1 year CC requirement

[TLC RN]

How long has the 1 year of critical care experience been part of the requirements to get into anesthesia school?

[etherdome]

A long time and in my humble opinion, it's not enough. The strongest applicants have and average of 4-6. 1 year is obviously doable, however or they wouldn't allow it.

[MmacFN]

I often think about this and it comes up from time to time.

Here is what im wondering:

- Does the extra experience just make getting through the didactic part of the CRNA program easier?

OR

- Does it signifigantly impact your whole career?

There are certainly alot of people who get into CRNA school without even basic critical care skills. They are accepted and they become CRNAs. I assume its more difficult for them (alot of new concepts which would be farmiliar to others).

Has this ever been studied?

[athomas91]

mike - i don't think the experience adds to the didactic - but more to clinical

let's face it - there are those who are going to cut it and likely be good - maybe even very good w/ a year - but the best have likely had strong experience as an RN prior to school - it ONLY makes them better - anyone can learn from a book (well most anyone) - and monkeys can be trained in skills - it is that critical thinking integrated w/ the didactic and of course that 6th sense that makes a great anesthetist -

that critical thinking and 6th sense i find lacking in most docs (not all of course) - but when you see patients that are fine go down the tube in a heartbeat for years at a time - you develop a keen sense for something gone awry - those without that experience can't possible have that yet for it takes time to aquire.

i find it compromising to the profession to have such a low requirement - it does nothing to strengthen or support the argument for equality in practice between CRNA's and docs - and although many talk about how tough it is to get in and that most have multiple years of experience - i have known quite a few with only 1 year of experience.

[MmacFN]

I find it refreshing to hear you say that Andrea.

Im now in the didactic portion. I am not finding the majority of these topics new and I would attribute that to my experience (and aggressive personality which needs to know why).

The intregral difference between a critical thinking clinician and a technician is knowing the WHYS not the Whats. My experience with most nurses (there are always exceptions) is that for a couple years they are still busy learning the Whats and havent had time to think about the WHys. Thats not bad, in fact its normal.

Experience will do nothing but strengthen your clinical skills in any healthcare field. While anyone can 'Ace a test' it has certainly been my experience that 'testing well' doesn't always translate into clinical skills.

Are there ppl with 1 year who will get through school and pass the boards? Sure. However, they wont be the strongest CRNAs and I would not hesitate to say they are the statistical outliers in general. When people look in on the profession all they see is the min. requirement (which we are all judged by) and to many, it isnt impressive.

I think its also important to recognize quality of experience. While someone may be a 20 yr CCU RN, they can be absolutely devoid of critical thinking skills and simply "box followers" (ie: follows protocol sheet). On the otherhand, the person with 2-3 years of solid experience in ANY acute area will be much more successful.

Quality can be better than quantity but not the other way around. Of course, lots of both will always be the best.