ICU as New Grad

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jan 2, 2018

It's anesthetist. Can't be one if you can't even spell it. Focus, and refer these questions to your academic advisor.

One step at a time. You should be able start out in ICU, not advisable though. Have you been accepted to nursing school?

Cokerbear7 · Jan 2, 2018

Yes I said in my post that I am a Nursing student. I'm a Junior.

emmjayy, BSN, RN · Jan 2, 2018

I'm interested to see the responses to this thread, particularly as to why it's not advisable for new grads to start in ICU, because that's what I'd like to do after I graduate this spring. I enjoy the highly detailed nature of the work, the prospect of dealing with very high patient acuity (and the associated treatments), the level of collaboration I've observed between everyone on the treatment team, the high intensity atmosphere, etc. I've been floated to the ICU as a tech several times and had clinical experience days there and have really liked it all. During my shifts as a tech I was asked to switch from the float pool and become just an ICU tech full time on the basis of my performance (unfortunately impossible d/t my school schedule), and the nurses I've worked with have told me they'd like to see me come and work there when I graduate in a few months. However, I know I haven't spent enough time up there to really wrap my head around what goes into it and I absolutely know that all the nurses I've worked with who seem to handle their assignments so smoothly and easily, are able to do that only because they are really, really good at their job - not because their job is easy.

All that said, I'm looking forward to reading through this thread!

oops I bradyed again · Jan 3, 2018

The schools' websites should list the minimum GPA requirements, as well as the average GPA of students who have been accepted in the past. If you can't find this information online talk to an advisor at the schools you're interested in. In my area the CRNA program is extremely competitive to get into, and although the minimum for ICU experience is 1 year, I've heard you need at least 3 years to be competitive. It is possible to get a job in the ICU as a new grad, but you must complete your integrative practicum (or capstone) in an ICU to be accepted into an internship program. If you do not complete your capstone in an ICU you will need to work med/surg for at least a couple years before applying to an ICU internship program.