ICU position after BSN graduation

shoegalRN, RN · Apr 25, 2011

I don't know how the employment outlook will be in two years when you graduate, but new grads are having a really hard time landing jobs in a hospital PERIOD, let alone ICU.

If you are lucky enough to get a job right out of nursing school in the ICU, I hope you do not mention you have plans to get your CRNA. Personally, I don't think having one year of ICU experience is enough time to get you prepared for a CRNA program. The CRNA's I know personally had at least 3-5 years of ICU experience before they went for their CRNA. And mainly the reason for that is because they didn't get into gas school on the FIRST try. They had to keep re-applying.

And I don't think you would be "wasting" time on the floor.

Good luck!

Kelly Fineman · Apr 26, 2011

I actually meant getting a job as a CNA (certified nursing assistant) in the ICU prior to graduating (while still in school getting my BSN) so that I could have a better chance at landing an ICU job once I graduate. I have no plans to become a CNA or CRNA after graduation

Rook · Apr 26, 2011

My hospital hires new grads in the ED, CICU and ICU or they did until the budgets cuts came. If you can't get ICU right away go to Intermediate care for a year. You'll need a few years to get into CRNA school anyway.

plowboy911 · Apr 26, 2011

Coming out of nursing school I did not believe this, but I think a year of med-surg / tele / step down is invaluable. You will gain confidence and have some credibility when both applying to and starting an ICU position. This isn't a hard and fast rule for every single person, but the majority would be well served by some time managing 4 or more pts a shift. Just my opinion of course.

shoegalRN, RN · Apr 26, 2011

I actually meant getting a job as a CNA (certified nursing assistant) in the ICU prior to graduating (while still in school getting my BSN) so that I could have a better chance at landing an ICU job once I graduate. I have no plans to become a CNA or CRNA after graduation

Didn't you say you wanted to land a job on an ICU unit after graduation so you can get your "nurse anesthesia"? This is what a CRNA is. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.

You can start off by applying for a CNA job while in nursing school. Hopefully, on a floor. Most ICU's that I know of don't even have CNA's unless it's to sit for a 1:1 or something and those CNA's come from the floor. It's mostly primary RN care.

You can attempt to get a RN job right into an ICU straight out of nursing school, but unless that unit has at least a 6 month orientation that includes class room time, I wouldnt go for it. And if your plans include going to anesthesia school in the future, you will need more than one year of ICU experience anyway.

Starting off on a Stepdown/Telementry unit is not a bad idea if you plan on going to ICU anyway.

SkiMama · Apr 26, 2011

I believe working as a CNA will help. For the grad residency program I am interested in - if you want to land a spot in critical care you must have had work experience as a CNA or nurse intern.

Lovelymo79 · Apr 27, 2011

I just got hired into a new grad ICU program and I will graduate in June. I'm moving thousands of miles away for the job but it's my dream job (ICU!) at my dream hospital (Level 1 trauma center with a 70-bed ICU!).

My tips:

Definitely get a job as a CNA while in nursing school. I worked as a CNA on a cardiac floor and ICU floor (my manager was also over the ICUs on the same floor) for a year and then transferred to the ER as a tech 7 months ago. There are CNAs in my present hospital and thank God, CNAs in the ICU at my future hospital as well). Not only will you gain valuable experience, you also will be able to network. It may not guarantee a job but you will definitely have a foot in the door and a chance to stand out among any other applicants.

You may have to move! Not sure how the economy will be by the time you graduate but if possible for you to do, consider moving.

While I'm going straight into the ICU, I also looked at jobs on the floor, particularly cardiac floors. I definitely don't think you would be "wasting" time while being on the floor. You will learn invaluable skills and it will be a great building block.

Good luck!

tucsonash · Apr 27, 2011

If they hire CNAs/PCTs, do it. That's how a good portion of graduates from my class got jobs after graduation (especially in this TERRIBLE job market). Some ICUs do use CNAs/PCTs, the ICU I did my clinicals at did, as did the hospital I was a tech at.

I'm working as a new grad on a ICU and I worked as a PCT for four years while I was going to nursing school. What I've learned is this: people will tell you that their experience is the best/most valuable experience. People who did the "required" year or two on med-surg/tele before moving to ICU will tell you that it is the best way and that new grads shouldn't work ICU. THen you'll find people who came straight to ICU after school and do wonderfully and they'll tell you that if you know where you want to be, there should be nothing stopping you from going straight for it.

In MY opinion, if you're able to be considered for a new graduate ICU job, then go for it. Be prepared to study and make sure it's a program/unit that will support you as a new grad and not push you to take patients before you're ready. Again, the choice is really non-existent for most new grads right now, so hopefully by the time you've graduated, things will be different.

Good luck.

ShantheRN, BSN, RN · Apr 27, 2011

Two years is a long time. It certainly can't hurt to get a PCA position at a hospital in the meantime. Network as much as possible while in school. You might find after a certain clinical rotation that you fall in love with OB, or peds. Nothing wrong with being on med surg or anything else to get more experience.

Incidentally, I have an upcoming interview in SICU. I don't have my BSN and I'm a new grad. I currently work as a PCA in peds, but the position is at a different hospital. There's really no equation for success, other than persistence and patience. Good luck!

UCI&USFMom · Apr 28, 2011

My DD1 volunteered for 3 years at a underprivileged clinic, volunteered last summer and still ongoing at a hospital, working as a per diem cna since Oct 2010, graduating with a BSN In June. She landed on a RN Residency Program Cardiovascular ICU which will start in August.

As a CNA she started as a floater, ended up on med/surge per diem as a Senior Hosp Asst. (term used for CNA). She is BLS and ACLS certified. She wants to go for CRNA in a couple of years.

What is important is that you shine and make your resume strong. Network and always believe in yourself. You all can do it. Goodluck.

UCI&USFMom · Apr 28, 2011

DD2 is a junior BSN NS. Got her CNA license in January hoping to work as a CNA this summer. She currently work in the nursing lab at her school doing check offs. She applied to numerous internship/externship nursing programs for nursing students (google it). Ask for LORs (letters of recommendations) from your clinical professors , you would need about 3. DD1 got in at Mount Sinai program in NY , as a paid student nurse intern. There's plenty of opportunities as long as you keep applying, perseverance and patience is all you need. Keep a positive attitude.