Getting into ICU...exploring

Scrubz · Mar 7, 2007

Hey what's up.. I'm a male nursing student too and I plan on working an ICU right after I graduate. I don't know how senior nurses feel about new grads working ICU's, I'm sure the emotions are mixed depending on the nurse, just like with everything else. I don't know about any hospital, but I know there are plenty of places that will take new grads in the ICU, so I'm not really worried about not being able to find a position somewhere. I want to get into critical care from the get go!! I plan on being a CRNA someday and I wanted to get my foot in an ICU right from the start. Good luck with school!

ClassQ1 · Mar 7, 2007

Thank you Scrubz. What semester are you in?

nurse4theplanet, RN · Mar 7, 2007

I am a new grad in ICU. I worked as an extern on the unit for over a year before graduating. We have a formal six month orientation.

Do experienced nurses frown upon new grads in the ICU?

I haven't experienced this attitude in my ICU. Perhaps, because of the great orientation program...but everyone seems very accepting and eager to teach. I have seen many opinions on this board that suggest the opposite, however. Every unit is different. You definitely want to feel supported as a new grad wherever you go. Therefore, I suggest you look into extern programs if this is the area that you continue to be interested in.

What types of new grads go to ICU?

You don't have to be a genius, if that's what you are asking. As far as skills and assessment ability...a new grad is a new grad. I don't care how much some students overinflate their own egos...haha. The one thing that I must point out is that you must be a fast learner. The amount of information that you must absorb in such a short period of time can be overwhelming. I often go home and spend quite a bit of time studying and reviewing the different aspects of care, diseases, and treatments that I encountered that day. You will not be expected to perform on par with the very experienced ICU nurses, but you will be expected to be functionally independent when your preceptorship is over. You don't want to be a liability to your co-workers...this leads to some of the feelings of resentment and disdain that experienced nurses may exhibit.

Is it too early to be considering ICU?

You are in your first semester. You have lots of time to consider which area of nursing is the best fit for you. Explore all avenues. And do so thoroughly. Don't narrow yourself to one particular area, especially when you haven't had much clinical experience at all. If you do decide to go to ICU, pick a hospital that has a very well organized and in-depth orientation program.

If you don't get anything else from this post, I want to share something with you. THE MOST important thing that a new grad in ICU should learn is THEIR LIMITATIONS. There is nothing more dangerous than a new grad (In ICU or anywhere really) that is overconfident in their ability. You can never know enough. You can never ask too many questions. You can never be too careful.

abbythetabby · Mar 8, 2007

Several of the students who are about to graduate with me in a few months are going to ICU jobs. If you're willing to work hard, go for it. A lot of hospitals like new grads because they don't have to break them of bad habits they've learned elsewhere.

Medwynn · Mar 10, 2007

I would seriously look into getting an apprenticeship or something similar before you graduate in the ICU and see how you like it. The previous poster gives very good advice. You'll find out what you like during NS. Good luck

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Mar 10, 2007

I plan on going into either the ICU or an ER as a new grad. The magnet hospital here is very eager for new grads because they like to train them right out of school but they do expect you to have done a nurse externship in the ICU for a year and the orientation is good.

cardiac.cure03 · Mar 11, 2007

I have similar plans as you as far as grad school and such. I started in a CCU in November, and I love it! I learn soooo much every day, and I know that I have a TON more to learn. As long as you put your heart into it and be open to learning left and right, you'll be fine.

And to repeat... Do know your limitations. I'm asking questions about anything I'm not 100% sure of. Or looking it up... either way. Sometimes I feel like an idiot because I'm in an ICU and I still need someone present when I insert foleys and some of those "basic skills." But I'd rather have them there and make sure I'm doing things right than break sterility and cause a UTI.

In nursing school, really try to understand WHY things are happening because you have the books and notes right in front of you to look things up. It'll help you if you do decide to go into an ICU. For ex... Now, sometimes I'll have a patient that all of a sudden, their BP drops. I know what I need to do...i.e. ask doc about giving fluids, dopamine, etc. But it's easy to get so caught up in that and not really think about WHY his BP went down. Anyways, now I'm getting off topic...

If you want to be in an ICU, then do it. Good luck to ya :)