ICU Internship

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2011

Its hard to crack into the ICU from M/S, at least I've found that. The cold hard truth is:

Cheaper for a hospital to leave you in M/S and train a new grad for ICU. Thats "one" person they have to train. If you go to ICU AND they hire a new grad to fill your M/S spot..........thats two people being trained. Twice the cost.

Unfortunately, you might have to play hard ball about it. Hard to do these days. Its easier to do if you are applying to a completely new hospital rather than transferring internally.

JoMark06 · Jan 17, 2011

I am going from med/surg to a stepdown unit. I have 2 1/2 yrs of nursing experience and was chosen (so I'm told) over several new grads. So it depends on the hiring manager. You bring a wealth of knowledge and experience with you and likely will not require the length of orientation a new grad will. I say apply whenever you see a position that interests you. All they can do is say no. Best of luck!

kcmylorn · Jan 18, 2011

I did a 3 month ICU internship after having 18 yrs of med/surg/oncology. I was sure that is what I wanted. I wanted ICU so bad when I graduated. I was never so unprepared for anything in my life as getting that first ICU assignment on my own. I lasted 2 days on my own. I hated every minute of it. I ran out of there as fast as I could. I came home and called the hospital and told them I quit. Maybe it was that vast span between med/sug and ICU - I don't know. I was used to feeling a certain level of confidence,. I felt I was starting all over again as a new grad.

I loved the critical care course but just hated the unit. And it wasn't any one person - it was just I did not like ICU,- vents, tubes, drips always being on high alert- YUK. Ive done tele for the past 7 yrs including the last 2 yrs cardiac stepdown- I grew to hate it, also. Nasty staff dynamics- it's just the personality of tele. If I had my choice in acute care, I would stick with the oncology.