Moving into ICU, but don't intend to stay

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Hey all -I'm a nurse with 6 years experience (1 year med/surg, 5 years OR) that wants to move into ICU in preparation for CRNA. This puts me in a tight spot. When interviewers ask what my long term goals are, I tell them CRNA, and they know that I don't have intention to stay in their unit and I suspect it's why I don't get the job.

How do I navigate this? Truth be told, I anticipate staying in ICU 1-2 years before trying for school. I don't think it's fair to the unit to not be up front with them about this, especially if they ask, but I also understand they don't want to put the time and money into orienting me if I won't retain as long term staff.

I absolutely intend to give it my all and be the best nurse I can possibly be to them in my time there, but I won't be there long. Should I just leave the school part out (and then blindside them)? Or should I keep being up front until I find a department that is willing to take me on despite my lack of intended longevity?

Thanks.

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Specializes in CRNA.

I would be upfront with them. Let them know the reason that you want to be in ICU and that you will be a very hard worker while you are there. Luckily I had the same manager for both Step Down ICU and Med-Surg ICU (she runs both units) and she knew my plans. I was honest with her when I asked for a transfer to MSICU saying that I needed ICU experience for CRNA school but I would be a very hard worker while I was there. I gave her a timeline around 2 to 3 years and she was fine with it.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I would "put a positive spin" on the situation as much as possible by finding a middle ground between "shooting yourself in the foot" by telling them you are looking for temporary employment only ... and lying by saying you want to work for them forever.

The reality is that you have not yet been accepted in CRNA school -- and may never actually go to CRNA school. It's just something you think you want now. You might change your mind, some better idea might come along, you might apply and not get accepted, etc. So I would say things like:

1. I'm not sure, but I know I am ready to move on from my current job and would like to give the ICU a try.

2. I've considered CRNA school, but not ready to make a commitment. A lot might happen in the next couple of years and I am open to considering lots of possibilities. But regardless of what I eventually decide, I know that I am interested in learning to care for patients who are move complex and unstable at this point of my career.

Don't deny that you are considering CRNA school ... but don't make it sound like that future is guaranteed for you. Give the impression that you are open to considering lots of options -- including CRNA school, but also including falling in love with ICU nursing and staying there a long time. In truth, a lot really can happen over the next year or two that might change your mind.

Maybe I am just a good liar -- but that is what I would do.

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I have nothing new to add, I just wanted to chime in and agree with llg. I'm not a nurse, however, 27 years of employment, no matter the field, is all the same. llg is correct. You never know what will happen. I never thought I'd be at my last job for 8 years. My plan was only 1-2. I'd be honest that you are considering CRNA, but I would word it as llg has suggested.

Plus, I hate to say it but when employers need to let people go, they often could give two sneezes. I'm not saying be cold about it, but I am saying that if the tables were reversed, I doubt corporate would be as torn up about needing to let you go. Long gone are the days of employer longevity with pensions, etc. Now companies will let people go if they think they are retiring soon to not have to pay them benefits. Sad, but true. I feel like the landscape has become, to each their own, moreso than generations ago.

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Tell them you're highly interested in learning how to be the best ICU nurse you can be and your long term goal is to learn to be a charge nurse, implement new evidenced based changes on the unit with the managers approval, become a leader in the nursing community, become certified and proficient on CRRT, IABP, Rotoprone beds, CABG, hypothermia protocols, ventricular drains, etc and obtain your CCRN, ACLS, PALS, etc. Tell them you look forward to precepting new grads and new orientee's to the unit once you've obtained enough experience and proven your skill to do so. Tell them you want to be a standout at bedside procedures with the intensivist and pulmonologists (so they'll eventually write you impressive glowing letters of recommendation). Tell the managers you'll be interested in working full time and picking up as much overtime as they'll let you (because you're trying to put away at least $100,000 in a savings account).

Then leave and go to CRNA school.

The funny thing, coming from a guy who just got accepted into a CRNA DNP program, is that everything I just listed is what you're going to need to do and then some to be competitive for CRNA school. So just go ahead and make the managers day and tell them you'll do all these things, because they will love it. They don't have to know that the reason you're going to be a superstar ICU nurse is because you're aspiring to get into CRNA school. They already know most of their employees are either trying to get into CRNA school or toying around with the idea and trying to get up the nerve to try it. They also know a huge percentage of those who don't get into CRNA school or decide that it's more intense than they want to do will just go to CRNP school instead and leave anyway.

The ICU is a revolving door of bright nurses willing to work hard and learn hard to broaden their horizons and nursing skills. It's often used as a stepping stone and rarely do people stay in it as a bedside nurse for their entire career. Almost all the nurses I know who stay long term in the unit into their older age become "charge nurse" or "sepsis nurse" or "rapid response nurse" roles that don't take patients and mostly just walk around overseeing everybody else.

Plan that your journey to get into CRNA school will take 5 years anyway. It's safer to plan realistically and be surprised if you get it done within 3 to 4 years instead of 5<.>

Not to mention that a huge percentage of my fellow new grads who started in the ICU with me who all said we would go to CRNA school did in fact change their mind, or actually life changed their mind for them. Actually 4 years later I'm the only one starting CRNA school.

I hope this helps and good luck on your journey, enjoy the process!

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Great advice, everyone. Thank you!

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Specializes in Psych, IV antibiotic therapy med-surg/addictions.

Plus, I hate to say it but when employers need to let people go, they often could give two sneezes. I'm not saying be cold about it, but I am saying that if the tables were reversed, I doubt corporate would be as torn up about needing to let you go. Long gone are the days of employer longevity with pensions, etc. Now companies will let people go if they think they are retiring soon to not have to pay them benefits.

^^^ This

I have a solution, do not tell them your plans to become CRNA. This is why you are not getting the jobs. Tell them you want to gain more exp with sicker patients as a long term goal. Use your employer, because they are sure gonna use you!

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^^^ This

I have a solution, do not tell them your plans to become CRNA. This is why you are not getting the jobs. Tell them you want to gain more exp with sicker patients as a long term goal. Use your employer, because they are sure gonna use you!

I hate to be bitter Betty but alllll of this. I have kept my desire and plans to go to CRNA quiet because people get all crazy and treat you different if you tell them it really pisses me off because if you openly announce you are pursuing NP school you are congratulated but if it's anesthesia it's like people get insecure and jealous and come down on you.

Don't disclose your plans for CRNA school in an interview and if you are specifically asked say once you have years of a solid ICU foundation under your belt you might explore higher education opportunities but that is in the future...although most ICU nurse managers understand when they hire you there is a shelf life on most bedside icu nurses....it's nothing new. There aren't many who retire from this specialty.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.
including falling in love with ICU nursing and staying there a long time. In truth, a lot really can happen over the next year or two that might change your mind.

That's what happened to me. :) I haven't given anesthesia school a thought in years.

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Specializes in Heme Onc.

Just say that your long term goal is to advance your education as much as possible. You don't have to get into specifics and if they ask what education its perfectly OK to say that you don't know yet. I always use the phrasing "I haven't decided on a specific path yet, I'm still trying to identify what I'm really really good at"

Half-truths are ok sometimes.

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, ICU, CVICU, EP.

Is there a teaching hospital nearby? In my experience, they are more receptive to nurses who plan to stay for 1-3 years. Also, I have seen a definite culture change in critical care - by that I mean that there is a mix of nurses. Those looking to upgrade their skill set and knowledge in preparation for graduate studies and those who make their career there.

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