Any advice on how I can get into an ICU unit?

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Specializes in CVICU, Transplant ICU, CCRN.

Hi guys,

I was an LPN for 11 years before I became an RN. I've worked M/S, LTAC, Psych, Geriatric. I am presently working LTAC and I am trying to go into ICU, but I keep hearing that there are no position that are open, and yet they are training fresh grads out of school for ICU. I am frustrated. Any advice? My manager told me that if I need to go to another hospital to get the experience then I should, but it seems hard to get in in all of the areas hospital. Your input will help.

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Do you live in a big city? I live in Cleveland area and I never hear of anyone having trouble getting into an ICU. I do hear of people not "cutting it" once they are in an ICU. Go to google and type in the state you live in and "hospitals" after it (ex: ohio hospitals). A list should come up of all the hospitals in the state you live in. Look at the hospitals that you are interested in and apply. Also, don't wait for them to call you. Call the unit managers and let them know that you have applied and that you are very interested. Sometimes it helps to send a resume directly to the manager. Be persistent but no annoyng, and you'll get in.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Hi guys,

I was an LPN for 11 years before I became an RN. I've worked M/S, LTAC, Psych, Geriatric. I am presently working LTAC and I am trying to go into ICU, but I keep hearing that there are no position that are open, and yet they are training fresh grads out of school for ICU. I am frustrated. Any advice? My manager told me that if I need to go to another hospital to get the experience then I should, but it seems hard to get in in all of the areas hospital. Your input will help.

Despite the nursing shortage, some ICU's still look for candidates with ICU experience. Go on the hospital websites in your area and see what the ICU positions are looking for. I've seen them say 2 yrs med-surg req, or previous step-down experience req.If you can't find anything in ICU, you can try a step down unit first. See if you can get into an ICU step down or a step down that takes high acuity pts. After you get some experience there, try again for the ICU. Many nurses use a step down as a transition to ICU and since you are getting some of the types of things an ICU gets (vents, some drips, etc) you will have a better chance of meeting their requirements. You may have to transfer hospitals to get what you want. Good luck.

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Another option is to look for hospitals that offer a critical care training program. Some of the big teaching hospitals around the country offer extensive programs, and these programs are geared towards new grads, or RN's that have no critical care experience. You may want to search for these types of programs.

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Specializes in CVPACU, CCU, ICU.
Hi guys,

I was an LPN for 11 years before I became an RN. I've worked M/S, LTAC, Psych, Geriatric. I am presently working LTAC and I am trying to go into ICU, but I keep hearing that there are no position that are open, and yet they are training fresh grads out of school for ICU. I am frustrated. Any advice? My manager told me that if I need to go to another hospital to get the experience then I should, but it seems hard to get in in all of the areas hospital. Your input will help.

I am sure you are frustrated especially since they will take a new grad over you. However dont be offended since that is not uncommon - when I was the Director of Critical Care we accepted new grads who had always had a desire to work ICU vs. a psych/geri nurse anyday (sorry). Just easier to train initially vs. retraining. Now with that being said you will have to show them you are serious about making the huge leap from LTAC to ICU. I would ask to speak with the Director or Unit manager directly and ask for advice. I would also start attending ICU specific educational programs to show them how serious you are. You can do it!!!!

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Hi guys,

I was an LPN for 11 years before I became an RN. I've worked M/S, LTAC, Psych, Geriatric. I am presently working LTAC and I am trying to go into ICU, but I keep hearing that there are no position that are open, and yet they are training fresh grads out of school for ICU. I am frustrated. Any advice? My manager told me that if I need to go to another hospital to get the experience then I should, but it seems hard to get in in all of the areas hospital. Your input will help.

Check out the hospitals in your area to see if they have a critical care internship program. This may make it easier for you to get in an ICU, plus you would have an extensive education component along with practical clinical orientation. The critical care internship is 6 months at the hospital I work for (teaching hospital), plus after the internship is over, there is nurse residencies for additional learning.

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