ICU position after BSN graduation

Published

I'm a nursing student in the los angeles area and I have two more years before graduating with my BSN. I want to eventually get into nurse anesthesia, and I know that in order to apply to nurse anesthesia school, I need at least one year experience in the ICU. I'd prefer to get hired for an ICU position as soon as I graduate with my BSN (as opposed to wasting a year working on the floor before getting into the ICU). I have my EMT license as well, and I would like to know if working a few years as an EMT while in school will help me at all with getting hired into an ICU critical care position straight after graduation? Are there any other things I can do to help my chances ( such as working a CNA position)? PLEASE, any advice would help. I would really appreciate it!

... I want to eventually get into nurse anesthesia, and I know that in order to apply to nurse anesthesia school, I need at least one year experience in the ICU. I'd prefer to get hired for an ICU position as soon as I graduate with my BSN (as opposed to wasting a year working on the floor before getting into the ICU).

... I have no plans to become a CNA or CRNA after graduation

Okay, now I'm confused ... :confused:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Gotta start somewhere. You know that there are so many graduates out there, so competitive.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.

Don't tell them that you plan to go to anesthesia school because you are pretty much giving them an expiration date on your employment. They will probably be more likely to hire and invest their resources in someone they think will stick around for more than a year or two.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Don't tell them that you plan to go to anesthesia school because you are pretty much giving them an expiration date on your employment. They will probably be more likely to hire and invest their resources in someone they think will stick around for more than a year or two.

True, during DD1s interview, she was asked about her goals and honestly said that she eventually would like to be a CRNA, week after interview she got an offer on their RN Residency New Grad Program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am enrolling in an accelerated BS program at NYU this fall, and am also interested in becoming a CRNA (and therefore want to get an ICU position when I graduate). Can someone explain what exactly a PCA and CNA are? Can I get those positions before I complete my BS Nursing degree? (Right now all I have is a BS in Communications and CPR certification).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am enrolling in an accelerated BS program at NYU this fall, and am also interested in becoming a CRNA (and therefore want to get an ICU position when I graduate). Can someone explain what exactly a PCA and CNA are? Can I get those positions before I complete my BS Nursing degree? (Right now all I have is a BS in Communications and CPR certification).

PCA is Patient Care Assistant while CNA is a Certified Nurse Assistant, both technically have the same function, hospitals use different job titles but doing the same job functions mainly taking stats, change linens, give the patient a bath. You can get your CNA certification after a year of nursing school when you are done taking the assessment class, I think.

It is hard to find a ICU job right after you graduate unless you precept at ICU or you are given a chance to get to the RN Residency Program where right now is too competitive. I suggest you volunteer and take a CNA job your senior year. You can work one day a week depending what your schedule is with school. Getting your foot at the door is when you are able to network. Maybe request to do your capstone or precept at the same hospital.

Congrats in getting into NYU :yeah:, it's a good school. My 2nd daughter will go to NY for a Nurse Student Internship Program this summer. She is a Junior right now. If you will be on Accelerated BSN program, you are in school year-round, am I right? That would be tough to go to work, just my opinion. Good luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
PCA is Patient Care Assistant while CNA is a Certified Nurse Assistant, both technically have the same function, hospitals use different job titles but doing the same job functions mainly taking stats, change linens, give the patient a bath. You can get your CNA certification after a year of nursing school when you are done taking the assessment class, I think.

It is hard to find a ICU job right after you graduate unless you precept at ICU or you are given a chance to get to the RN Residency Program where right now is too competitive. I suggest you volunteer and take a CNA job your senior year. You can work one day a week depending what your schedule is with school. Getting your foot at the door is when you are able to network. Maybe request to do your capstone or precept at the same hospital.

Congrats in getting into NYU :yeah:, it's a good school. My 2nd daughter will go to NY for a Nurse Student Internship Program this summer. She is a Junior right now. If you will be on accelerated BSN program, you are in school year-round, am I right? That would be tough to go to work, just my opinion. Good luck to you.

What exactly is a RN Residency program? And what do you mean by "precept"?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
What exactly is a RN Residency program? And what do you mean by "precept"?

RN Residency Program - try this link http://www.versant.org/

A lot of hospitals invest in their new grad nurses by making them take this program for training new grads. Not all hospitals adopt such training as it is very costly. They "precept" work one on one with a preceptor (seasoned nurse in this case) in training in a particular unit.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

this website is great! thank you so much!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Mixed ICU, OHU.

I graduated with a BSN and passed my boards just under 1 year ago and I just now am starting to see hope for ICU. Keep trying!! You'll get there!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU, CCU, SICU, MICU.

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.

This is my plan... should I not include on my applications that my long-term (10 year or longer) goal is to be a CRNA? I thought that advancing the nursing profession, wanting to be an advanced practice nurse, etc. would look good on an application. Plus it's true =) Do you think that mentioning that on an application could harm my chances at a job?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU, CCU, SICU, MICU.
True, during DD1s interview, she was asked about her goals and honestly said that she eventually would like to be a CRNA, week after interview she got an offer on their RN Residency New Grad Program.

Well that's nice to hear. I understand the thought that hospitals would invest their time and money into a more long-term staffer, but I'm not planning on CRNA school for at least 5 years. There's so much to learn in ICU, and I'd like to be as proficient in critical care skills and have as many certifications as possible.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion