[502Nurse]

I recently learned of an ICU position that hires nurses without any nursing experience, but the job training is "self study." You wouldn't shadow anyone but a resource nurse would be available if needed. Does anyone know if this is common training for ICU?

[Sleepyeyes]

Wow, I'd be terrified.

[pebbles]

No way can that be safe....

[caliotter3]

They can not be serious! What brand new grad would take a position under these circumstances?

[nec]

Sounds very scary to me, have 3 years ICU experience and I feel I Learn everyday and will continue too! NEC

[wishingmary]

I'm not sure if I'm in the right place, but here goes: I am an RN student soon to graduate from a 2 yr college and am working in the MICU and ICCU on the weekends as a nursing assistant. I like what I see and most of the nurses have been around for 10 plus years. My boss has hired a new grad a couple of years ago and she is doing well with the support of the nurses here. Any way, there is a huge leap from nursing assistant/student nurse to critical care so I want to continue my education in critical care while I work as an RN in a reduced salary suborinate position. Is there some kind of specialized training that I could go through as a private study as I begin my career and gain confidence. I don't think a BSN would give me what I need. Any suggestions?

[mattcastens]

Originally posted by 502Nurse
I recently learned of an ICU position that hires nurses without any nursing experience, but the job training is "self study." You wouldn't shadow anyone but a resource nurse would be available if needed. Does anyone know if this is common training for ICU?

Run as far away from this job as possible!

[mattcastens]

Originally posted by wishingmary
I'm not sure if I'm in the right place, but here goes: I am an RN student soon to graduate from a 2 yr college and am working in the MICU and ICCU on the weekends as a nursing assistant. I like what I see and most of the nurses have been around for 10 plus years. My boss has hired a new grad a couple of years ago and she is doing well with the support of the nurses here. Any way, there is a huge leap from nursing assistant/student nurse to critical care so I want to continue my education in critical care while I work as an RN in a reduced salary suborinate position. Is there some kind of specialized training that I could go through as a private study as I begin my career and gain confidence. I don't think a BSN would give me what I need. Any suggestions?

Not really any specialized training. Most hospitals have a very focused orientation once you've been hired into ICU, but if you're working on the floor and wanting to study before getting into critical care, I would recommend buying some self-study books. Be very aware, though, that they will be no substitute for actual critical care orientation.

Good luck!

[wishingmary]

As usual I spend too much but I recently found out about AllHeart.com, a discount medical supply, uniform, etc shop. I ordered a CD-ROM from Springhouse called Critical Care Nursing Made Incredibly Easy to kind of give me an overview. It was highly praised as an NCLEX critical care and some other specialized training accreditation that you have to get your masters to take. Most texts are too advanced and pricey. I also bought another CD-ROM called Learning Arrhthmia Recognition so when I look at those monitors I have a better appreciation for what is there besides just recognizing the basic PQRST complexes. I even got a little plastic card called CCU: EKG, Formulas, and Drugs. I know it will be fun being interactive and all. That is how I'm passing my nursing theory exams; besides reading the texts.

[Rainagrey]

I wouldn't even consider it - we give our RN orientees three months, sometimes extended to four. In the meantime, may I respectfully suggest: www.icufaqs.org? Entirely free. And worth the price!