How do you get into the ICU?

Specialties Critical

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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?

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.

Flight nurse after 1 year ICU? I think not

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Specializes in ICU, CCU, Cardiac.

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NU2ICU – Because we all start somewhere! for free help getting started in ICU or HDU/ CCU areas. Sorry for repeat post... don't know how to delete...

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Specializes in ICU.

get in...how do you get out the icu..

If you can relocate go to desperate areas.

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Specializes in CVICU.
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.

CCRN is a certification, nothing to do with any board. 'board certified' tends to refer to physician certifications upon completing a residency and passing their respective boards. I think to say getting your CCRN makes you 'board certified' is misleading. I would also strongly recommend against going into flight nursing with just one year of ICU experience, given that 2-3 months of that year are spent in orientation.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Get off the elevator on the 2nd floor and turn right through the double doors

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

I typically say "through the front doors."

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Getting in is the easy part, but getting out takes some work...

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Specializes in Operating Room.
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?

The feedback I am getting is that unless you are hired directly into the ICU you must do at least 1 to 2 years in Med/Surg or some acute care setting that would relate to the ICU. Currently my goal is to make it to either the ICU/ER/OR but right now I am an Neuro nurse and that helps a great deal. We deal with high acuity patients, seizures, strokes, telemetry, multiple med pass, and at any given time I can up to 6 patients.

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Specializes in Operating Room.
Getting in is the easy part, but getting out takes some work...

Why would anyone want to leave the ICU? I guess it's one of those moments when the grass is not greener on the either side because I am thinking of the patient to nurse ratio and the mere fact I can have more one to one time with the patient

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