Is it easier to get an ICU job is I already work at the hospital?

[Xlorgguss]

Okay, so I'm not entirely sure if this is the right place to post this, so apologies if it isn't.

My question is- Is it easier to get an ICU position at a hospital that I already work at?

I currently don't have my RN, but hopefully will be in my program come this fall (applications are in!) and then after two years I would love to start in an ICU. However, I work for the hospital in Microbiology/Specimen Management. Would already being an employee of the University give me any advantage to other potential hires since I would be an internal hire? Or would hiring managers not even consider this? I could argue to value of knowing Micro tests, how they are ordered, the system we use, different specimen types, containers, time for results, sensitivities, etc.

Does this give me any leg up on the competition?

I assume that networking could be very valuable since it could really open doors, but from my current job perspective, will this be beneficial??

Thanks!

[Nalon1 RN/EMT-P, BSN, RN]

It really depends on your facility. But for the most part, yes it does help working prior to getting your degree.

Internal networking is a great asset to have. I got my RN job due to being employed at the hospital prior to getting my degree.

You may not be able to get into the ICU immediately, it will depend on current openings and staffing needs in the departments.

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

I'm definitely saying it depends on your hospital! The one I worked at as a CNA did not offer me a position in critical care. They offered me a med-surg position when they wouldn't take me in critical care, so at least they tried to keep me in the system. I ended up leaving because I was picky about what I wanted. They were equally finicky about who they would take in critical care, and only wanted people who had extensive ICU experience in nursing school, which I did not. You might want to ask the unit managers in the ICUs at your facility what they look for in new graduate nurses to get a better idea if working there will help you or if you need to take additional steps to secure a critical care job there after graduation.

[Xlorgguss]

Thanks for the replies! I am not opposed to going into another area to start, but I would ideally like to get into an ICU as soon as possible. I think my biggest assets will be the networking and knowledge of our systems and tests from my experience in Micro. In Micro we have had quite a few nurses start here and then get there degree and start working as an RN, so I know it is definitely possible. I think the last one went to Burn Trauma? So definitely see the possibilities!

[tap87]

I agree, it really depends on the hospital. I got hired as a nursing assistant during nursing school and knew I wanted to work on the ICU after graduating. About 9-12 months before graduating, I started popping in monthly to remind the ICU manager I was really interested in working there after graduating. It took a few months after I passed boards for an opening to come up, but when it did, she remembered me and I was offered the job. Express your interest early - it can't hurt!!

[NPOaftermidnight, MSN, RN, NP]

All of the new grads that I know that got ICU jobs worked at the hospital first, except for one with 15 years of experience as a paramedic. So yes, I would say it definitely helps. Good luck!