How hard is it to move to ICU from LTC?

MaryAnn_RN · Jun 10, 2008

I would get as much acute experience as possible for at least the first year after qualifying, to leave your options open.

MagnesiuM · Jun 10, 2008

Thanks for the quick reply....

Here's my complication: I'm moving to another state as soon as I graduate (taking my NCLEX in the new state to avoid transferring licenses, etc...)....

Wouldn't it be easier to get a LTC job from another state w/ no experience than any hospital job (med/surg, etc.)? I just figured LTCs are even more short of staff than hospitals, and I'm nervous about job hunting from another state....although I've read some posts here about other new grads doing it. They just called ahead and made the arrangements!

Thanks!

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2008

Here is my thought and please all you exp ICU nurses correct me if I am wrong---In my opinion ICU 's hire:

A) new grads (like me) that they can "grow and groom" the way they want them trained--we are a blank slate in their mind, and are full of eagerness and willing to learn.

B) they hire exp ICU nurses so that they can benefit from their knowledge.

The ICU I work in will hire the occasional new grad if they have the right attitude, they mainly hire the exp ER/ICU nurses. Out of our entire staff we only have 2 transfers from Med Surge--and they were relatively new nurses who showed lots of eagerness.

During my interview I was told by my boss that yes I lack the skills, but I have the right attitude (what ever that may be) and self confidence and you cant train in that, but they can train me in the skills part.

What i am trying to say is...if you want to work in ICU i think you will have a better chance doing it as a new grad vs transferring over from LTC.

Best of luck in your exciting future and good luck on your Nclex!!!

NeosynephRN · Jun 10, 2008

Many hospitals in many areas have new grad..internships. Find one of these in the area you will be moving to and apply early!! Get a spot in a dept you want to work in, do not settle because you think it might be easier. I am not sure how easy down the road it would be..I know in my ICU we have one woman that came from LTC..she struggled, but she is a foriegn nurse..very smart, just learning so much all at once...ICU, a new country, refining her language skills. Ugg I am rambling...look for an internship...that is my advice.

deeDawntee, RN · Jun 10, 2008

There is a lot of good advice on this thread, and certainly there is truth in all everyone has said. I can only share my own experience.

I started out in LTC and although people believe it is on the "other end of the spectrum" from ICU nursing...I believe this, that good nursing care and assessment skills are the same in EVERY area of nursing. As a new grad in LTC, I learned a ton, and many of those experienced LTC nurses had the same depth and breadth of knowledge and compassion as any nurse anywhere. What I learned that really none of my coworkers in ICU have now is a knowledge of those iminent signs of death. ICU and most hospital nurses don't have a clue about that since death is really the enemy in the hospital and often a welcome friend in LTC. Also, most hospital nurses are very reticent about those hospice or comfort care patients they are assigned. As a LTC nurse, you will have a huge gift to give those patients and families you do encounter who are dying in the hospital.

I think you can drive your own career path and you can make it work for you in anyway that you desire, I have done so many different areas of nursing and plan to keep exploring as many areas that interest me as long as I can. ICU nursing is very cool, but the truth is it entails a very narrow range of skills for a specific patient population. Of course, all those skills build on the base of skills that you have learned and developed from all your past experience. If I were you, I would try not to plan too much, to keep yourself open to what shows up in your path as you go along. Experience all that you can!! That is one of the very best things about nursing!! Of course this is IMHO!!

:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat

MagnesiuM · Jun 11, 2008

Thanks so much to all for the replies, and thank you deedawntee for the encouragement! you know, i started thinking about that after i posted it.....for every story of "no" there's a story of "yes", and i think things happen as they should, but also as we create them.

I don't know what will happen over the next year, or the years after that, but i do know that i can choose my own path, largely, in a nursing career. it's just being able to figure out what i really want that has always been the challenge for me :-)

i'm sure things will be clearer a year from now, when i'm deciding where to apply....but first i have to make it through school!!! and miami traffic. phew!

deeDawntee, RN · Jun 11, 2008

Thanks so much to all for the replies, and thank you deedawntee for the encouragement! you know, i started thinking about that after i posted it.....for every story of "no" there's a story of "yes", and i think things happen as they should, but also as we create them.
I don't know what will happen over the next year, or the years after that, but i do know that i can choose my own path, largely, in a nursing career. it's just being able to figure out what i really want that has always been the challenge for me :-)
i'm sure things will be clearer a year from now, when i'm deciding where to apply....but first i have to make it through school!!! and miami traffic. phew!

You are absolutely right, Mag, also don't be too worried about figuring out what you really want. Nursing is very forgiving in that it is an acceptable part of the nursing culture for one to seek his/her own niche. The first 2 years that I was a nurse, I had 6 different positions and it was not questioned when I explained that I had not found my niche. It is all about your attitude and your lack of shame in that you have the right to keep looking until you are happy. This may be very different than other areas or industries where you find a position and stay there until your dead....it just isn't that way in nursing!! (another great thing about being a nurse!!)

You are going to have a great voyage!! ;)

cpillow · Jun 13, 2008

Agree with all of the advice above. I started out in nursing in LTC, because I simply wasn't ready for acute care. Moved into acute care at my own pace, did a little home health on the side. 10 years later, I am a happy and very well rounded critical care nurse. IMHO, do what feels right and move through your career at your own pace. You'll be happier in your career if you cater to your own skills and abilities. In the end, your patients will benefit. :-)

MagnesiuM · Jun 13, 2008

Thanks to all of you for your time and advice! I feel more confident about the future, and ready to take on anything!!! (except, maybe i'm not quite sure i'm ready for nursing school :-P LOL)

who knows, maybe i'll become a midwife? LOL

deeDawntee, RN · Jun 13, 2008

Thanks to all of you for your time and advice! I feel more confident about the future, and ready to take on anything!!! (except, maybe i'm not quite sure i'm ready for nursing school :-P LOL)
who knows, maybe i'll become a midwife? LOL

What is great is that Allnurses.com will be here. Keep us updated, will you?

:chuckle:chuckle:chuckle

RNFELICITY · Jun 18, 2008

You know, I was scared to death when I graduated from school. I started out in what I knew...LTC. I made little hops along the way honing my experience and broadening it by changing units about every 2 years. I think it has made me a well rounded nurse with a lot of different experience to offer my patients.