How do I land an ICU job in NYC?

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So I'm new to this website and I guess to make things easier I will start off with my credentials and then end with my dilemma.

Right now I'm a nursing student in Long Island University Brooklyn Campus and about 2 semesters away from graduating with my RN, BSN degree. I already have an LPN license from California and worked at Salinas Valley State Prison for roughly a year as a prison nurse. And thats the only experience I have. Now my goal is to become a CRNA but I know you're supposed to have at least 1-2 years of ICU experience (correct me if I'm wrong because I'm not quite sure). Now I've heard some pretty remarkable things about working in ICU and feel ready to be put up to the challenge and wouldn't even be surprised if I stopped there because of falling in love with the ICU. But, how does one land an ICU job as a new grad especially in NYC? I feel like everyone who does a fellowship or just gets the job has some sort of connection. I unfortunately do not have any connections and want to know the quickest way to land an ICU job or fellowship in NYC, TEXAS, or CALIFORNIA. I'm willing to relocate and take tests over again just to land this dream job. Please give me some sort of insight or advice.. that would be much appreciated.

Thank you,

Shibby7

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Get a job as an aide and transfer internally as internal candidates are considered before external candidates. That's how I got my Cardiothoracic ICU fellowship position.

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Thank you for the advice! By the way lets just say I don't get a job at the hospital i want to work in but I receive an externship/ internship.. is that just as good?

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Thank you for the advice! By the way lets just say I don't get a job at the hospital i want to work in but I receive an externship/ internship.. is that just as good?

Absolutely do that. So many of my peers are in various fellowships with me as a result of doing externships etc. Talent Acquisition will offer te hot item positions to those they know and internal candidates well before some random person offer the street.

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Yes I am definitely looking into doing various internship and externships. However do you by any chance know if your allowed to extern/intern during the fall and spring semester?

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Specializes in ICU.

My advice to you is regarding my experience in NY: I have been in your shoes, and have similar aspirations. My advice: baby steps. First focus on getting a job. The market in NYC is becoming more and more competitive. With a hospital closing almost every six months, you are competing against experienced nurses for jobs. That said, get your foot in the door as an RN and get experience - on the floor/stepdown/PACU/wherever. New grad jobs in ICUs are hard to come by, and if you do get in, it's enough stress 'learning how to be a nurse' on top of learning drips, vents, titration, etc...

Once you're in a job, do two things 1) learn as much as you can, and 2) network. Work and learn as much as you can when you get there - show colleagues and superiors that you are a team player and dedicated to your work. Find out who the ICU manager is and network, network, network to get on their radar.

For the record, my first job out of school was in a surgical stepdown. I worked for a year, then transferred to the Surgical ICU. I have now been there for a year. Personally, I am very happy I took this route to the ICU - I had a solid foundation of assessment skills, communication skills with patients (and surgeons!! Gah!!) and was able to take my experience to the ICU - where my focus was on learning drips, titration, NICOM monitoring, etc...

Good luck!

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any updates?

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Actually, I do have an update! Since I moved to New York City a year ago I don't really have any connects so I decided to volunteer to try and build those connects. After much trying and failure surprisingly, I landed an ICU VOLUNTEER spot yesterday at New York Presbytarian. So I'm hoping this will help me land an externship position or an ICU fellowship or something where I can get my foot into the door and get that ICU job. :) I'm super happy and excited! Hopefully this will work out and I land an ICU job once I graduate. Thank you for all the advice and tips you guys! If theres anymore let me know! :)

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I'm still in nursing school so I'm hoping this will work in my favor so that by the time i graduate I have a potential job ready for me. It should go smoothly right?

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NYP is extremely competitive, as I'm sure you know, but getting your foot in the door even as a volunteer will certainly help. I'm a new grad and I externed in the ED this past summer - I did really well and was offered a job before I even took my boards! A lot of new grads wait months and months for even an interview... I'm currently waiting to start orientation - It's usually a very slow process, but I got pinned in June, did my externship in June/July, got my ACLS and PALS in August, took my boards in September and will hopefully begin orientation in a little over a week.

As for new grads in the ICU, while a lot of hospitals require a certain number of years experience, a lot are hiring new grads because they are easily trained. I would ask around NYP because I know when I was looking for a job while waiting for my ED thing to come through, I saw a lot of NYP critical care positions but they required 3-5 years experience in critical care. But of course, anyone already there will have a better chance regardless of experience.

good luck!

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That's true, I didn't even consider that maybe NYP may require experience before getting into ICU.. I should look into it, but hopefully things work out and they train me as a new grad once I graduate. But I'm really happy to hear that you're starting orientation soon! Congratulations on passing the boards!

Shibby7

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