I'm about to graduate from my BSN program, and my goal is to get my necessary ICU experience and then apply for a CRNA program as quickly as possible. Being a CRNA has been my goal since high school.
The problem I'm having is that it seems most ICU's don't want to hire new graduates directly. All I'm seeing are these nurse residency programs. So the question-- did and of you get hired directly into critical care, and if so where?
Did any of you do a nurse residency program? And if so, how long (seen some as long as a year) Finally did the residency count towards your required ICU experience?
So, I just got hired for the CT ICU at UCLA from the new grad fair too! I'm really excited about it, but I'm currently living in SD, so I'm pretty nervous about moving to LA. I haven't heard one negative about UCLA, anyone have any tips or suggestions, or anyone been through the new grad program or know anyone who's doing it? What do they say? I'm currently working as a Telemetry nurse, because I wanted to get my bearings down before I went to the ICU. I'll take any tips or suggestions anyone has. I'm going on a tour of the unit on thursday, as I've never been before, but I'm like 99.9% sure I'm going to love it. Oh, and where is a good place to live????
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Hey! Sorry I can't use PM for some reason to reply to you. If you want send me ur email address and I'll send you an email that way! Sorry!
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As part of our bb redesign effective July 5th, general members must have 15 public board posts prior to sending private messages and/or sending emails from the allnurses.com profiles.
Sigmachiguy, congratulations on your acceptance into the MICU. I just wanted to clarify something you said in your post. Its my understanding that CRNA schools prefer surgical ICU's over other ICU's. So you would be safe with CTICU or a SICU. The 8icu, which you referred to as a liver transplant ICU is actually called the surgical/transplant ICU. The name liver transplant stuck with that unit because it was founded by a great surgeon (won't mention his name, but he is world renowed), that is well known for liver transplants. Anyway, we do liver, pancreas, small bowel, and kidney transplants along with vascular surgeries(AAA and the like), head and neck, plastics, bariatrics and occasional trauma's. So, that unit would have actually given you more surgical experience. My post is not intended to change your mind, but to make sure readers have accurate information.
And actually,rumor has it that the CTICU and SICU at UCLA have highest number of nurses that leave to go to CRNA school each year.
Anyway, the MICU there is awesome, and I almost thought about that unit for a while. You will love the staff! Anyway, goodluck with your new journey UCLA is a great place to start!
Hello!
Thank you so much for the info! I recently got offered positions in CTICU and Liver/Surgical ICU and I appreciate all the information you shared! How do like working in Liver/Surgical ICU? Did you also enjoy the new grad orientation on that unit? Any additional information would be great!
hi,love-d-OR. I would like to ask for help. I was called by UCLA for interview in Liver tx/SICU on monday. I havent posted 15 messages in this forum,is there any way you could give me tips for interview? I know that name of the recruiter who would interview me but I believe I cant post her name...please PM ma? I would really appreciate if u will. =)
As for tips for your interview, I'm not sure what Liver/Tx asks but for my MICU interview they asked for normal/expected questions. Nothing crazy or grilling occurred. Just why I wanted to work at UCLA, what I'll bring to the unit, where I've worked before, where I went to school, etc. Very normal stuff so just be yourself, smile, and show that you're enthusiastic and happy to be there and you'll be fine! :)
why I wanted to work at UCLA, what I'll bring to the unit, where I've worked before, where I went to school, etc. Very normal stuff so just be yourself, smile, and show that you're enthusiastic and happy to be there and you'll be fine! :)
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
My hospital has a 9 month Critical Care Nurse Residency program for new grads going directly into ICUs. Many, many grads went on to CRNA school with one years of ICU, including the 9 month residency program. A two year contract is required to get into the residency program. So many were leaving for CRNA school before their contract was up, despite the contract pay off being raised from a pro-rated $6K to a non pro-rated $15K, that they no longer hire new grad BSNs into the residency program for the SICU. Now they only hire ADN grads, with some exception made for new BSNs who were long time employees of the unit (CNAs, HUCs) and who have very strong ties to the community.
It has been my experience that ICU nurse managers very much dislike spending a lot of time and money training a new grads for the ICU only to have them leave for CRNA school just as they are becoming useful to the unit (1-2 years). My advice is to never tell anyone you want to go to CRNA school.
hi,love-d-OR. I would like to ask for help. I was called by UCLA for interview in Liver tx/SICU on monday. I havent posted 15 messages in this forum,is there any way you could give me tips for interview? I know that name of the recruiter who would interview me but I believe I cant post her name...please PM ma? I would really appreciate if u will. =)
Hello! I have an interview for the liver transplant/sicu and was wondering if you could offer any advice? how long was you interview? What sorts of thins we're asked? Any help I would most appreciate! :redpinkhe
and I appreciate all the information you shared! How do like working in Liver/Surgical ICU? Did you also enjoy the new grad orientation on that unit? Any additional information would be great!
HeartRNHope
18 Posts
Hey!
So, I just got hired for the CT ICU at UCLA from the new grad fair too! I'm really excited about it, but I'm currently living in SD, so I'm pretty nervous about moving to LA. I haven't heard one negative about UCLA, anyone have any tips or suggestions, or anyone been through the new grad program or know anyone who's doing it? What do they say? I'm currently working as a Telemetry nurse, because I wanted to get my bearings down before I went to the ICU. I'll take any tips or suggestions anyone has. I'm going on a tour of the unit on thursday, as I've never been before, but I'm like 99.9% sure I'm going to love it. Oh, and where is a good place to live????
Thank you!!!