How to get into ICU

[ValerieRose2]

I just started Nursing school on October 7th. I'm very excited and learning about all things to do with nursing. I would like to be in ICU/other as a career.

My question is this...

Are hospitals willing to hire new grads into ICU/other in North Dakota or do I have to work my way up into ICU and if so... how long would it take?

[ValerieRose2]

When I say ICU/other, I mean something in critical care.

[HappyWife77, BSN, RN]

I started in a telemetry step down unit, after a year got into ICU.

[ValerieRose2]

Would telemetry include any of the following: MICU, SICU, CCU, TICU or NICU?

I'm sorry for asking such a naïve question, but I'm not quite sure exactly how everything works out yet. I've never had anyone talk to me about being a nurse before and what to expect.

Basically, my end game is being a CRNA and all of those count as critical care experience. I'm trying to map out my next ten years of life just to get the idea of how everything will turn out.

[HappyWife77, BSN, RN]

Telemetry step down, or a transitional care floor is where patients go when they are well enough to be discharged from the intensive care units you mention. Their heart rhythms continued to be monitored via telemetry. You will also want your BLS and ACLS certifications.

[ValerieRose2]

Do you know if any of the hospitals hire new grads in any of the CCUs? Telemetry sounds like a good choice though. You said that it took you a year in Telemetry to get into ICU? That would be fine... I'm hoping that telemetry is available when I start looking for a job in about two years.

Thank you for your comments, they are greatly appreciated.

[HappyWife77, BSN, RN]

You are welcome. I actually got hired on the cardiac floor I did my clinical rotations on. Try to do your clinicals were you will want to work at. Network if possible. Some programs offer preceptorship during clinicals...where they will hire you on as a staff nurse after you graduate and pass boards. BEST WISHES! Keep your dreams!

[ValerieRose2]

Sorry about the delay in my reply! I have been super busy with studying as hard as I can so I can get a good job later on. :) I will definitely look into Sanford, Essential, and possibly others to see if they have any program like that. I am really hoping that I get hired in a Critical Care Unit just because it is something that I am passionate in and I really want to help out those people that have had to have something done. I guess time will tell! Cannot wait to graduate in 2015!