Right time to go into the icu

canigraduate · Jun 28, 2015

Honestly, it depends on you. There is no one right way. If you find a spot you want to stay in for a year, just go for it. Or, you can research the different ICUs and go with the one that has the best transition education. The first one I worked at had a six months to a year education program where they taught you ICU from the ground up. They were very cutting edge and some of the smartest people I have ever worked with.

I went to ICU after a year and a half of Med-Surg. If you want to get a little bit of everything, find a small facility with only one ICU unit. You'll learn MICU/SICU/CVICU all at the same time.

calivianya, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2015

I would say the best time to go into ICU is whenever you want to go into ICU.

I went in as a new grad, and I did fine. If a new grad can survive it, I am quite sure someone with skills as varied as yours will have no trouble picking up the nuances of ICU. :)

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jun 28, 2015

I personally waited five years, and that was about the right amount of time for me. I had the expectation that the ICU nurses, as opposed to the floor nurses who were clearly human, were paragons of wisdom and compassion. I found out they were people, just like me, and some of them were smarter and more compassionate than others.

If you're comfortable with the assessment skills, critical thinking and "skills skills" you're using now and ready to learn more in-depth assessment, critical thinking and "skills", then go for it. If you're happy where you are and considering ICU just because "everyone is doing it" or "I want to be an NP someday," wait.

adventure_rn, MSN, NP · Jun 29, 2015

Or, you can research the different ICUs and go with the one that has the best transition education. The first one I worked at had a six months to a year education program where they taught you ICU from the ground up.

I agree with canigraduate--in addition to your own personal factors, the unit orientation could have a huge impact on your readiness. If you start in an ICU that throws you into the fray after 3 weeks, you'll probably feel like you 'weren't ready,' whereas a solid orientation can give you the assessment and technical skills you need to feel prepared. While in school, I rotated through a CTICU (post-op open heart patients) that had a 6+ month orientation program which included precepting and class time on skills, vents, complications, and patho; nurses with related experience could opt out of certain portions as appropriate. You sound like a pretty adaptable RN with some diverse experiences--don't sell yourself short on finding a unit that will support your professional growth.

RNDude2012 · Jun 29, 2015

Any ICU that gives you a broad spectrum of patients will be good experience. I waited 3 years after working step down, tele, medsurg, and floating everywhere in my hospital to make the transfer. I feel like I waited too long, and I wish I did it sooner. The transition to ICU wasn't too bad though because I already knew how to be a nurse. I also went into orientation already being familiar with hemodynamics and ICU meds, which I think made a big difference. I would suggest you go NOW. No matter how much you learn on the floor, you will never be fully prepared, and you have to take the jump to truly ever know if you're ready. During my interview my boss told me the longer I wait, the worse off I will be because I will be more likely to pick up bad habits. Also, he said that I would have a harder time learning the info the longer I was out of school. He hired me anyways, and I was taken off orientation early, so I'm not sure if this is actually the case, or if it just varies from nurse to nurse, but this is the thought of a lot of hiring managers.

Also, if you're dead set on NP, why not skip ICU and go straight to NP? Unless you want to work in ICU as a NP...

garn12 · Jun 30, 2015

Well I want to go to ICU because it was something I been wanting to do. I want the challenge and the opportunity to increase my skill set and knowledge. I think it'll help me become an even better nurse. It's justa personal goal of mine. Along with that goal, I want to be a nurse practitioner eventually. I'm not ready totale on a new debt at the moment.

tcate · Jul 21, 2015

Quick question for you, as a new grad I am trying to choose between two job offers. One is a medsurg unit and the other is medsurg unit with stable tele. I wish to be an ICU nurse in a year or two (who knows) and want to make the right career choice. Would it be better to pick the job with stable tele?

Larry3373 · Jul 28, 2015

Quick question for you, as a new grad I am trying to choose between two job offers. One is a medsurg unit and the other is medsurg unit with stable tele. I wish to be an ICU nurse in a year or two (who knows) and want to make the right career choice. Would it be better to pick the job with stable tele?

You should definitely choose tele, because this will require you to learn your cardiac rhythyms and will teach you how to intervene. The telemetry unit I worked on before ICU required us to obtain ACLS also which is a requirement in the ICU.

Riburn3, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP · Jul 29, 2015

The best time to go is when you think you are ready to go. I started my career in CVICU right out of college and had a great experience. I did my preceptorship in ICU during my last semester and knew I wouldn't like anything else when I was graduating. Other coworkers were the same, while some came from other departments after getting some experience.

You have proven you are flexible and adaptable since you both travel and are in a float pool. I would imagine your time management skills are excellent as well. Find the place that you think is right for you and where you think they will give you a good orientation. I think you will do well.