Tips for getting into ICU as a new grad?

tutored · Sep 11, 2009

not at all true...I, and two other nurses I work with, went straight into ICU with ADNs...BSNs, with their extra management courses under their belt, offer no particular advantage to an ICU manager looking to hire (as a new nurse and a first position, that is)....We've had some BSNs start right on the unit out of college who can't dose liquid Tylenol. Don't let your lack of BSN be an issue - it isn't, not for your first job.

CoffeeGeekRN · Sep 12, 2009

I also am an ADN new grad who is working in the ICU. I think it all depends on what the hiring manager is looking for.

The primary reason I got this job was prayer! I have to give God all of the glory in my obtaining this position because I don't think I did so great on my interview with the manager. The other (minor compared to God) reason I think I got the job is because during my shadow day, I didn't just hold up a wall playing the observer. I jumped in and helped out where ever I saw a need. I helped turn very large pts, cleaned up poop, sat with a little old lady who was confused and anxious, and played Spanish translator for new admit that no one could figure out why she kept trying to get out of bed. Turns out she couldn't find her glasses and had to pee really bad!

When you go for an interview definitely ask about shadowing opportunities, and trust in God for all of you needs!

bigdreamsstartinSF · Sep 14, 2009

Wonderful thanks you two ^^^

MarillaMojo · Feb 9, 2010

Thank you for posting this question, its exactly what I need to ask :)

sunnycalifRN · Feb 12, 2010

Definitely, do an externship or final preceptorship in ICU, if ICU is your goal. We've hired both ADN and BSN new grads directly into ICU . . . however, we've had a "hiring freeze" for about the last 18 months. I wouldn't mention your CRNA goals in an interview because training a new grad in ICU is so expensive, my manager wouldn't hire someone if she thought the person would leave ASAP.

LuvScrubs2, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2010

I am so glad I found this post.... You'll give such wonderful advice and touch base on important points....

Thank you:D

nurseman78, BSN, RN, NP · Dec 6, 2010

I know this post is pretty old, but I thought I'd throw my two cents in.

I'm a new ADN grad from Weber State University in Odgen, Utah. Lately, the job market for new grads has dried up around here. Unless you have a foot in the door as a CNA or LPN in a hospital, it's hard to even get onto a med/surg floor, let alone an ICU.

The best way to get straight into ICU as a new grad is to apply for RN Critical Care Residencies. That's what I did. These residencies are actual paid jobs, they train you and orient you to one of their critical care floors. I applied to Vanderbilt University Medical Center's Critical Care RN Residency, and I managed to get in.

The nice thing about these direct entry residency programs is that they seem to care more about your potential than merely your experience. What I mean by this is that many hospitals only hire on RN's that have hospital experience. I have none, but I did a lot of other things to put "feathers in my cap", such as get A's in nursing school, work as a CNA for a home health company, and do my preceptorship/capstone at a good cardiac ICU in a Level 1 Trauma Hospital. In my interview I made sure to highlight what I've tried to do to prepare for ICU work. It managed to sell me to them.

My advice to new grads wanting to start in the ICU is consider moving for a couple of years to take a job in one of these residencies. The ones that I know offer them are:

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (2 times a year)

University of Utah ( 2 times a year)

Marquette General Health Systems, Marquette, MI (1 x a year)

Legacy Emmanuel Hospital / Versant in Portland, OR (1 x a year, must have BSN)

There are many more. You just have to do a lot of digging. I think Johns Hopkins has one, too.