Why is the ICU experience component so important?
A nurse anesthesia program involves 24 months of very intensive study. There is much to be learned in a short period of time, and the commitment of time and energy is almost always described as one of the most difficult and challenging things the students have ever taken on. Considering that, the level of preparation of a student when they begin the program has a great impact on how easily they fare during the program. In the selection process, the quality of ICU experience as well as the duration weighs heavily on the admission decisions. Unfortunately, we do not have time to teach someone all the information between basic nursing knowledge and beginning student anesthetist levels of knowledge. Therefore, we rely on students to come in with a good, current, and comfortable competence with advanced ICU skills. Experience in a large ICU which includes vasoactive infusions, ventilator management, balloon pumps, blood gas interpretation, PA catheters, etc. even for 1-2 years, is probably
