CCN question

gasmaster · Jan 16, 2009

You need to apply for a critical care internship. Most hospitals have them now & they will train you after you graduate from school. typically the programs are about 3 months long & it's part class/part bedside education. Make sure wherever you work you'll get exposed to all the big things like vents, swans, gtts, etc.

My_brain_hurts · Jan 19, 2009

Depends on where you apply. I got an ICU job right out of school. The hospital doesn't have an 'official' internship program, but they are very good to new grads, good preceptor experience, really helpful group of nurses as a whole, I've learned a lot and continue to learn a lot.

New grad classes are great and all, but where you really learn is on the floor with your preceptor. Don't be discouraged, you can find a hospital that will hire you into an ICU as a new grad.

Good luck!

gasmaster · Jan 20, 2009

Depends on where you apply. I got an ICU job right out of school. The hospital doesn't have an 'official' internship program, but they are very good to new grads, good preceptor experience, really helpful group of nurses as a whole, I've learned a lot and continue to learn a lot.
New grad classes are great and all, but where you really learn is on the floor with your preceptor. Don't be discouraged, you can find a hospital that will hire you into an ICU as a new grad.
Good luck!

The key to getting into anesthesia school is the level of acuity of the patients you've cared for. Most level I & level II hospitals won't accept anyone into the ICU without an internship. These are the types of clinical settings that most CCRN programs are looking for. You need to be working w/ vents, potent drips, swans, and any other specialty devices for the type of ICU you work in (e.g. neuro ICU should work frequently w/ ventriculostomys). Plus, many programs require that you have your CCRN and if they don't still be aware that the clinical interview questions pretty much come straight from the CCRN. Most internships are geared to teaching you all the information that you will need to pass this exam. Good luck!

My_brain_hurts · Jan 22, 2009

I do work at a level I trauma center. It trains very well I think, it just doesn't have an "official" internship program. We see lots of vents, drips --although they don't uses swans very often in my unit. We have this other machine thingy for cardiac output, but nobody seems to like it very much. Lots of resp. failure, sepsis, ICP monitoring, etc. So, like I said, you can find a place that will take you as a new grad. Internships can be really awesome and helpful, however, I chose to work where I do --without an internship-- because I felt I'd get good experience there and I feel I have. Yes, you do want a high acuity ICU if you can find it. The more you see the more you learn :) I know some internship programs that sound very good, but people are unhappy/disappointed with their preceptors. I'd say --and this is just my personal opinion-- that finding a place with a good preceptor reputation is more important than the internship. If the precepting is good that's important because that is who you are on the floor with, caring for pts along side this person. Ask about 'new grad' classes, like CRRT, hemodynamics, IABP classes, etc. My hospital provides those off and on and as a 'new nurse' you are given priority spots in these classes, although they are not part of a scheduled internship program.

So good luck! remember hospitals are interviewing you, but you are also interviewing them to see if what they offer fits what you need as a new grad and the way you learn. But like I said in my first post, you CAN work in the ICU right out of school if you find the right place.