Helping new RN getting into ICU?

[Shayna24]

I am currently a senior in my BSN program and work as a nursing technician on a med surg unit, and am committed to working there a year after I graduate. I am thinking about cutting my year early though because I want to work in ICU and that is what really excites me.

I was wondering for you experienced people out there, do you think it would help me get a job in ICU if I had some certifications, classes, etc. that are related before starting? If I took some EKG classes, got my PALS or ACLS certification, etc. before getting into ICU? I am just trying to set myself up so I will be able to go straight into the ICU after having about 6mo. experience as an RN. Any suggestions?

[PJMommy]

Have you sought a job in ICU now? I came to ICU as a new grad and, having floated to other units, am absolutely certain I made the right choice in stepping directly into critical care. You have to be able to effectively tackle a learning curve that is straight up, but it can be done. Our ICU is trauma/neuro/surgical/medical at a large teaching hospital and we hire new grads a lot.

We send new nurses to PALS, ACLS, critical care classes, etc. and it is paid for -- whereas non-critical units will not pay for their nurses to attend these classes.

Do you have the hospital in mind where you want to work? Check out their orientation program for new grads in ICU (mine was 3 mths with the option to extend it if I chose) and go talk to the unit manager and ask exactly what *they* want to best position you for a position in the ICU.

[Shayna24]

Thanks for the info! I am planning on looking into the hospital I want to work at which is a teaching hospital.

Have you sought a job in ICU now? I came to ICU as a new grad and, having floated to other units, am absolutely certain I made the right choice in stepping directly into critical care. You have to be able to effectively tackle a learning curve that is straight up, but it can be done. Our ICU is trauma/neuro/surgical/medical at a large teaching hospital and we hire new grads a lot.

We send new nurses to PALS, ACLS, critical care classes, etc. and it is paid for -- whereas non-critical units will not pay for their nurses to attend these classes.

Do you have the hospital in mind where you want to work? Check out their orientation program for new grads in ICU (mine was 3 mths with the option to extend it if I chose) and go talk to the unit manager and ask exactly what *they* want to best position you for a position in the ICU.