New RN Grads in MICU??

[Arr Ennin]

Thank you for your opinion. What do experienced MICU RNs really think about having new RN grads working alongside them? Honest opinions, 20/20 hindsights, personal experiences, I want to hear ALL of it! Are they helpful? Is it insulting that you have to help train them? Are they missing any learning experiences by skipping med/surg?

[ICU, RN, BSN, B.S.]

Hi, I'm not a new grad. I am new to the MICU/SICU. Been there 3 days, lol. Have been an RN for almost 3 years--in Aug 3 years. I'm not sure what the ICU nurses think of new grads in the unit!

[Arr Ennin]

Thanks for your reply, Roobie! Do you feel like you would have missed any pertinent skills had you gone straight to MICU/SICU?

[RNpatterson]

I work as a tech in an IMCU as well as the ICUs in a large hospital that is open to hiring new grads and the training is more than adequate. Nursing is an opportunity for continuous learning - nurses, experienced and new, are always asking questions in my departments and everyone is willing to help their fellow workers. I could not imagine working anywhere else when I graduate and I know I will do fine if I am offered an RN position.

Are there some who would benefit from spending time on other floors before transitioning to ICU? Absolutely. Does everyone need this outside experience? No.

Take my opinion for what it is - a student's opinion. But I can say that the nurses all work well in my units; each department is like a family and new employees are quickly welcomed into the "family" if they are hard-working and eager to learn (thick skin and the ability to catch on quickly goes a long way too). It isn't easy but it's worth it if it's what you KNOW you want to do. :)

[detroitdano]

Depends on the new grad.

I started along with other people who were also straight out of school like myself. Some did not do well and continue to be mediocre. I strived to learn everything I could and after having been there only two years I've got the veteran nurses on the unit saying "Go ask Dan, he probably knows."

We are also a large teaching hospital that strives on continuing education. Our orientation was nothing less than stellar. If a new grad starts off in an ICU where the orienting nurses look down on lack of experience and the grad has no help off the unit such as mock codes, lectures, etc. they will suffer for it no matter their intelligence. The unit has to support them in order for them to be successful.

[ICU, RN, BSN, B.S.]

Thanks for your reply, Roobie! Do you feel like you would have missed any pertinent skills had you gone straight to MICU/SICU?

I'm not sure. I think it's a good idea to start out on the floor for a while. Time mangement and such, see a lot of different/common medical diagnoses.

[nursgirl]

I work ICU and started there as a new grad. I agree that it depends on the nurse and the training/support provided. My hospital provided excellent training and preceptorship.. but I also had to put in the work and that first year was pretty stressful. EVERY night after a shift I would go home with a little piece of note paper to look up all the questions I had thought of throughout the day so that I could be sure I understood the answers and rationales. I still do that. I work with some excellent veteran RNs and NPs who LOVE to teach and are amazingly knowledgeable. I think if you have a passion for critical care and are willing to put in the work AND have people who are willing to pass along their experience, then it can be a great experience!!

[formyinfo]

Thank you for the confidence in new nurses. I have to agree that as a nursing student doing clinicals at the hospital, I do not see exactly where working on a med/surg floor would prepare me for a position in ICU. They are two different birds as it appears to me. But, I am only a student....could be missing something