Breaking into Critical Care

[ElectricS1X]

Hello Fellow Nurses!

I have a question/topic of discussion for you. I'm relatively new to the field of nursing having been working for the last three years. The latest of which (actually just a tad longer than a year...) I've been working on the acute care level on medical/surgical units. To make this the Reader's Digest Condensed Version, I want a new job and I'm really hoping to be able to break into the critical care field of nursing. Any pointers for someone trying to change specialties like this? I know units will hire new grads into critical care areas, so someone with experience should seem like a shoe in! However, it's seeming it may not totally be that way. Thanks in advance!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Is it possible to move into ICU with your current employer? If so, make sure that people know you want to do this. Talk to your current manager first in order to avoid any unpleasantness later on. Career growth is a good thing - no right-thinking manager will be upset with it. Then, talk with the ICU manager(s) and HR. Make sure that everyone knows you are serious about this move... and that if they don't provide you with an opportunity, you'll look elsewhere. It's much better to keep an experienced nurse than lose one to the competition.

In the meantime, you can bolster your clinical knowledge by taking advantage of any advanced training opportunity that comes along. Mastery of basic arrhythmia interpretation is a must. Become ACLS certified. Other important areas include hemodynamics and advanced med admin - including calculations relevant to titration.

Best of luck to you in your career progression.