ED to ICU: Hard Time Getting an Interview because ED Experience Doesn't Count?

[BiscuitStripes, BSN, RN]

I have a question for anyone who works in an ICU or made the ED to ICU switch.  I'm trying to do the same with 7 months ED experience, and maybe that's my problem, but I've been denied for every ICU job I've applied to without even an interview or email.  Several I don't hear from and my application just gets changed to not selected, but two hospitals told me that ED is not inpatient acute care experience, and therefore I cannot be considered for the ICU position (even though the posting says 6 months RN experience). 

Yes the ED is not "inpatient" but I care for all patients in the ED...med/surg, PCU, ICU, etc.  I titrate drips in the ED (levophed, Neo-Synephrine, esmolol, Versed, fentanyl, propofol, etc.), I manage vents and vented patients, we put arterial and central lines in the ED and I manage those, I have 1:1 patients where I don't leave the room for several hours, etc.  We intubate people in the ED, we run more codes in the ED than I'd bet ICU does, I work with hospitalists and intensivists on a daily basis.  How would being a med/surg nurse prepare me for the ICU, but the ED doesn't?  That makes no sense to me.

Does anyone have any tips or suggestions for landing an ICU interview with only ED experience? 

[Wedgepressure, ADN, EMT-B]

I know a ton of nurses who have gone from ED to ICU. It's a pretty reasonable transition in my opinion.  Here are a few thoughts I have that may be slowing things down in your transition. 

1. You only have 7 months of nursing experience,  ICU mangers are looking for nurses who are going to stay long term. It takes a long time and a lot of money to train you up and they want a return on the time and money invested. This could be considered a red flag to hiring managers.  If your percieved as job hopping. 

2. How your resume is worded can have a large impact on how easily your resume lands on ther desk of a hiring manager.  You need to promote all of ther critical care education and skills byou have gained on your experience and skills portion of your resume.  

3. Your interviewing skills are what make or brake the job offer. For instance I have had 4 cath lab job offers all over the country as a new grad with less than 6 months of expertise and a 30 minute zoom interview because of my interviewing skills.  If you sound like an ICU nurse in the interview and your passion for critical care is recieved well your experience is not really important.  This is just my experience. 

Best of luck