ICU Interneship

Do you have to have a BSN to get into an ICU Internship? I've got a BA already and am going back to school to get a nursing degree but for various reasons, it makes more sense for me to get an ADN than a BSN. My plan is to then get a job that allows some tuition $$ benefit and get my BSN then. But I'd really like to do an internship or some sort of really good ICU orientation because I want to go into Critical Care and eventually pursue a Master's (either CRNA or ACNP).

Anyone know anything about this? Also, can anyone recommend any really good ICU programs?

Hello.

Good luck on your nursing career. Word of advice. Work on a med/surg floor for a year first, then consider ICU. You need to get your basic nursing skills, time management, assessment skills, and learn to critical think first.

This comes with experience. ICU is a whole new realm of nursing. A specialty.

I did an ICU internship. It was an 8 hour class a week of theory, and then 12 hours in an ICU with your same preceptor. It was a good program. Cost me about 600.00 back in 1997. I already had 12 years of experience.

My hospital right now has a special orientation for new grads. I work in upstate NY. If you are seriously still interested to dive into ICU without floor experience, or step down first, then PM me and I will give you specifics on it.

:)

I will be finishing my ADN program in May 2005. I have been working in the ICU as an Apprentice Nurse for over a year. My unit has just offered me a position in the ICU after graduation. They usually give new grads a 12 week orientation but since I've been in their Apprentice program for so long, I will receive one week of what they call ECCO training (it's computer module learning, I believe) and during that week, all the new grads meet as one unit to learn about the policies and protocols of the ICU. After that, I will do 3 12 hour nights for 3 weeks with my preceptor and then it's all me.

You do not have to have a BSN and I think the level of education is not as important as any previous experience you may have, your own comfort level, and how much learning you are willing to do after graduation that may make working in an environment such as the ICU possible or even enjoyable.

I have learned that the ICU environment is MUCH different than any other area of the hospital. Things just operate differently there than anywhere else. I feel "discombulated" in other parts of the hospital, especially during clinicals. It's also scarier.....I have a lot of fear about being responsible for patients in the ICU, but my preceptor says that's good. She says that it's the new grads who come marching in, thinking they know ALL about critical care, that scare HER. She's been a nurse for well over 20 years and did a lot of med-surg and ER nursing early in her career. She has been in the ICU for 15 years and is an excellent role model. I think a lot of how you turn out after orientation/internship has a LOT to do with who they pair you up with.

Melanie

I work as a tech at http://lvhhn.org and will be starting my ICU internship in January 2006 (I graduate in December 2005 from an ADN program). The hospital paid 100% +$500 per semester.

The ICU internship is 6 months long and starts in January and June.

I'm excited, nervous, and SCARED to have been accepted into the program.

what hospital was that that has this orientation, what part of pa?

I work as a tech at http://lvhhn.org and will be starting my ICU internship in January 2006 (I graduate in December 2005 from an ADN program). The hospital paid 100% +$500 per semester.

The ICU internship is 6 months long and starts in January and June.

I'm excited, nervous, and SCARED to have been accepted into the program.

what hospital was that that has this orientation, what part of pa?

Lehigh Valley, PA

what hospital was that that has this orientation, what part of pa?

Allentown Pennsylvania. Northeast portion, 20 minutes from the New Jersey border. If you're interested in the internship apply EARLY. If fills really fast. I've already been accepted and its a year out. I know people graduating in May that couldn't get into the June start in December (does that make sense). It was already filled up in December.

It's a great hospital. It's a level 1 trauma center. I currently work on the Transitional Trauma Unit and I LOVE it.

NAME OF HOSPITAL, COST OF LIVING IN THAT AREA? CONGRATS

UOTE=suemom2kay]Allentown Pennsylvania. Northeast portion, 20 minutes from the New Jersey border. If you're interested in the internship apply EARLY. If fills really fast. I've already been accepted and its a year out. I know people graduating in May that couldn't get into the June start in December (does that make sense). It was already filled up in December.

It's a great hospital. It's a level 1 trauma center. I currently work on the Transitional Trauma Unit and I LOVE it.

Lehigh Valley Hospital http://www.lvh.org/nurses/internships/home.shtml

Cost of Living (don't know a ratio or anything...) It is a little cheaper than NJ. I bought a 3BR cape cod for $126,000.

Starting Pay for GN: 20.50; 21.50 after pass boards.

I spoke with one of the nurses in the Burn Unit and raises are based on merit so you can make pretty good money if you turn out to be a good nurse.

Also, they have a bonus for doing eve/night shift in med/surg $4000 for 1 year or $12,000 for 2 years (payable at end of each year, $5000 year one and $7000 year 2).

I should get a commission for this. :chuckle

Good luck!

I'm a BSN at a Level I trauma in NJ, but most in our unit are ASNs. Should have no problem getting in.

-S