How do you get into the ICU?

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I am wondering if you can work in the ICU immediately after becoming an RN or do you have to get further education? Or do you have to get a completely different education other than an RN degree?

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Our icu offers new grads a 3 month residency program

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I worked as an ICU tech 3 years and got an ICU job as an RN because of it.

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I put in 2yrs on Med surg then transferred. I am so glad I did it that way to get some nursing experience under my belt before increasing acuity.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Get off the elevator on the 2nd floor and turn right through the double doors

Sorry, I'm having one of those days...

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Specializes in ED, Critical care, & Education.
I am wondering if you can work in the ICU immediately after becoming an RN or do you have to get further education? Or do you have to get a completely different education other than an RN degree?

You can start wherever your heart desires. Some areas just may take longer to get into, more creativity in making connections, and more drive on your end.

Start by getting additional certifications to set yourself apart. Take ACLS and TNCC (especially if you plan to apply to a trauma hospital). Does the hospital you want to apply to offer a critical care course? If so, I would recommend paying for some of these courses on your own to gain knowledge and network simultaneously. Often the connection of knowing when a job will be posted before it actually is can be of benefit. If they like you and want you, they may not post the position for any longer than required.

Congratulations on embarking on the journey! Super exciting!

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Specializes in NICU, RNC.

Depends on your local nursing climate. I'm in an underserved area, so quite a few of my classmates went straight into new-grad ICU residencies. And I am going straight into a NICU new-grad residency. And this is with ADN.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Get really really sick?

I,too,am having one of those days.

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Specializes in MICU.

Starting out as an ICU new grad is tough, but SO WORTH IT!! I started in a medical/surgical ICU right out of school.

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry, Cardiac/Renal, Ortho,FNP.

Short answer is yes you can get ICU as a new grad. Long answer is find a hospital that has high turnover (which is not good news) and you have a better chance of getting whatever you want to start. Longer answer is having some med surg before you walk into the action helps and might be better for you or a step-down unit.

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Specializes in CICU, Telemetry.

A lot of hospitals have some amount of classroom or virtual courses to take.

If I have to take ECCO a third time I will gouge out my eyeballs with a rusty fork. Took it once for my intermediate care job, but not the vent module. Just had to retake the entire thing for the new job.

Another hospital I interviewed at has you full time in class for like, 6 or 7 weeks and having to pass tests prior to orientation on the floor.

Once you're in ICU for a year you can take your CCRN and be 'board certified'. And then you're all ready for CRNA or flight nursing.

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Specializes in CVICU.

I got hired into an adult CVICU before I even graduated ADN school without any tech experience. It really depends on where you live.

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