A question about experience

Nurses Career Support

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Hi there,

I'm just about to enter nursing school and I have a question about employment that I'm hoping that someone can answer. I KNOW that I want to work in an adult ICU. I have been looking at the employment (prematurely, but I'm just looking) available in my area, and every job that I can find in an ICU requires 1 year of ICU experience. We have quite a few hospitals in my area, and they all seem to require this. It's like I'm in a Joseph Heller novel. In order to work in an ICU I have to have worked in an ICU...

My question is, how do people break in? Anyone have any advice? If so, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Many times the advertised preferences aren't what they get, or what they are even willing to hire for. It just depends on the number of jobs open and the pool of applicants.

It depends on if it's that's hospital's policy to hire new grads. Many facilities now have orientation for new grads in ICU and it works out just fine.

Also, sometimes it's just the luck of the draw, and what their needs are,if they are in need of a nurse, and a nurse with 15 years of med-surg experience applies, they are likely to give them a break.

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Specializes in surgical, emergency.

I agree with Tweety (who wouldn't).

What you read on a job description is the ideal.

Kind of the price you set when you have a yard sale,,,,then you start dickering.

Get a good education, as much critical care as you can get. Keep a good attendance record, in other words, be a good employee, even in this day and age, I still believe the good team player gets rewarded!

If there's an internship program, you might try that.

My daughter got into one, and that led to a full time position. During the program, do you not only get unit experience, you get a feel on how the facility works, scheduling, hiring/firings, who to talk to, who NOT to talk to, etc.

Good Luck

Mike

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I strongly agree with the previous posters. There are usually plenty of opportunities to work in an ICU. You just need to keep heading in that direction as you choose learning opportunities throughout your schooling and early career. You might have to work on a regular med/surg unit for a little while, but eventually, if you do a good job, you'll get a chance to work ICU if you keep heading in that direction.

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Ah! Well, thats encouraging. Thanks very much for the input.

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