If you’re currently a med-surg nurse and you’re interested in applying to CRNA school within the next 5 years, I have a few advice for you to help you plan accordingly.
Med-Surg EXPERIENCE is good...
Although CRNA schools require ICU experience, it is recommended to have some med-surg experience as it will help you become a well-rounded nurse. Med-surg nursing provides a good knowledge foundation for ICU positions. In fact, most ICU nurses have at least one year of nursing experience working in ER, PACU or other med-surg units. Ok, now what?
WHICH ICU?
If your goal is to start CRNA school within the next 5 years, then now is a good time to start thinking about getting an ICU position. You want to work on a general ICU, Medical ICU or Surgical ICU. Those units will help you pass CCRN because you will be familiar with most of the disease processes that you will be tested on. Neuro ICU and Pediatric ICU are also accepted by most CRNA schools. If you want to be competitive, here are the list of ICU floors you want to work on , from most desirable to least desirable: Cardio-thoracic (CT) ICU –>Surgical ICU–> Medical ICU–> General ICU –> Neuro ICU –> NICU –> Pediatric ICU. Working in CTICU, SICU and MICU, you will become familiar with vasoactive drips and advanced hemodynamic monitoring. Also, you will interact with the surgical teams and will most likely care for post-cardiac surgeries, PE, sepsis, trauma injury patients, etc.
THINGS I CAN DO now ?
Few things that you can do at work to improve your nursing skills and acquire more nursing knowledge include reading doctors’ notes, relate medications with the patient’s current medical diagnoses, read, read and read. Get into the habit of asking questions to anyone willing to answer and improve your knowledge. For example, why are some specific beta blockers ok to be given to asthmatic patients and others are not? Practice clinical thinking skills by ordering a med-surg certification book with questions and answers, buy a used one. your goal is to get into the habit of critical thinking and increasing your knowledge. I’m NOT really recommending taking the med-surg certification because I don’t believe it’ll make you a more competitive candidate. But that’s just my opinion. LAST but not least, take a non-degree graduate course, if you have time. Most companies nowadays offer TUITION reimbursement. If your company does, sign-up for an online graduate CHEAP course that you will be fully reimbursed for. THERE are MANY schools online which allows you to take advance courses. CRNA school is a major investment, a good one though. You want to make sure you’re comfortable taking grad level courses , or if you’re not, at least you’ll know what to expect and what to work on in the meantime.
LIFE and things
Start getting rid of unnecessary bills such as card and credit card payments. Pay off your car, furnitures or other financial obligations. You will most likely take out federal student loans while in school, unless you can save a good $70,000 to pay the school cash and another $40,000 for living expenses (If you plan on living alone and on a tight budget). That alone adds up to 110K which is not realistic, unless you got it like that lol. Anyway, cheaper schools are more competitive and your chances of getting in are slimmer if you’re not a strong candidate (high GPA, 5+ ICU, High GRE, good letters etc.) The best choice would be a moderately expensive school. I will talk about schools and choices in a later post.
If you’re planning on getting married within the next 5 years, do so sooner rather than later. However, know that CRNA school can either strengthen or weaken your relationship with your partner. It all depends on how strong your relationship foundation is. I hate to say this but wives are usually a little more supportive than husbands. Successful students usually stay pass their scheduled times in the Operating room, but generally not a requirement per se. Expect to spend long hours in the OR. If you have smaller children, make sure you have a strong support system such as close relatives, parents or friends. You will need it on days that your OR case doesn’t go as planned or when you’re running late and need someone to pick them up from school.
CONCLUSION
As a med-surg nurse you are at an advantage. You have time to plan, plan and plan accordingly. From picking out the right ICU to saving and getting financially ready, you will be on the right path to success. You can start looking into schools and states that you want to consider but it’s a little early to do so. REMEMBER also that, by the time you apply, all CRNA programs will be at least 36 months in length.
BEST OF luck to you !
Sincerely,
LINSAY , SRNA
Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist 