Best transition into ICU?

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Hi guys! I just passed my NCLEX and my dream job is to work in the ICU, preferrably CCU eventually. I have no prior ICU experience except minimal experience during my ICU clinical rotations during nursing school and I know it is harder for new grads with no experience to obtain a job in the ICU right out of nursing school. So I was wondering what would be the best area for me to work in to eventually transition into ICU in a year of less, e.g. PCU or telemetry? Thanks!

I recently graduated and took a MICU job right out of college. My only previous ICU experience was my senior capstone so it's definitely possible. My advice would be to look for a residency program that takes new grads and be willing to move if you are truly set on getting into an ICU straight out of college. If not spend a year in tele/step down unit and apply to the ICU after that!

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Specializes in ICU.

I worked about a year and a half in med/surg (and like 9-10 months in rehab before that).

I don't remember much about my interview. I interviewed with MICU, SICU and IMC (aka step-down) all in one setting- it was incredibly nerve wracking! One tip that I can give you is to never comment on hoping/believing it will be easier because you "only" have 2 patients. Managers hate hearing that. And it's so far from true! There's a reason ICU nurses only care for 1-2 patients...those patients can be insanely busy! Let the manager know that you are a hard worker and love learning new things! Time management is a very important skill to have- so if you feel that's something you're good at, let them know that too.

Good luck!!!

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That's awesome to hear! How's working in the MICU as a new grad going?!

It's going pretty well. I have been on the floor for about a month now, and while I know I still have a ton of stuff to learn, I am feeling more and more confident every day. I think one of the reasons I and a few other new grads were hired is so the manager could have us trained the way she wants us trained.

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