How to get ICU New Grad

[sajeunesse]

Hello all,

I am entering my senior year of a BSc Nursing degree at a top-30-in-world university (not sure if that's relevant). I appreciate that many say to get a med/surg job after grad BUT I would like to prepare myself for an ICU New Grad position as much as I can. Would someone please advise me if I am on the right track (I truly am not asking facetiously, but I want to know what else to add/gain experience in, or what I should look to do in my senior year)

• Not sure if they teach this in the US (I'm in Canada, but a US citizen so will be returning) -> IV insertion/removal/management, PICC line dressing/care)
• 3.8 nursing GPA
• BLS certification
• CNA at safety-net hospital in critical care COVID unit, floats to SICU, MICU, and Peds ED
• Was CNA at COVID nursing home
• VP of External Relations, Nursing Legislative Councillor, Nursing Senator (advocated for students on largest governing board of university), sat on 8+ university committees doing health policy and STI-prevention work at the student clinic
• Research Assistant for national clinical guidelines on homeless health
• Research Assistant for infectious diseases lab
• Did French -> English translation for student health policy association
• Mentor for Nursing Peer Mentorship Program
• Mentor for International Student Services
• Was selected to take Interprofessional Global Health Course at school (have certificate)
• Tour Guide for school
• Clinical Research in Diabetes
• First author publication in Medical Education Simulation Development
• Ran open houses for high school students to teach them about health professions, demonstrated IVs/phlebotomy
• Clinical rotations in Critical Care, Hem/Onc, Cardiac, Palliative, Community Care, Obs/Postpartum, Geriatrics, Psych (community care was half online following elderly client, half in person community project with local clinic)

Thanks all!

[Katie82, RN]

Please don't take offense to this, but I think you need to cut your "list" at least by half. As a recruiting agent, I would probably look at your list and put your application on the bottom of my pile. Looks like you may be much too smart and talented to be working on my floor as a new grad. You have impressive accomplishments, but you don't need to oversell yourself in your resume. Hit the high spots, then wait for me to say, "tell me about yourself". And then add a few more things that might be related to skills used in the ICU. And above all, don't tell me that you graduated from one of the top 30 schools in the world. That's a little subjective, I probably know who they are and will make a mental note. So relax, "slow your roll" a little, and focus on interview skills, they will most likely be the determining factor. Good luck, I hope you find the position you're looking for.

[Takeyla22]

Hey, not sure if you've landed your ICU position or not as of yet but here's my addition. I was a tech in an ICU 5 years prior to getting my LPN which helped very little since I was floated a lot. I went on several interviews where they all basically looked negatively at my LPN experience in LTC over my years as a tech. I have finally landed a position in the ICU after 4 interviews at different places. I asked each interviewee what did they think I could improve on & what may increase my chances. The last interview was mostly scenario based questions & while I knew most answers they were most impressed with my ability to ask for help when needed when I didn't know the answer. Some students in my class were techs, but most who got the jobs had great people skills, which is something that cant be taught. They want you to fit in with the current staff & feel at home. You can be taught the nursing skills. Good luck with your career.