Getting to ICU

[jscott92]

I am wanting terribly to be in an ICU when I am done with nursing school. I am about one month away from graduation. I currently work on a med/surg unit at a local teaching hospital. It has over a 600 bed capacity, and is ranked the best hospital in the area. I have floated to the different ICU's a few times, and I am extremely passionate about ending up in an ICU. Unfortunately the hospital I currently work for will not even accept applications for New Graduate nurses in the ICU unless you currently work in that ICU or did your Senior Practicum in an ICU. Unfortunately my school was not very accommodating with our senior practicum placement and placed me on a med/surg unit. My question is for those of you who may already work in an ICU is do you think if I applied at some smaller more rural/ suburban hospitals that I would have a chance of getting hired in another ICU? I was hoping that if I was to apply to a level 2 or level 3 trauma center that I may have a chance? If you do not think I have a chance what do you think is the best path for me to get to an ICU?

[CNACJ]

I know many RNs who move out here to ND to gain experience in ICU/NICU

[Trilldayz,RN BSN]

Ive been in the ICU going on 5 years, started as a new grad. I definately think that you should apply to the smaller ICUs, if you can first. I have found that its easier to jump from ICU to ICU in different hospitals than it is to go from med surg/er/l&d/Pedi to ICU (even in the same hospital.

[brownbook]

I am confused, are you an ADN RN who is currently working as a RN in this hospital and have floated to the ICU's in this same hospital. Now you will graduate with your BSN and they won't hire you to the ICU because of where you did your practicum? (That is really stupid, believable but stupid.)

I suggest you sit down with the managers of the ICU's where you currently work and get straight from the horses mouth what your chances/options are. Ask them if they suggest you applying to other hospitals ICU's or if they ever hire from within the hospital a good, eager, med/surg nurse? (If they don't I wouldn't want to work a place with such idiotic ideas anyway!)