How do you get critical care or emergency room experience?

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 9, 2016

Those job postings are seeking nurses who have experience. For many units in need, a nurse with experience in that specialty will require far less orientation than a new grad and thus will be up and running solo sooner. Many facilities have also been burned by new nurses who are looking to get that magical 1 year of experience and then move on.

All you can do if you are seeking employment in one of those areas is to look for positions willing to consider new grads, look for residency programs, or look for a job in another specialty that will at least get you access as an internal applicant.

The0Walrus, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2016

Right now, I have a year left of nursing school. Would it make sense to become a CNA at a local hospital and then once I pass the NCLEX be transferred? I'm asking this early on simply so I know what to expect and so if I can do something about it now I can take an active approach to it rather than just pass everything and have nothing going on. Once I get my cert I'll be stuck with the loan.

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 9, 2016

You still wouldn't be considered as having experience. They are looking for nursing experience only. You would still have access to the internal job postings, but they would still have to be willing to consider a new grad.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Jul 9, 2016

If you're fortunate enough to live in a job market where CC or ER units hire new grads, you apply and maybe you'll be oriented as a new grad on the job.

A far more likely scenario is you'll have to work first at a lower acuity position, like Med/Surg or LTC, for a year or two in order to beef up your rÃ©sumÃ©. Then you'll be a more attractive candidate for those hiring managers on the unit.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2016

what do you do to get that 1 year of experience if you're a new nurse?

You relocate to a dreadful geographic location with hospitals that still hire new grads directly into the ER and ICU.

These places include North Dakota, South Dakota, south Georgia, eastern Tennessee, south Texas (along the Mexico border), rural Kentucky, many parts of Oklahoma, and several other locales.

The0Walrus, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2016

A far more likely scenario is you'll have to work first at a lower acuity position, like Med/Surg or LTC, for a year or two in order to beef up your rÃ©sumÃ©. Then you'll be a more attractive candidate for those hiring managers on the unit.

I'm from Jersey. I wouldn't mind going the med/surg way or LTC road. Also straight from getting my RN cert I plan on going for my BSN just to keep learning. Of course one step at a time.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Jul 10, 2016

If you really want to work in an acute care setting straight out of high school, I'd advise getting a job now as a nursing tech at your local hospital.

Hospitals often hire nursing students as techs on the floors. You'll get familiar with a lot of the tasks of nursing, and get a feel for the flow of the work. Many unit managers hold open RN students for their techs who are soon-to-be-graduating students.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2016

I worked as a tech in an ICU which offered new grad ICU residencies. I made sure to make a good impression. When I neared graduation, I was basically a shoe in, because in addition to having stellar grades as required for the residency, they KNEW me, knew my work ethic, knew how my common sense measured up to my grades, etc.

Find out who does new grad residencies, and try to get hired as a PCT in those units while you're in school.

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Jul 12, 2016

See if the hospitals around you offer internships for critical care.

theseriousnurse2b · Jul 12, 2016

I also graduate in May of 2017 and want to go straight into Critical Care as a new graduate via a new grad CCU residency program.

It is extremely competitive. However, I am trying to do everything I can to get a foot in the door. I transfered from my PCT job at a LTC facility to a critical care/progressive care PCT job. This allows me to actually observe the nurses in those settings and make a good impression. I also work really hard at my studies and maintain a good GPA.

Clinical is really important too. I try to make the most of the opportunities that are available and make a good impression on the staff. It is important to focus on becoming a good nurse, not just NCLEX. Passing the NCLEX is neccessary, but you must be able to think critically and perform with technical excellence as an RN on the floor to be a good nurse. Certainly, only experience once I have my license will get me there, but I do make an effort to be as good of a new nurse as I can.

Finally, getting involved in a volunteer or leadership position beefs up my resume.

Be sincere as a person too. Managers will want to see a real person with unique interests and ambition. I try to be myself and not look like the CCU nurses that I work with down to a t.

Hopefully, the hard work will pay off.

PVCCHoo · Jul 13, 2016

Like Brandon and Horseshoe said, get a job now in the ICU you want to work in. Work really hard. Do more than is asked of you. Be early to every shift. Be a team player and take a leadership role among the other techs/CNAs and you will have a job when you graduate.

I worked in an ICU for the last year. Applied for the residency program with 1000 other new grads. Got an interview with my current manager. When I did the interview, her first question was "when do you want to start this summer?"

It really can be that easy if you just take some initiative.