Could it be that an ICU job is easier to get just after graduation?

[Roland]

I ask this because as I explained in a previous post my wife has met brick walls in finding an ICU job despite trying all the major local hospitals. We thought she had one at a smaller rural hospital, but the nurse manager said that he was holding out for someone with two plus years experience. However, several of her fellow ASN classmates (with lower GPA's to wit) had no problem walking straight into ICU positions. Now it seems that everyone she talks to wants two years experience before they will even grant an interview (she was frustrated to look at the intra hospital computer system where she works to see that there were numerous unfilled ICU positions of various types). She's only been at her current position for six months and doesn't plan on applying to CRNA school until sometime in 2007 to start Fall 2008 however time (and the opportunity to gain precious experience) is ticking. My theory is that hospitals will consider "new grads" for the ICU, but if someone takes the step and goes to work in Med/Surg they then get tracked into a seperate pool where two years is the norm for ICU consideration. Any thoughts on this and is this some sort of a trend?

[Morguein]

Roland,

Is your wife mentioning during the interview that her goal is to go into CRNA school in 2008? If so, that may be a turn off to them, because they may see it as her not being a possible "permanent" canidate and that's what many ICU's are looking for. It is discriminating if they are not hiring her because she wants to go to CRNA school, but realistically, they are looking at that without saying so. There's nothing wrong with her having goals for advancement, but the ICU is also looking out for themselves too and they prefer nurses who are planning to stay for the long haul. They may see your wife's desire to go to the ICU as a means to an end and not to any benifit to the unit. I hope I have not offended you or anyone; but I'm just telling you this from what I've seen at my own hospital. Also, at my hospital, we have NO problems hiring medsurg nurses or new grads. They all do well depending on many factors (for example, their willingness to study at home, to take the initiative to learn and use the knowledge they've been given, their relationship with thier preceptors, whether or not they're self starters, etc...) I have no doubt that your wife will reach her goals.

[SigmaSRNA]

I'll be living in Florida, just as soon as my immigration is approved and I have my green card. I have a job offer at Florida Hospital. ICU interests me but I have no prior experience. Fl Hosp has an internship program for ICU but not sure if they'd consider me for one as a foreign nurse, and new to the hospital. Maybe I should just ask?

I agree. All they can say is no. Plus, there are a good number of teaching hospitals in florida. Jacksonville has Mayo, Orlando has Orlando Medical Center, Miami, Tampa. You have your pick. Plus don't just limit yourself to florida. Houston, Texas has the largest medical complex in the world. Too many hospitals, too many jobs. Check it out

[mont]

jmo i am currently in nursing school and doing a internship in the icu of a hospital that i work in. i thought that once i had my rn i was going to work in the icu, but now i am unsure. i bring my books with me everynight and am googling everything. it is a lot of information to know and put together and i am greatful for the fact that i am seeing all of this now BEFORE i jumped in to the deep end.