Didn't Get The Job Offer; Icu???

[Correen24254]

Hi everyone,

I now know that I didn't get a job offer from the ICU. I am really upset because they gave me an offer on a med/surg floor which was my last choice. I am confused on what I should do next. I have no desire to work on that floor. I will graduate in may 08 and my long term goal is to become a CRNA. Should I keep pushing for ICU or wait untill I get my foot in the door to expect someone to hire me into the ICU??

This is a really tough for me to figure out, thanks for the help.

:angryfire:uhoh3::uhoh21:

[PurrRN]

The ICU at my clinical hospital has already agreed to hire two of my classmates when we graduate in May. They won't take anymore new grads because they don't want to have to have too many training at the same time (which is understandable). However, the hospital allows for internal transfers after 6 months on the job. So, I'm taking a floor job and then going to request a transfer when I am allowed. I would rather work on a floor learning basic nursing skill and getting SOME kind of experience rather than waiting until a position opened up on ICU, which would be literally months.

Now, mind you, there are only two hospitals in my rural area and one is out of the question due to pay scale, so if you have many hosptials to choose from, you may get lucky by applying and waiting.

Lots of luck getting your ICU job.

[CHATSDALE]

not everyone gets their first choice right out of school,

check some differeent facilities and see what is available

if you choose to take the floor job tell them that you career choice will be icu and you will be on the inside to hear of any opening

yo have so many choices available to you don't be crushed by this little bump

[RedSox33RN]

I'm sorry you didn't get the unit you were hoping for. That happened to me last year, and let me tell you, I WISH I had taken the M/S job I was offered, instead of waiting for ED. At least I would've had my foot in the door at the hospital. Instead, I was working 3 different per diems jobs where I really didn't want to be, and ultimately had to move to another state to get into the ED. I am very happy where I am now, so maybe it was karma, but my advice would be to accept the M/S job. You never know, something may happen between now and May with another position opening up in ICU.

Good luck!

[Boston-RN, RN]

I say accept the position but keep looking for ICU. If you get another offer that is more what you are looking for (prior to starting) contact the hiring manager immediately and professionally let her know that you appreciate the offer but you got an offer that was more what you were looking for and thank you for the opportunity. With nursing jobs and new grads this is not uncommon.

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

One piece of advice for you: Do not tell anyone that your goal is to become a CRNA. Any manager hiring ICU nurses will take that as an indication that you're only planning to work for them for 1 or 2 years. It's best to leave that bit of info out of your resume or interview.

[llg, PhD, RN]

One piece of advice for you: Do not tell anyone that your goal is to become a CRNA. Any manager hiring ICU nurses will take that as an indication that you're only planning to work for them for 1 or 2 years. It's best to leave that bit of info out of your resume or interview.

Great advice. ICU orientations (particularly for new grads) are long and expensive. Few managers in their right mind want to invest in orienting someone who announces right off the bat that they have no intention of staying for more than a year or two.

The same is also true ALMOST ANY job -- including that med/surg job. Managers are hesitant to spend lots of money and other resources on orienting nurses who announce they are only looking for a temporary position. That's one reason new nurses sometimes get insufficient orientations before being "thrown into" a full assignment.

Lesson to be learned: Managers are much more likely to be willing to invest in you if they believe they are going to get a good return on their investment. They need to believe you are going to stay on their unit for more than a year before they will feel good about hiring you. For specialized positions with more complex orientations, managers look for a tenure of more than 2 years in order to feel the investment was worth it. Really ... on most units anyone who leaves in less than 2 years is considered a "bad investment."

[Correen24254]

To all who responded,

Thanks so much for your responses. I really appreciate them. It looks like I have alot to think about and learned not to tell them that I plan on becoming a CRNA in the future.

Thanks again