Going into the ICU as new grad

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Specializes in intensive and cardiac care.

Hello everyone! I am a new grad and will be taking NCLEX-RN next week! I need A LOT of help with making a choice between two units that have offered me jobs. I would also like to mention I want to be an ICU nurse.

I have a job offer in one hospital for a new grad residency program working in a step down cardio unit. The training program lasts 16 weeks. The new grad program has a really great reputation. I would be working nights (which i dont mind). I also have to work at this place under a 3 year contract, which I would have to pay $10,000 if I break it.

The other job offer is at the ICU at a county trauma, level II Hospital where I precepted for about 3 months. The staff and managers really loved me and offered me a place with them. I would also be working nights. This hospital does not offer a new grad residency training program like the other one, and I would only get 10 weeks of orientation. I also have been working in this hospital for 7 months on the med surg floor as a nursing assistant. Since I had a great experience precepting in the ICU and since management loved me, they transferred me to work in the ICU as an aid so they could hire me as a nurse right after I get my license. I have been working in this ICU as an aid for 1 month now. So total, I have experience precepting here as a nursing student and working in the hospital as an aid.

I am caught between these two options. I really love working in the ICU and I think its a great opportunity that I can go into the ICU right after school. I also have the advantage of knowing the staff already, including the doctors (residents & attendings), RT's and supportive staff. My heart says to go to the ICU but I am scared that I would be turning down a good opportunity if I decline the residency program at the other hospital. I also know many people say not to start in the ICU as a new grad so I am afraid of that too.

I honestly dont want to work at the other place. its in a city where I dont want to live or commute to for the next 3 years. I would only be going for the New Grad Residency Program because I know it's a great opportunity and I feel like it will adequately train me. The ICU I know Ill just get thrown in there and learn how to swim.

Please help! I just want to get some insight. Hopefully some of you have encountered this dilemma. Should I go somewhere else to get the trainng even though its not in a place I dont want to be, or should I go to the unit im interested in even though I wont get the proper training I could get from a new grad program?

Thank you!

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Specializes in Electrophysiology, Medical-Surgical ICU.

I say go for the ICU job...its in a place and around people where you are already making the comfortable so why not! Plus you probably know most of the daily routines and kinds of patients the unit takes and since they know you I would think they would be more likely to help you when needed. Plus it's an awesome opportunity that you will learn invaluable knowledge.

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Absolutely take the ICU job. You said it yourself….you don't want to work at the other hospital. Simply by reading your post it is evident your heart is in the ICU.

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Specializes in Eventually Midwifery.

I would def take the ICU job. I will add, though, 10 week orientation seems a bit short....

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Specializes in intensive and cardiac care.

Thats why I am also a bit scared, especially being a new grad. That is why Im not sure if I should go for the new grad training program. thank you for replying!

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Specializes in intensive and cardiac care.

but would only a 10 week orientation be a concern? Thats all I will get if I chose the ICU.

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Specializes in Eventually Midwifery.

Not sure, 10 weeks seems short, but maybe some ICU nurses will chime in. It seems like you would be in a supportive environment if you chose the ICU position so that would make the transition easier from orientation to independent nursing. And even though you would have a much longer training period at the other job, there is also a 3 year commitment, which seems excessive to me.

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Specializes in intensive and cardiac care.

I was thinking the same thing. Plus it would take me longer to get into the ICU if I start at a step down unit at the other place. Im hoping that if I take this job I will swim rather than sink lol

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Specializes in CVICU.

I started in the CVICU as a new grad and got about 14 weeks of orientation I believe. 12 is standard but I asked for a few more weeks and they gave me some. You should find out what exactly the orientation includes. Are they including classes in those weeks of orientation? For example, when I was in orientation, I would spend 1 day on the floor and 2 days in classes, and they considered that 'a week of orientation'. Do not listen to those who say new grads can't make it in the ICU. It completely depends on what your preceptor is like and how supportive the unit is. I would take the ICU job.

PS: A 3 year commitment as a new nurse on a unit you've never been exposed to is just asking for trouble.

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Specializes in Eventually Midwifery.

PS: A 3 year commitment as a new nurse on a unit you've never been exposed to is just asking for trouble.

^^^THIS^^^

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Icu would be my choice, although 10 weeks is not enough time to orient to it imo

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Specializes in intensive and cardiac care.

Can I ask why it's asking for trouble?

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