how do I know if I am a strong RN student to start in ICU

[nola04]

I will be graduating in May and I really want to start in ICU and cross train in ER after 3 years in ICU. I also want to start in a level I trauma center however, I am not sure if I am a strong RN. As this is the question I have been asked when asking RN's about wanting to start in ICU. They always ask "Are you a strong RN student" In clinicals I get A's but in lecture I am not so great due to RN school inflated grades my B's on a 4.0 scale are C's however, I am able to incorporate what I have read in lecture in clinicals so I am not sure and I believe that my instructor is not just giving out A's in clinicals. Most RN's are telling me to start in MedSurg however, I know this is not where I want to be. I have been externing in MedSurg since the summer and have also externed in ICU which I enjoyed seeing the more critical pts with the vents and drips. I am now going to spend the rest of my time as an extern in ICU. I know I still have time to make my decision however I am planning on applying for internships in Feb. Also the trauma I hospital that I want to work, I have been told that the preceptors "Eat Their Young" and make bets on which interns they will fail and this scares me. Did/does anyone else feel this way when you decided on your career path or as you are deciding your path and what are your thoughts now that you are a GN in your 1st year. Also do you think you made a good decision or did you stay with medsurg because of comfort or did you specialize and its not as bad as you thought.

Thanks in advance for all replies,

Nola:banghead:

[ZooMommyRN, ADN, RN]

Does your school have a practicum period where you work along with a preceptor? Not sure if this is a state to state thing, but ours requires 136hrs b4 you can sit boards, when we filled out our "wish list" for assignments I put Med/Surg in all three slots, and was terrified when I found out I'd been granted 1 of 4 ICU positions, but I found that I loved it and was offered a job on the unit I precepted on, my heart was and is still in med/surg so I'm on a med/surg floor with the same facility and get floated to ICU from time to time, had I not had the practicum in ICU tho I'd have never known and probably started wondering, talk to the instructors and tell them you'd like try for an ICU position for practicum.

[A_Simp]

Hi Nolao4,

I, too, wanted to start out in the ICU, especially since I had worked as an aide on that unit for over 2 yrs and was comfortable with the culture, etc.

Unfortunately, when I graduated last May, there were not any positions available and so I went to work on a very busy tele/cardiac floor with a lot of pt turnover.

While my goal is still to work in the ICU, (I'm planning on talking to the NM in March) I have learned a lot on the floor such as, prioritizing, calling MDs and most importantly developing a system/routine for my shift/pt assessments.

I think some time on a meg/surg floor will enable you to define your nursing style, gain some confidence and if you make some mistakes learn from them without the added stress of your pt being critically ill.

I realize this isn't really an answer to your question but just wanted to give you my perspective and my !

Good Luck!

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

i realize that this isn't the popular answer, or even the one you're looking for. but if you're not positive you're a strong student, you probably aren't. some time in med-surg or telemetry would be good, for all the reasons listed above. for some reason, everyone wants to start in the icu these days, although not everyone should.

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

Floor nursing is not for me and I always knew that. I would have been happy with a cardiac ICU, but NICU is my passion and I went straight for that. Med/surg might be helpful prior to an adult ICU, but NICU was pretty much all on the job training.l I don't regret it a bit!

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

I never thought twice about starting in critical care. My school did have a 6week elective where we worked where we wanted (clinical site) and I chose CCU. It was awesome, and I knew critical care was for me.

My first job was at a Univ.Teaching Hosp. in CCU, I was also working extra in ER withing 6 months.

The asset I had was confidence. It got me thru, sort of an attitude thing.:heartbeat

[RN1982]

When I graduated, I worked in progressive care which is considered a step-down area. Our patients were sick, too sick to be on a med/surg and not sick enough to be in ICU. It's considered critical care. We did have patients who would crash and be moved to ICU. But the experience is great especially if you are looking to go to ICU which is what I did. It definately helped me get comfortable with my assessment skills and organization.

Anyhow, you have to do what is right for you. If you don't feel you are strong then I wouldn't suggest going to ICU right away. I would suggest working step-down for at least a year until you feel confident in yourself as well as your assessment and organizational skills.