First New Graduate Position

[Murse91]

I have often thought about were I would like to work straight out of college. Working as a tech has taught me that I do not like a typical med-surg floor. In fact I've been really keen on ICU or Ortho!

A lot of people have been steering me clear of ICU, saying that med-surg is crucial right out of school.

What is your guys' input on this? Your experiences?

[THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN]

I'm a new grad with six months experience on a neuro med surg floor. I initially wanted to go to baby land but now I'm glad I started where I did. I'm learning so much already and I'm happy I started with a strong base in general med surg.

Ps I was also a CNA and unit coordinator on this floor beforehand so I know it's tempting to leave the nest.

[RescueNinjaKy]

Personally I feel that a nurse needs some experience in med surg prior to icu. It is better for the patient and better for the nurse. When a patient in icu dies, the new nurse might start to doubt themself and think that if a more experienced nurse was assigned then perhaps the patient wouldn't have had that kind of outcome.

Rational or not, that kind of guilt can be quite debilitating and shatter the foundation/confidence of a new nurse.

[zzbxdo]

If you have the opportunity to go strait into an ICU go for it. Why start somewhere you don't want to? You're gonna have to dedicate some of your time off to review. A good program will pair you with a strong preceptor and you'll start slow and steady and work your way to more acute 1:1 and 1:2. You'll have the time to go through the systems critically, it's not like you'll get tossed into a hell hole. Really, I don't see why people suggest going to medsurg prior to ICU. It's different. You have peers who are going to support you. My area has a critical care program which all of the new grads of San Diego attend (Ucsd scripts sharp va). It's several sessions, year round. Of course not every region offers this. At the very least you have l have the support of the cns and educators along with your seniors. Usually ICU New Grad programs have a longer orientation time. If there's an offering and you want it, then surely you'll have the support to thrive.

[Murse91]

Thanks for the responses guys!

The reason I want to start out in ICU is tied to my belief that if I challenge myself and start off in the deep end then everything else in nursing will, not become easy per se, but will come with greater ease. I'd rather hit the ground running rather than have to play catch up (I've done enough of that in nursing school ).

[FutureNurseK]

Congrats I'm rooting for ya