment and intervention (emergent and nonemergent)

tone

[JulesMc]

I had 17 years RN experience before starting in CRNA school.
1 year in a step-down unit
7 years in a combined ICU/CCU
About 1.5 years in a CVICU
The last 9 years I worked in Staff Development education.
I also worked prn in ICU/CCU to keep up my critical care skills.
I also had experience as a clinical instructor for first year ADN students.

I would agree with the previous recommendation, the more experience the better!!

[KC133]

4 years total...most of it in General ICU (lots of septic,ventilated, over-dripped patients...not a lot of neuro)...last couple of months have been in CVICU (will be 9 months by the time I start school).

[GracefulRN]

WoW! You guys rock out loud.

I have 2 years of CVICU experience at a level 1 trauma center.

Agree that 2 years should be absolute minimum experience required for anesthesia school.

[thompson_brady@yahoo.com]

1.5 years adult ICU/CVICU when I start the program this August or one year at the interview date.
Brady

[Becky423]

I'll have 1 yr 3 months when I start in August 2008. I know I'm the minority and I'll have lots of work to do, but I'm up for it!!!

[KR7]

Hi Becky,

CRNA hopeful here...so, I am going to be trying after a year of critical care to get in, as well.

I think that is it great you got in! What kind of critical care experience do you have that would let them take you at a year and 3 mos.? Also, if you don't mind me asking, what other certifications do you have, what were your grades and gre score? I think, from what I have read, you are among the minority and I want to know your secret!

~Kendra

[rjkt]

2.5 Years OR/ 4 Years CCU/1 Year ICU Float-Neuro/MICU/SICU/CTICU


rjkt

[MmacFN]

I think that OR time will come in handy to know whats going on with these Operations. It takes awhile to really get the jist of what is occuring as someone who has not delt with many of them!

Your set!


2.5 Years OR/ 4 Years CCU/1 Year ICU Float-Neuro/MICU/SICU/CTICU


rjkt

[rjkt]

I think that OR time will come in handy to know whats going on with these Operations. It takes awhile to really get the jist of what is occuring as someone who has not delt with many of them!

Your set!


Hey Mike,

Thanks for the encouragement!!!! Cant wait to start in September!!!!!

rjkt

[akijitsu]

Two big questions to go along with this thread...
1. Why does it seem so many schools are looking for applicants, especially unexperienced ones? The school websites I look at seem to encourage you to apply before you even have one year experience?
2. How do you ask for a letter of recommendation from your supervisor when you have only been there a few months?
I'll be interested to hear anyones thoughts.

[jonlynn]

I have 4 years full time ER at a BUSY ER. And full time flight nurse for 1/2 years. can't believe that when school starts I will have been a nurse for 6 years! I still feel like I'm new at this, and learning all the time. I'm currently flying part time and working full time in an ICU trying to make the most of it. It is WAY not my cup of tea, but I appreciate what I've learned there. I got spoiled to the autonomy of flying and constantly feel like my hands are tied in the ICU by physicians and policies/procedures (ie not being allowed to tube my patient when they need it because i'm "just a nurse".) so frustrating after being able to treat my patient WHEN they need it while flying, not having to get permission for someone else to do it for me.

I'm not sure why schools only require one year experience, but from the results of this thread they get more experienced nurses way more than green ones.
As for letters of recommendation, I had two physicians, one PA, one nurse supervisor, one clinical nurse educator and one peer write letters for me. I'm pretty sure my recommendations got me in the door for my interview, cause GPA and GRE scores aren't impressive.

[ethernaut]

I have 4 years full time ER at a BUSY ER. And full time flight nurse for 1/2 years. can't believe that when school starts I will have been a nurse for 6 years! I still feel like I'm new at this, and learning all the time. I'm currently flying part time and working full time in an ICU trying to make the most of it. It is WAY not my cup of tea, but I appreciate what I've learned there. I got spoiled to the autonomy of flying and constantly feel like my hands are tied in the ICU by physicians and policies/procedures (ie not being allowed to tube my patient when they need it because i'm "just a nurse".) so frustrating after being able to treat my patient WHEN they need it while flying, not having to get permission for someone else to do it for me.

I'm not sure why schools only require one year experience, but from the results of this thread they get more experienced nurses way more than green ones.
As for letters of recommendation, I had two physicians, one PA, one nurse supervisor, one clinical nurse educator and one peer write letters for me. I'm pretty sure my recommendations got me in the door for my interview, cause GPA and GRE scores aren't impressive.
continue to get used to it.
because things like this continue to occur as an SRNA/CRNA.
of course, you can avoid all the BS if you are in a CRNA only group, or where they don't practice the ACT model...

[MmacFN]

Shazam!

[seansean]

1 whole long year.
Will be in clinicals starting August.
So won't know if it'll be a disadvantage till then.
But the fear is beginning to set in.

[spotty]

Less than 1 year--and that was unnecessary--went to a 9 month post baccalaureate BSN program (30 years ago), then worked about 9 months on a med surg floor then anesthesia school. Nursing is not anesthesia--everything I learned for anesthesia I learned in CRNA school--the nursing was unnecessary, and in fact, probably detrimental, due to the nursing mindset. I don't consider anesthesia nursing. BTW, my first job I worked solo covering 5 different hospitals, one of them a large teaching "knife and gun" club hospital, and had no trouble.

[armygas]

Less than 1 year--and that was unnecessary--went to a 9 month post baccalaureate BSN program (30 years ago), then worked about 9 months on a med surg floor then anesthesia school. Nursing is not anesthesia--everything I learned for anesthesia I learned in CRNA school--the nursing was unnecessary, and in fact, probably detrimental, due to the nursing mindset. I don't consider anesthesia nursing. BTW, my first job I worked solo covering 5 different hospitals, one of them a large teaching "knife and gun" club hospital, and had no trouble.

RIIIIGGGGHHHHHHT!! You covered all 5 hospitals by yourself, what did you warp from place to place? "Beam me up Scotty"...... I CALL BULLSHIT!!!!

[Sleptym]

Less than 1 year--and that was unnecessary--went to a 9 month post baccalaureate BSN program (30 years ago), then worked about 9 months on a med surg floor then anesthesia school. Nursing is not anesthesia--everything I learned for anesthesia I learned in CRNA school--the nursing was unnecessary, and in fact, probably detrimental, due to the nursing mindset. I don't consider anesthesia nursing. BTW, my first job I worked solo covering 5 different hospitals, one of them a large teaching "knife and gun" club hospital, and had no trouble.
In regard to a number of the comments made here, it is difficult to imagine how they could pass the test of reasonableness; but who am I to judge? (yea, right). I also feel that Spotty has missed an important part of being a CRNA if he/she feels, or desires to feel, dissociated from nursing.

Finally, remember always the words of Monica Lewinski who said: "I'm voting Republican, because the Democrats left a bad taste in my mouth"..

[Anthony]

Less than 1 year--and that was unnecessary--went to a 9 month post baccalaureate BSN program (30 years ago), then worked about 9 months on a med surg floor then anesthesia school.

.... 30 years ago ....Looking at the time line, we are talking about a Diploma program, are we not, in this case?

[Scout]

Army, have I mentioned lately that I love how direct you are!! Don't hold back.

[MmacFN]

Spotty

With all due respect, 30 years ago is not today and the background in nursing is imperitive. Anesthesia providers who do not have a background in nursing are called Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAs).


Less than 1 year--and that was unnecessary--went to a 9 month post baccalaureate BSN program (30 years ago), then worked about 9 months on a med surg floor then anesthesia school. Nursing is not anesthesia--everything I learned for anesthesia I learned in CRNA school--the nursing was unnecessary, and in fact, probably detrimental, due to the nursing mindset. I don't consider anesthesia nursing. BTW, my first job I worked solo covering 5 different hospitals, one of them a large teaching "knife and gun" club hospital, and had no trouble.

[Sleptym]

Spotty

With all due respect, 30 years ago is not today and the background in nursing is imperitive. Anesthesia providers who do not have a background in nursing are called Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAs).
Ohhhhh, good point, Mike.

[DIGNOUT]

Spotty

With all due respect, 30 years ago is not today and the background in nursing is imperitive. Anesthesia providers who do not have a background in nursing are called Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAs).


Touché! :fencing:

[jamieblu]

I didn't want to respond to this until I was actually accepted, bad voodoo and whatnot...
Anywho, I will have 2 1/2 years in a Medical-Surgical-Neurosurgical ICU by the time I start in January. I have loved every minute of it (except maybe that time the guy peed in my dansko) and would not trade my experience for anything. I love nursing and am looking forward to the torture that is awaiting me...:nurse:

[rollergirl]

I have 5 years as an RRT at a Level I trauma center where RRT's did 99% of intubations outside the OR and inserted all the art lines. We also had therapist driven protocols that allowed us to change vent settings as we felt it was needed and wean as tolerated. I LOVED being an RRT. My hospital was great and RT's were allowed to do what they were taught in school instead of just turning nobs when told to do so.
I will have 2 and a half years as an RN at the same hospital in Neuro ICU. I also loved being an RN here because we had tons of autonomy and respect from our whole healthcare team. I just love healthcare.....Oh, I forgot...I had 6 years experience as medic (EMT) in the AF Reserves. Some of this was during RRT school.

[SodiumChannelMyGrundle]

1 yr cticu

[kitkatcrna]

As a spin off of the other thread, How many years Nursing experience did you have before CRNA school?
5yrs ED experience combined with 3yrs of forensic nursing, 2 years as a Clinical Coordinator( House Supervisor).

[ethernaut]

5yrs ED experience combined with 3yrs of forensic nursing, 2 years as a Clinical Coordinator( House Supervisor).
hey kitkat,
did you like doing this?
i am assuming it was in conjunction with the ER
and specifically rape cases?
i've had an interest from many moons ago,
of course, job market where i am is not-so-good,
and i didn't want to pursue the above avenue.

[kitkatcrna]

I enjoyed forensic nursing during the time I did it. I specialized in child abuse as well as being a sexual assault nurse examiner. Originally, I helped start the SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) in my area and the SANE program was established in the ED where I was working. The job can be very depressing and sometimes unfulfilling because as nurses we like to see an improvement with our patients. However, going to court and helping to convict a criminal of these types of crimes is the best vindication ever for the patients. In fact, just two weeks ago, I was testifying as an expert witness in a double rape trial of two teenage girls that were abducted at gunpoint and brutally raped. Fortunately, they survived and are doing well today. They were only 15 and 16 when it happened, it was heartbreaking. But, the man was convicted on all counts and received 85years without the possibility of parole and when you add in the guilty verdicts on all of his charges, he will be locked up for about 124 years! This was my most fulfulling moment of working in forensics, but, it took seven years for this case to come to trial. There are many new laws that have been enacted in the past few years for victims of crime. The Adam Walsh Act of 2006 has brought about many changes and hopefully, there will be many more unsolved cases that will become solved now. Have a great day!
hey kitkat,
did you like doing this?
i am assuming it was in conjunction with the ER
and specifically rape cases?
i've had an interest from many moons ago,
of course, job market where i am is not-so-good,
and i didn't want to pursue the above avenue.

[beach_grlRN]

Yikes. I just applied at USC for their anesthesia program (and have an interview at the end of the month!)

2 years as a tech while in nursing school floating between a step down unit and SICU
1.5 years as an RN in MICU (also floating to SICU and CVICU)

I feel like I have so much less experience than most of you.. but then everyone I have talked to (CRNAs, RNs, and MDAs alike) have told me to go for it while I'm young, single, and kid-free.

[scm70448]

I have only 8 months ICU exp @ the time I submitted my application, but have 14yrs military medical exp while serving as a Navy Corpsman attached w/ the USMC and have deployed more times to remember including Iraq.

:usa:

[Sleptym]

Yikes. I just applied at USC for their anesthesia program (and have an interview at the end of the month!)

2 years as a tech while in nursing school floating between a step down unit and SICU
1.5 years as an RN in MICU (also floating to SICU and CVICU)

I feel like I have so much less experience than most of you.. but then everyone I have talked to (CRNAs, RNs, and MDAs alike) have told me to go for it while I'm young, single, and kid-free.
Beach:

Go for it while you are young, single and kid-free. Good luck in your interview.

[Medic8]

10 years medic,
10 years RN - mostly ED and ICU -
2 yrs as CNS at Level 1 Trauma Hospital in South Florida

[MmacFN]

You will be stellar in the OR ;)


10 years medic,
10 years RN - mostly ED and ICU -
2 yrs as CNS at Level 1 Trauma Hospital in South Florida

[Jackal4u]

Little over 5 years here.... in an 18 bed Surgical & Neuro ICU. I definately recommend trying to get SICU experience with frequent use of vasoactives as experience before applying. It certainly was an advantage when time to interview.

[mjs5280]

From a wanna be...

3 years ER
2 years ICU (everything...Level I trauma, CV, neuro, etc...)
Last 2 years as a Flight Nurse (amazing experience & autonomy), hopefully 1 more then off to school!!

[mhstovall]

2 yrs CVICU
2 yrs tech in CVICU before that
1 yr tech in float pool before that

[SUPERSTEW]

Can someone please tell me if it's possible to go on to CRNA school if a person strongly dislikes nursing?

I finished nursing school this past May and started my new ICU position in July. I always have to psych myself up to go to work and once on the unit, I feel absolute doom. I love the science of nursing/medicine but bedside nursing is killing me. The thought of having to work for AT LEAST another year or more makes my tummy hurt. I've worked extremely hard the past few years to get into nursing school, work F/T with 3 kids, pass NCLEX, and get into a decent ICU. As I begin my process towards getting into a CRNA school, I struggle with actually going to work in the ICU. I feel lost and frustrated. I'm finishing my critical care fellowship next week, so since July, I've only been on the unit maybe a dozen days--the rest was in class. What can I do? What options haven't I looked at? Does anyone else feel the same? :Flush:

[joeyz]

Five years CVICU; 3 years SICU, which was a 30 bed level I combined SICU/MICU/NICU; 7 years apheresis. Fours years active duty US Navy, 4 years for Muzak; 3-4 years landscaping and manual labor; 2 years pizza hut; 2-3 years cleaning out my dad's boss's horse stalls and other menial tasks........my how life is a circle! Started cleaning shiit and finished by cleaning shiit.........hmmmm

LMAO............The funny part is, all jobs that you listed are very good training for the medical field.

[notnecessarilyanesthesia]

Can someone please tell me if it's possible to go on to CRNA school if a person strongly dislikes nursing?

I finished nursing school this past May and started my new ICU position in July. I always have to psych myself up to go to work and once on the unit, I feel absolute doom. I love the science of nursing/medicine but bedside nursing is killing me. The thought of having to work for AT LEAST another year or more makes my tummy hurt. I've worked extremely hard the past few years to get into nursing school, work F/T with 3 kids, pass NCLEX, and get into a decent ICU. As I begin my process towards getting into a CRNA school, I struggle with actually going to work in the ICU. I feel lost and frustrated. I'm finishing my critical care fellowship next week, so since July, I've only been on the unit maybe a dozen days--the rest was in class. What can I do? What options haven't I looked at? Does anyone else feel the same? :Flush:
you're a new grad. starting out in an icu position like this will make your "tummy hurt". it is quite normal for you to feel this way. i did the same thing, but luckily had seasoned nurses to help me; while also getting a kick out of seeing how much i did not know. it will get better. begin to look at every day being another learning experience. i can't say that i especially "liked" nursing; but icu was the only division of nursing that i thought i could do, whether or not i went on to nurse anesthesia school. hopefully these feelings will subside as you establish a rapport with the other nurses and physicians. sincerely,

[SUPERSTEW]

Thank-you.

Do you leave nursing behind when you go to CRNA school? I don't know a better way of phrasing that. Boy, that sounds bad. I just feel sick.

[MmacFN]

Nope

CRNA is advanced practice nursing. If your talking about the general bedside stuff, yes you leave that behind.

Honestly, you havent been a nurse long enough to know if you like it or not. Give it a year, right now they are going to baby you.


Thank-you.

Do you leave nursing behind when you go to CRNA school? I don't know a better way of phrasing that. Boy, that sounds bad. I just feel sick.

[agarber]

3 yrs ER
3 yrs ICU- general catch-all ICU in regional hospital
6 months PACU

[student@mm]

I did about 6 years in various ICUs, cardiac, trauma, general...and then 1 year as the house PICC bedside placement nurse. I just started school, but I think that my experience is paying off, although the "younger" students remember how to study better than I!

[BSusan1980]

I gotta say... I can't honestly say that I "like" bedside nursing either... neither do I dislike it. Although I often feel like I don't want to spend another day at work... I always do and once I'm here it is bearable. I look at each day as a learning experience... some days are boring, and I feel like, "One more day done before I can be done with this forever." Some days are crazy... and I wonder what in the hell happened and how did I possible make it through the day without having a breakdown? All in all, each day brings something quite necessary to prepare me for being a CRNA. If nothing else, I learn to NEVER let my guard down and EXPECT an uneventful day... there's always potential for disaster!!!

[Burnt2]

Theres no option for <1 year experience?

i had 2.25 months of med surg experience on a cardiac step down unit (it was a hard unit - some of my patients were attached to heart monitors because they had just come out of ICU - they were pretty sick) when i applied/was accepted

[ethernaut]

i had 2.25 months of med surg experience when i applied/was accepted
that's too bad

[JumpNurse]

(it was a hard unit - some of my patients were attached to heart monitors because they had just come out of ICU - they were pretty sick) when i applied/was accepted

Seriously?

[infidel]

Theres no option for <1 year experience?

i had 2.25 months of med surg experience on a cardiac step down unit (it was a hard unit - some of my patients were attached to heart monitors because they had just come out of ICU - they were pretty sick) when i applied/was accepted

Someone, somewhere dropped the ball.......I would guess you won't tell us what school?

I am pretty sure the AANA demands ONE YEAR OF ACUTE CARE...

[Burnt2]

Someone, somewhere dropped the ball.......I would guess you won't tell us what school?

I am pretty sure the AANA demands ONE YEAR OF ACUTE CARE...

Pheonix Universitys new CRNA program, why?

[kirbybunny]

Too funny!

[Burnt2]

Too funny!

? I don't get whats so funny??

Here's a link to the program (http://encyclopediadramatica.com/Troll) (the didactic portion is completely online, which is awesome - I can do it in my spare time)

[infidel]

You bastard...

[kirbybunny]

Nope, not gonna get me! Can't believe some thought you were real. This does remind me of a post I read on allnazis - check it out -

http://allnurses.com/forums/f227/i-need-guidence-please-help-me-330446.html

Made me laugh out loud!

~ Jen

[Burnt2]

Nope, not gonna get me! Can't believe some thought you were real. This does remind me of a post I read on allnazis - check it out -

http://allnurses.com/forums/f227/i-need-guidence-please-help-me-330446.html

Made me laugh out loud!

~ Jen

OH MAN, HAHAHA!

"I got an interview for lpn anesthetist and I will learn from that job if they let me have it"

which was quickly followed by

"As a nurse with a colostomy, please be careful what you say...there are plenty of wound/stoma nurses out there who love their jobs."

haaaaaahahahaha!

[infidel]

I will now make it my life's work to hunt you down and pimp slap you... I cannot believe i fell for it..... quit laughing damn it.

[kirbybunny]

"I have not shadowed a crna but have looked up what they do. I am not in this for only the money. If I all i wanted was money I'd be a stripper."

:salook:

~ Jen

[infidel]

Jesus, I had no idea this was an option... I even have the man boobs for it.

Quit teasing those of us who have had their IPs banned...

[kirbybunny]

Hey, I got banned (twice), but still visit as a "guest" (barf). All the awesome things I would say to this person would never make it past the mods anyway (spoilsports!).

~ Jen

[infidel]

Only TWICE?? That is why you can visit as a guest... those of us who are ZEN PERFECT MASTERS of allnurses.com have had our IP addresses banned we are not even allowed to VIEW the posts... oh well, The Onion is funnier.. but not by much.

[kirbybunny]

One of my favs from the Onion -

Is the Government Spying on Paranoid Schizophrenics Enough?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzoXQKumgCw

~ Jen

[ethernaut]

i'm sorry, but i had to stop reading that thread (and the one posted above it). it just kept getting me madder and madder. sometimes you just wanna really slap people. really! anyway, i posted a few comments to wanabecrna (and one of the moderators). let's see if they make the board. funny you cannot post unhappy stuff there, but it's ok to post untrue stuff. that's because they don't know JACKSH*T about *****ng anesthesia. what a f*ck*ng joke that site and all it's loyal patroons are!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MmacFN]

Im pissing my pants laughing!:pound:



Theres no option for <1 year experience?

i had 2.25 months of med surg experience on a cardiac step down unit (it was a hard unit - some of my patients were attached to heart monitors because they had just come out of ICU - they were pretty sick) when i applied/was accepted

[MmacFN]

BWHAHAHAH

I swear, i am so coming out and having a beer with you when im done.... i think im in tears:beerglass:


Jesus, I had no idea this was an option... I even have the man boobs for it.

Quit teasing those of us who have had their IPs banned...

[jamieblu]

I like this post... A nice little tidbit of wisdom from the allnurses posters...

How does bicarb increase bp during a code? Is it just increasing CO and Why is the effect so short lived (pun or no pun)?

Indeed, how does bicarb increase bp during a code? I am curious to know this as well....

[ethernaut]

I like this post... A nice little tidbit of wisdom from the allnurses posters...

How does bicarb increase bp during a code? Is it just increasing CO and Why is the effect so short lived (pun or no pun)?

Indeed, how does bicarb increase bp during a code? I am curious to know this as well....

other than from a purely volume standpoint, i cannot see the sodium portion of NaHCO3- having any significant effect on raising blood pressure, unless you are already dealing with something like a secondary hypertension.

[Wombatsoup]

volume?

1 mEq/ml

How about, acidosis impairs cardiac and vascular smooth muscle contraction.

[kirbybunny]

i'm sorry, but i had to stop reading that thread (and the one posted above it). it just kept getting me madder and madder. sometimes you just wanna really slap people. really! anyway, i posted a few comments to wanabecrna (and one of the moderators). let's see if they make the board. funny you cannot post unhappy stuff there, but it's ok to post untrue stuff. that's because they don't know JACKSH*T about *****ng anesthesia. what a f*ck*ng joke that site and all it's loyal patroons are!!!!!!!!!!!!


Did you see her response to you? She would appreciate it if you did not respond anymore, you negative person you! HA! :pound:

~ Jen

[FutrCRNA]

BWHAHAHAH

I swear, i am so coming out and having a beer with you when im done.... i think im in tears:beerglass:

Did Mike just say he was coming out?! Go, girl! ::evil laughter::

[wide-awake]

4.5 years total before school starts...

about 1.5 as a circulator in the main OR of a large trauma 1 hospital
1.5 in a combined micu-sicu in a 600 bed community hospital
1.5 in a cardiac icu at a university hospital

[2011CRNA]

4 yrs as a RRT
4 yrs as RN in CVRR/ICU/Transplant Hybrid Unit

[CRNA4ME]

By the time I start it will be 5 years as an RN and 3 of that in a SICU.

[SweetPCRNA]

Been a nurse 12 years but did a little of everything...

IV therapy 1 year
Open Heart Recovery 1 year
Neuro ICU 1 year
Surgical ICU 1 year
Step down and Ltach 1 year

Pharmaceutical sales 5 years
Medical Device Sales 2 years

Currently Surgical ICU

Starting Anesthesia School next week!

[aarongrn]

:nurse: 10 years total: 4 years ER, 1 year ER Management, 2.5 years Cardiac Cath Lab, 2.5 years Card Surg ICU in Large Private Health Care Facility.

[Wombatsoup]

2.5 PICU at a University, went straight to PICU after college

Franciscan Skemp La Crosse
(still waiting to hear from Mayo)

feels good to say that I am in though

[helicali]

5 years CVICU
1.5 years ER (trauma level 2). (went per diem at CVICU and here part time)

I feel like I have a solid foundation and that three years was when I really got comfortable with hemodynamic monitoring, Drips, vents, etc.

I don't really think it is wise to get into CRNA school one year out of nursing school. Your barely getting your feet wet. But, that's just me!

[madhatter]

I agree. It took six years for me to feel like I could handle whatever was thrown at me. I have 1.5 years med/surg, 3 years ICU/OHR, and about 8 years of ER including travel and per diem in both ER/ICU. I think I could have done this a few years ago but I probably would not have been "ready"!!

[kirbybunny]

By the time I start, 5 years in Cardiothoacic Surgical ICU.

~ Jen

[bambampk]

Five years ER/Flight and two years ICU/CCU, cardiac cath lab, and one year EMS. In retrospect, it all seemed necessary to prepare me for anesthesia school. I can't imagine one year in an ICU, then throwing myself to the wolves.

[tcwright]

Finished BSN '07. Accepted after 14 months in SICU will have 2 years when I start.

[inderpalsekhon]

almost two years by the time I will start.

[seewhiterabbit]

1.5 yrs Acute Care/Tele
1.5 yrs CCU/ICU

[btexbr]

2 months med-surg (almost committed suicide!)
3yrs CVICU/SICU
2yrs SICU/CCU/MICU :saint:

Can't wait to become a CRNA.

Not that I don't like nursing. It's just not something you do for 30+yrs of your life anymore.

[GeraldoV]

1 year med surg/skilled nursing
5 years correctional nursing
10 years ER Level 2 Trauma Center
1 Year of Neuro Trauma Surg ICU as of April
Plan to stay in ICU as I apply this year for 2010

[jenna4480]

Hi I am new to the forum, currently in the early stages of applying to crna school. I have six years labor and delivery experience (circ scrub triage labor antenatal and charge RN). I have yet to take the plunge of transfering to the ICU. I was wondering is it beneficial to apply to schools now with the intention of doing one year in the icu before classes start? I work at a level one trauma center and a level three NICU. Thank You

[ethernaut]

Hi I am new to the forum, currently in the early stages of applying to crna school. I have six years labor and delivery experience (circ scrub triage labor antenatal and charge RN). I have yet to take the plunge of transfering to the ICU. I was wondering is it beneficial to apply to schools now with the intention of doing one year in the icu before classes start? I work at a level one trauma center and a level three NICU. Thank You
it would be the school's decision. however, why wouldn't you get into an ICU sooner than later, and get more than the required bare-bones minimum, as long as your intentions are correct?

[mummer43]

I'll have 3 years full time in a CVICU by the time I start.

[nomorepooh]

8 years army medic
3 years Certified pulmonary function technologist
2 years SICU RN
1.5 years CSICU RN:usa:

[mtmc2012]

I have a total of 4 years experience-1.5 years on a GI/Med floor and 2.5 years on the CVSICU when I start school in August.

[phlbald]

3 years Step Down 2 years Transplant ICU. Cardiac, Lungs, Liver and Kidneys.

[olderthandirt2]

6+ yrs Critical Care total before USAGPAN CRNA program June '09:

5 yrs of MICU, Surgical trauma ICU & Peds ICU
1.5 yrs Flight Critical Care Neo/Peds (up to 19yrs) Pre Ecmo pts

Hooah! :)
c.
p.s. Can not IMAGINE myself applying for CRNA without at least 5 yrs of Critical care......

[SuccsDrugs&Rocuron]

14 years of ICU, CCRN, etc. didn't prepare me for the awesome intenseness of wonderful Nurse Anesthesia...Learn something new every hour!

[Ventrix]

2 yrs Neuro ICU

[AirSick]

I am not ready to apply to a program yet, finishing my BSN. BUT I thought this may be a good place to throw out my info to see what kind of response I get...
Pre-EMS Ward Clerk, Mental Health tech and L&D tech
EMS for busy 911 service (EMT & Paramedic)
1 year EMT
5 years Paramedic (still NREMTP certified and state licensed)
6 years Flight medic/RN (1.5 years Chief Flight Nurse) transfer fixed wing service, roughly 300 flights a month busy (obviously I didn't do all those flights :)
1 year ER
3 years Cardiology clinic (cardiac rehab, GXTs, Tilt Table, Dobutamine stress tests..all autonomously with MDs available PRN)
Went back to a rural ER in Nov per diem, currently working FT for rotor rescue/medevac and will be starting back on the road as a paramedic for old 911 service soon (for dusting off some skills)
I also have CEN, CFRN, CTRN, FP-C, as well as having multiple certs and instructor certified (and actively teaching) ACLS, PALS, PHTLS, EPC. I am going to TNATC at Stanford next month.
I am trying to put everything on the table (hoping it may be worth something b/c no one where I live really cares about all these letters I have worked so hard for).
I realize that I am missing formal ICU from my CV. I am thinking about moving in that direction but there are a few barriers to that.
Feedback...please.....

***disclamer: I have 11 years total EMS experience, much of my experience is from working more then one job at a time, many 100+ hour weeks.

[rubyrn36]

worked my way up the food chain...
8 years as various caregiver positions IE: CNA/med aide/ medicare aide.. oh the things I later learned that I had not know..*S*
6 years as an LVN..acted is an ADN in scope as I was an LVN III
12 years as an RN... go the BSN in the last couple years...JUST to go to CRNA school.....
once I got the initial licensure (LVN worked in hospitals...avg 48 hour work weeks..often more)
small rural facilities 25 bed CAH to
750-1000 bed Level one teaching facilities..
Duke
University of California San Francisco
Oregon health Science Center
etc etc
lots of mid level 250-500 hospitals along the way including NOW
22 bed ICU so-so acuity...
Need a new challenge..
just hoping to afford it...
worked all over the country gratis the husband who was AD navy for 26 yrs...

[menneab]

worked my way up the food chain...
8 years as various caregiver positions IE: CNA/med aide/ medicare aide.. oh the things I later learned that I had not know..*S*
6 years as an LVN..acted is an ADN in scope as I was an LVN III
12 years as an RN... go the BSN in the last couple years...JUST to go to CRNA school.....
once I got the initial licensure (LVN worked in hospitals...avg 48 hour work weeks..often more)
small rural facilities 25 bed CAH to
750-1000 bed Level one teaching facilities..
Duke
University of California San Francisco
Oregon health Science Center
etc etc
lots of mid level 250-500 hospitals along the way including NOW
22 bed ICU so-so acuity...
Need a new challenge..
just hoping to afford it...
worked all over the country gratis the husband who was AD navy for 26 yrs...

I'm being a nitpick here, but the scope of a ADN is the scope of a BSN is the scope of a RN.
Just wanna clarify there's no dif between BSN and ADN.

Good luck!

[JumpNurse]

I'm being a nitpick here, but the scope of a ADN is the scope of a BSN is the scope of a RN.
Just wanna clarify there's no dif between BSN and ADN.

Good luck!

That's not exactly true. While functionally they are identical, according to your BON they are not. Texas actually has a document that seperates how they see each scope of practice.

[rubyrn36]

That's not exactly true. While functionally they are identical, according to your BON they are not. Texas actually has a document that seperates how they see each scope of practice.


LOL...I am so busted...I am ORIGINALLY from Texas....
hence the LVN 3 model..used to actual work in the ICU as an LVN back in the day...but they booted us... as an LVN hung blood etc etc etc...but BSN had the ultimate scope and could delgate to the rest of us..
but now In Washington State you are right an RN is an RN is an RN....

[cathys01]

That's not exactly true. While functionally they are identical, according to your BON they are not. Texas actually has a document that seperates how they see each scope of practice.

Where in the Texas Nursing Practice Act does it distinguish between an ADN and a BSN? I searched and could find nothing. There are different practice acts for LVNs vs. RNs, but I could find nothing related to the level of education beyond passing the RN NCLEX.

Can you post a link?

[JumpNurse]

Where in the Texas Nursing Practice Act does it distinguish between an ADN and a BSN? I searched and could find nothing. There are different practice acts for LVNs vs. RNs, but I could find nothing related to the level of education beyond passing the RN NCLEX.

Can you post a link?

Here ya go

One thing I wasn't clear on: This was meant only for new grads. The board provides exception to those that are in practice and 'have moved beyond the 'novice' level.

[bitsie71]

One year med-surg
Five years OR
Five years ICU with ER, OR, and Supervising on as needed basis
One year strictly cardiothoracic ICU-what I like the most!!!

[B. F.]

9 years OR scrub/circulator, Then 3 years SICU/MICU/CTICU mix

[BebeSunshine07]

Wow, why didn't you guys just take a year of experience before going to school to become a CRNA?

[Anthony]

Wow, why didn't you guys just take a year of experience before going to school to become a CRNA?

IP: 76.167.94.133

Herdon VA again = Troll

[ethernaut]

IP: 76.167.94.133

Herdon VA again = Troll
yea, obvious, since no crna/srna comes here with that BS. you'd think doctors were more intelligent. guess not.

[TMikeG26]

4 years in a surg/trauma ICU and 1 year in pscyhiatric ward but the latter is irrelevant I supposed...

[AlohaSRNA]

4 years in a surg/trauma ICU and 1 year in pscyhiatric ward but the latter is irrelevant I supposed...

not irrelevant...LOL. definitely shows u have tough skin and patience. don't think I could have worked with psych patients for that long.

My personal experience: 2+years CCU/CVICU. 6+ years neuro and peds, SICU. mixed with stints in cath lab, interventional radiology and the ED. ambulance transports for fun too ;-)

[FockerRN]

I have wanted to vote on this thread for awhile but was unable until I was accepted. By the time I start school I will either have 15 or 20 months by the time I start so I selected 1 yr but almost 2 might be right too.

[TSICU83]

about 3.5 total when I start in May 2010.
1.5 CVICU recovering hearts and the like, 2 years SICU at level 1 urban center, mostly trauma and neurosurgery patients with some large abdominal cases and a few hearts thrown in for fun. I feel like about 3 years in a solid high-acuity ICU is a pretty good base. I also think that changing units half way through my experience helped force me to be more well rounded. Some of you guys have some really impressive years of experience/different areas of care, nice work!

[nrskrs]

I also wanted to vote, but wanted to wait until I got accepted. By the time I start school, I will have 6 years experience in CVICU as an open heart recovery RN. I still can't believe I've been an RN that long, it seems like yesterday I was a brand-spanking new scared to death orientee!!! :eek2:

[Totipo]

Don't mean to offend anyone out there, but I, too, am of the belief that 1 year in an ICU is nowhere near enough. My advice if you are all about getting into CRNA school on the fly, get into a high acuity ICU right out of undergrad and give yourself 2 solid years to gain some experience.

You'll be grateful for it!

I totally agree. I was a GN that went straight into an level 1/trauma ICU after school. You may THINK you know it all, but I assure you, you do not. I was that cocky GN/RN with a year of experience that thought I knew it all. I was very very wrong. The average person applying to CRNA school has 5+ years of experience for a reason. The amount of knowledge needed to work competently in an ICU is extreme. I really feel that if I applied after my 1 year of experience I would have struggled through a CRNA program.

[medic7577]

12 years Paramedic (flight medic since 99)

4 years RN (transitioned to flight nurse role after graduation in '05)

Now - full-time ER, part-time flight, PRN ICU.

Oh yeah, Army Medic from '97 to '08.

later,


griff

[WillBeCRNA]

I can't believe that I get to vote now finally that I just got accepted to a program! Just about 2 years for me!

[Boynurse2]

10yrs ICU total

2yrs general ICU
4yrs MICU
4yrs SICU/open heart recovery

[ethernaut]

10yrs ICU total

2yrs general ICU
4yrs MICU
4yrs SICU/open heart recovery
finally some substance ;)

[sesass118]

12.5 years total.

2 years med/psych
9 years OR
1.5 neuro/med/trauma ICU

[rmr1010]

12 yrs rn,
5 yrs in picu

[Muzicman]

1.5 years ER Tech during nursing school

2 years Trauma ICU at Level I Trauma Center

1 year ICU float pool (CTICU, BURN, Neurosurg, Surgical, Trauma, CCU, Medical ICU, PACU, ER and all the other places they wanted to make me work...lol)

[wannaBaCRNA]

8 years total:

6 months cardiac/tele floor nursing
2.5 years ER (level 2)
1 year GI lab
1 year PACU
3 years ICU (level 1)

[Moneymn316]

Have been accepted, once clinicals start I will have just under 2 years of medical/surgical ICU (30 beds) experience in a tertiary care hospital.

[toomuchespresso]

... and 1 year in pscyhiatric ward but the latter is irrelevant I supposed...



Yep I was there too.









Oooooooh you mean you worked there. :theyareontome: I'm sure it's better to have the keys in your pocket.

[sandmanpk]

5 years ER
1 year flight/EMS
3 years ICU/CCU

[mbesh007]

With those of you with around 1-2 years experience, how did you explain this to interviewers, when they asked about this compared to others with greater expereince? basically how do did you turn your limited experience into a positive for them?

[MmacFN]

You cant turn limited experience into a positive, it isnt possible.

Its like asking how to turn your job at quickie mart into a positive when looking for dates.


With those of you with around 1-2 years experience, how did you explain this to interviewers, when they asked about this compared to others with greater expereince? basically how do did you turn your limited experience into a positive for them?

[FockerRN]

Mike is right. It is not something that you can paint as a positive, so don't even try to BS them with it. The only thing you can do is tell them why with minimal experience they should choose you and why you would be a strong candidate and competent CRNA. Limited experience is actually a negative that needs to be made up for by other parts of yourself or your application.

[agmedman]

5 years as a medic in various roles
4 years as an anesthesia tech (the most fun of my life in a large level 1 hospital)
3 years rn in medicine icu when I start
Seems like all my experience has led me to this point!

[Greezbhal]

ER- 3 years
ICU- 5 years in December

Start school on June 2011.

*doesn't seem like it's been that long!

[lvl1micuRN]

With those of you with around 1-2 years experience, how did you explain this to interviewers, when they asked about this compared to others with greater expereince? basically how do did you turn your limited experience into a positive for them?

They're right, you can't turn it into a postiive. But you can prove yourself other ways. Get on a meaningful committee at your ICU. Any good research projects in your unit (if you're at an academic center). Do any outstanding undergraduate research projects? Outstanding undergrad GPA? Get your CCRN.

I only had 2 years, but the above are some of the things I did, worked out for me.

[syringslingr]

19+years total:

4 Micu
4 ICU Float at major teaching
4 years critical care transport, neonates to 90 year olds, air and ground
7 years agency/travel....over 65 units/ER's served!
2.5 SCVICU hearts and thors
one app. one interview, one acceptance letter, one happy man starting in June 2011!

[ethernaut]

19+years total:

4 Micu
4 ICU Float at major teaching
4 years critical care transport, neonates to 90 year olds, air and ground
7 years agency/travel....over 65 units/ER's served!
2.5 SCVICU hearts and thors
one app. one interview, one acceptance letter, one happy man starting in June 2011!
man you're old ;)

[syringslingr]

At 43, I am in my prime. Have a 4 year old at home to keep me hoppin'.
The master plan was to partake of all the fun activities you can do as a young man (travel, hike, extreme anything) and slow down into the 9-5 when my body was a little slower to recover.
Been planning this move for many years.....I am excited as a kid at Christmas.

I don't appear aged yet.....we will see what a few years of school does to an "old dude".

[bamaSRNA]

1 year Neuro ICU
3 years CVICU

Will start school in May :)

[rustymills]

3 years as an Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery Tech
3 years teaching A&P, Pre-Gross Anatomy, Gross Anatomy, and Head & Neck Anatomy (Thought I wanted to be a Doc then)
1 year as a ER and Military Transport Nurse
2 years as an ICU Nurse

[ethernaut]

3 years as an Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery Tech
3 years teaching A&P, Pre-Gross Anatomy, Gross Anatomy, and Head & Neck Anatomy (Thought I wanted to be a Doc then)
1 year as a ER and Military Transport Nurse
2 years as an ICU Nurse

what the heck is 'pre-gross anatomy'? that's a new one.

[armygas]

I was a stripper

[armygas]

I was a stripper

......and then a Shetland pony jocky

[premaseeker]

......and then a Shetland pony jocky

oh, the visual...:llama:

[hockeyguy]

About 2 years CTICU when I start class in May (Or maybe August, having trouble deciding between programs)

[islandgas]

12 years medic (military)
10 years various CVICU mainly transplant (heart & lungs) (civilian)

[RunnerRN]

4.5 years as a LPN
5 years as a RN (Neuro ICU, Travel nursing...MICU/SICU/TSICU, CVRR)
9.5 years total as a nurse

I start school in January!!

[ethernaut]

4.5 years as a LPN
5 years as a RN (Neuro ICU, Travel nursing...MICU/SICU/TSICU, CVRR)
9.5 years total as a nurse

I start school in January!!
you might wanna modify your answer. LPN does nothing for anesthesia school. nothing. and telling people this might get you laughed at. just sayin.

[RunnerRN]

you might wanna modify your answer. LPN does nothing for anesthesia school. nothing. and telling people this might get you laughed at. just sayin.

Lol. I'm not modifying my answer......it's my nursing experience. I never said being a LPN did anything for anesthesia school.

[livegreen27]

Total=11 yrs. 9.5 in PICU, 9 months in SICU, 6 months ED.

[jmr3475]

Total of 15 years as of this December. 4 years ICU, 9 years ER/Trauma Clinician, a few years doing psych ER.

[armygas]

I milked cats for awhile.........
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/eb/Hawat-1984.jpg

[ethernaut]

I milked cats for awhile.........

"i got nipples, can you milk me...?"

[armygas]

"i got nipples, can you milk me...?"

I had the film "Dune" in mind but I guess I could Fokker

[BuckeyeRN]

"i got nipples, can you milk me...?"

Would have been better coming from FockerRN

[ajefferson]

22 months Neuro ICU

[RadarLuv]

2.5 years MICU as an RN (while working on BSN) ,9 months SICU as an RN, 4 years med-surg (ortho, urology, GI) as an LPN (while going to school to obtain ADN) , 2 years in float pool as a CNA. I look back sometimes and wish that I could have just obtained my BSN earlier, but my parents are/were dirt poor and I funded my own education by working full time and going to school full time. Either, way it worked out and it has taught me to be a hard worker.

"It doesn't matter when you get there, as long as you do what you must to get there!"

[CICUmurse]

I only spent 1.5 years in a very intense and fast paced CCU. But the experience was worth much more than the time I spent there. The patient population was diverse and acuity extremely high. Well worth the headache of working in a teaching hospital.