Which route? VA ECMO vs Rapid Response Nurse
Hello, Title says it all with dilemma I am currently facing. I am currently an ICU float with 2 years ICU experience looking to apply to school in the near future. I am at the point where I can apply to become a “flyer” aka rapid response nurse. I will be responding to rapid responses, running codes (blues, stroke, MTP, 21 aka behavioral codes). This option would keep me in the icu float position, and I will lose the chance to be trained in on VA ecmo. They are also phasing out float training for LVAD. (Currently trained but won’t be re-enrolled next year)
Option 2 would be to apply to CVICU where I would be trained into VA ecmo, and start taking the sickest of the sick patients. I currently still take care of IABP, impella, crrt, LVAD in my current role but just not VA ECMO.
If I go this route, I will no longer travel to neuro/surgical or medical in which I would lose NIHSS cert, liver transplants, EVDs, flaps, grids etc.
Wondering which route would be more attractive on a resume for CRNA school? I’m leaning towards becoming the rapid response nurse as I foresee a wider range of skills and critical thinking required to be successful. I would love to hear some insight!
Thanks. Happy holidays
Posted Dec 1, 2025, 7:02 PM UTC