How to Increase Chances of an MICU/SICU New Grad Spot?

[BiscuitStripes, BSN, RN]

Hi everyone,

I'm really hoping to land an MICU/SICU new grad spot when I graduate in about a year. I live in Southern California and I'm planning on applying locally here (Riverside/San Bernardino/Orange/San Diego/Los Angeles), as well as Western Washington (Everett/Seattle/Tacoma/Olympia) areas.

I'm currently per diem as an ER Tech through school and have been working hard at trying to make a good reputation for myself there in hopes of getting into our SICU unit, which also handles our Trauma ICU patients. I was recently allowed to train to become a trauma tech, and was also made a preceptor for new ER tech's.

Is there anything else that I can do either in school or while working as an ER/Trauma tech to increase my odds of getting into an MICU/SICU new grad job? I'm hoping I get my senior preceptorship in an ICU, and I'm planning on also applying for an externship in an ICU.

Thanks for any advice or insight, I greatly appreciate it!

[TheSameVein, BSN, RN]

I think everything you have done so far is great and should help your chances of getting at least an interview in an ICU. It's even better if you ended up getting that externship in an ICU. I'm not sure about your area, but it can help to have a BSN. It is competitive - my unit had about 50 new grads interview for only 2 spots.

Something that worked well for me was to get to know some of the management on your desired unit. If you can introduce yourself to some of them and network a bit, then that should also help your chances. Good luck!