employment while in school

[jenn71]

I want to start working in the ICU as soon as I graduate from nursing school.So, I was thinking of trying to work as a tech in the ICU while I am in nursing school to get some idea of what it will be like. Can you do this as a student nurse....is it like an externship, etc...?

[jschut, BSN, RN]

I don't know if you can or not, but why not give it a try and see? I would!

Good Luck to you!:)

Julie:)

[Agnus]

I've seen it done. But be aware it is no guarentee you will get to work ICU after graduation. I worked ICU (for a short time) were nursing students worked as "apprentice nurses".

They were glorified nurses aids and no effort was made to teach these students anything about nursing or what it took to be an ICU nurse. Even though it was their goal to work in ICU after graduation.

They were in no way prepared by this experience to work ICU as an RN and were NOT hired after graduation.

[peaceful2100, BSN, RN]

There are some places that would hire techs in the ICU but let me forewarn you now. I know the hospital in my area they USE The techs for mainly housekeeping type duties and clerical type things. The thing a student would do may be like changing the bed, bath and that is about it. Some places will not even allow techs to do vitals in the intensive care units. My classmates were talking about that and they told us all not to take that position. So if you can find out about job duties that way you will not be in for a rude awakening.

Some places will guarantee a job and some will NOT it depends if they allow new grads in the ICU and if they even have a need for nurses in the ICU.