How to get into MICU or SICU?

[ET04]

Hi

I'm a grad of Dec 2008. I've been applying for a job here and there. My first thought was I wanted to get into Medical surgical ICU. Boy finding a job these days as a new grad sure is tough!!! The conclusion is I wasn't able to get into any hospital setting. I accepted a job at an outpatient dialysis center, but I still dream about becoming an ICU nurse someday.

My question is how can I make my self better so next time I apply for the position I can be more appealing?

Some of my ideas are: joining the CCNA, ANA, doing volunteer work at the hospital, shadowing a nurse at the unit to hopefully get to know the people there.

With all due respect to dialysis nurse, I don't think bieng a dialysis nurse may seem appealing when applying for an ICU position. Maybe if i was in a med-surge floor I'll have better chances to get in the ICU. So I thought about finding a med-surge position. Resign as a dialysis nurse in 6-mo - 1yr. Work as a med-surge, while looking for an ICU position. Then move onto ICU. My problem with that is, I don't think it's fair for the company or unit to train me then leave them. Second, it might look bad on my work history that I'm always quiting a job. But I can't help it though; my true passion is ICU.

What are your thoughts and opionions in how I should get myself into that ICU position?

[teegiv]

know what your goin through and i finally got in (somehow). get on a floor, stepdown if possible, and learn all you can. get decent at vents, strips, etc. and get your certs (ACLS, dysrhymias, iv's, etc.) and make nice with other icu staff. pick brains of resp. ther. and docs if able. let it be known that you want acute pts about 6 months AFTER you get on a floor. i was honest after 6 months and my boss seemed open and encouraging to my plans. other than that put the quaters in the candle box at church and say your prayers