I am looking ahead at my career options and am interested in ccu specifically, failing that icu/er. My question is, do most hospitals hire new grads for these fields? I know most places advertise 1 or 2 + years experience required, but then you hear stories of others getting in from sheer desperation of the hospital.
By the way, I am doing the BSN program that has a component of Critical Care in it (16 week long specialty incorporating 40 practicum hours) although its not equivalent to a CCRN.
i agree with galore. i am in the bsn accelerated. i don't graduate until first week in august and i just landed a trauma icu position this past week for a trauma 1 hospital. i believe you have to beat everyone to the punch. i was going to apply in june like every hospital told me but then my cousin who is a crna told me that everyone and there mom will apply at the same time. you need to stick out. so research, be prepared and get an interview. what helped me out was the postings of interview questions on this site and already knew what they will ask me. if you really want to work in icu and think you can adapt and be a strong icu nurse then go for it. remember you have to know that you won't know everything, in the icu you only gain critical thinking through experience.
I graduated in January 2008 and I am currently working in the ED/Level II Trauma unit. They do hire new grads. I love it, but there is still TONS of stuff to learn. You really get the basics in school, or at least I did.
Hello everybody, I am graduating in May and looking for any icu positions in Philadelphia vicinity. Any of you know of any openings please let me know!!
In my June graduating class, I have classmates that have hired on to a variety of specialty areas straight out of school, including ICU. NICU, PICU, ER (several went to a Level III trauma ER), OR, and PEDS. In my graduating class those that are going into med-surg as new grads are in the minority.
jemommyRN
587 Posts
I graduate in May and start June 23rd in ICU.