ICU or ED as a new grad

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I will be graduating from an accelerated second degree nursing program in October and am unsure what department to apply to. I am mainly interested in ICU and ED, both for different reasons. ICU for the constant learning, increased patient advocacy, and opportunities it will open up in the future. ED for the learning, fast paced atmosphere, and constantly changing environment. My goal as of now is to possibly work for a few years and eventually travel and gain more experience but that can easily change depending on my life then.

I have been told new grads would never last in the ICU or ED. I've also been told I need multiple years before even considering applying to the ICU. This makes me question what the correct thing to do really is.

Any ICU, ED, or any nurses have advice on what to pursue? Thank you in advance!

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Hi, I know you're well passed your graduation date. Maybe this will help someone else? I don't know what you ended up doing, but I know plenty of RNs who started in ED and ICU as new grads. One of my friends said that her hospital prefers new grad in ED because they don't have medsurg habits (I'm not sure what that actually means LOL). So many of my mentors who are in the generation above me tell me to start in medsurg to learn the basics but everyone in my generation told me otherwise saying if you hate medsurg, there's no point in burning yourself out getting fundamental experience you're gonna get in ICU and ED anyway.

I'm a new grad interviewing for ICU fellowships, and I've been asking the same question and those are the responses I get.


TL;Dr - It's better to start in a unit that you love and be excited to learn than be in medsurg where you'll end up burning yourself out and losing motivation.

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2 minutes ago, _allnurse said:

Hi, I know you're well passed your graduation date. Maybe this will help someone else? I don't know what you ended up doing, but I know plenty of RNs who started in ED and ICU as new grads. One of my friends said that her hospital prefers new grad in ED because they don't have medsurg habits (I'm not sure what that actually means LOL). So many of my mentors who are in the generation above me tell me to start in medsurg to learn the basics but everyone in my generation told me otherwise saying if you hate medsurg, there's no point in burning yourself out getting fundamental experience you're gonna get in ICU and ED anyway.

I'm a new grad interviewing for ICU fellowships, and I've been asking the same question and those are the responses I get.


TL;Dr - It's better to start in a unit that you love and be excited to learn than be in medsurg where you'll end up burning yourself out and losing motivation.

Yes it is past that but passed my NCLEX and began working in the ICU (what I really wanted)! I agree and hav gotten the same feedback as you regarding picking a specialty to start in. Some people praise starting in medsurg for 2 years then specializing. But others are all for starting in a specialty so you don't have those "habits" LOL. Good luck with your interviews! If you are looking in NJ let me know there are many positions available within my hospital and their network! Also, if you need any help or advice just message me!

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@TheStudent123 I tried to message you, but I'm not sure how to send it.

I appreciate your help! I'm based in NY so that is where I'm looking. I have an interview with my top choice hospital & fellowship this Thursday and I really really want to make a great impression.

Any tips for making myself stand out during the interview?

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@TheStudent123 For some reason I can't reply to you, maybe I don't have access to that yet. Thank you for the input! Unfortunately because of COVID there wasn't enough ICU preceptors at the hospital I was placed in so last minute I was switched to ED. I really hope that doesn't make me less of a candidate because my school couldn't get it together for our capstones LOL

Did they ask clinical questions?

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Haha all good! I was asked about clinical and if I had any problems or situations I could have handled differently. It's good to trust think about clinical and if you ever had a tough patient and how you handled it and how you could change it in the future. Really talk about learning and continuing on to better yourself so you can improve your patient care. You got this! (If you ever wanna come to NJ and work in the ICU lmk I'm sure we will have openings)

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Specializes in ER NURSE.

I am in NY the Hudson Valley area and there are many hospitals which offer ICU and ED residency programs to new grads.

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@TheStudent123 @Ariemay82 Thank you both for the support and information! I'm excited to say that I got a job at my dream hospital in ICU! I'm both terrified and excited at the same time!

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