ICU Experience - The CRNA Club

Tagged: APPLICATION PROCESS, ICU EXPERIENCE

This topic has 3 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 6 days, 15 hours ago by Sachi @thecrnaclub.

March 3, 2025 at 9:01 am #12400

Casey
Participant

I have been an ICU nurse for 6 years. I had my first job for a year and a half, and then started travel nursing. I feel so fortunate that I have ended up with per diem jobs at two level 1 trauma centers in San Diego, for the last two and a half years. I am considering applying to CRNA school, that has always been my hope. My first steps are getting my money right to be able to be a student again, and getting my CCRN (finally!). I have been debating also signing on as full time staff. I have loved the flexibility of my per diems as they also pay higher, however I realize that it might be a quick frowned upon look that I haven’t been full time committed to just one unit. I love the diversity of floating between CVICU, trauma, burn, neuro. However, if CRNA is the goal, should I seek a designated full time unit, even if I’m working 48 hours a week as it is?
March 4, 2025 at 1:54 am #12405

Sachi @thecrnaclub
Keymaster

@casey-mccormick Copying this reply from April as it didn’t carry over: I’ve actually was accepted in my program and I was a per diem-RN for 3 years. LOVED it. I believe as long as you can state that you have taken care of these sicker patients and skilled enough regardless of not being full-time staff, I think shows ALOT! I’d say … try it out. I know some other people have also gotten in when they were travel-RNs

And my advice is to just continue doing what you’re doing – taking care of high acuity patients and getting that breadth of experience. You’re working PLENTY to not lose your skills. That is the main thing. I wouldn’t switch.
March 4, 2025 at 1:55 am #12406

Sachi @thecrnaclub
Keymaster

@casey-mccormick Copying this reply from April as it didn’t carry over: I’ve actually was accepted in my program and I was a per diem-RN for 3 years. LOVED it. I believe as long as you can state that you have taken care of these sicker patients and skilled enough regardless of not being full-time staff, I think shows ALOT! I’d say … try it out. I know some other people have also gotten in when they were travel-RNs

And my advice is to just continue doing what you’re doing – taking care of high acuity patients and getting that breadth of experience. You’re working PLENTY to not lose your skills. That is the main thing. I wouldn’t switch.
March 4, 2025 at 1:55 am #12407

Sachi @thecrnaclub
Keymaster

@casey-mccormick Copying this reply from April as it didn’t carry over: I’ve actually was accepted in my program and I was a per diem-RN for 3 years. LOVED it. I believe as long as you can state that you have taken care of these sicker patients and skilled enough regardless of not being full-time staff, I think shows ALOT! I’d say … try it out. I know some other people have also gotten in when they were travel-RNs

And my advice is to just continue doing what you’re doing – taking care of high acuity patients and getting that breadth of experience. You’re working PLENTY to not lose your skills. That is the main thing. I wouldn’t switch.