ICU Straight outta school?

[WalterWho]

Hello Everyone,

I'm coming into my last year of BSN school and I've decided to go on to grad school as soon as possible after I graduate. The programs I'm looking require at least one year of experience within an ICU. I figure it might be difficult to be hired on right away on an intensive care unit, seeing as how I'll be a fresh grad and all, what do ya'll think? I have no experience in the hospital, but I do have pre-hospital emergency medical experience (EMT). Do you think this might be enough to get me hired on at a community level hospital?

Thanks Guys!

[MrsICURN14]

At my hospital, without prior nursing experience, we had to get hired on through the residency program. In my program, one girl was hired direct to the ICU (she too had EMT experience). I won't say whether this was a good idea or bad idea, but I will say that she was floated to my floor the other night, she could not handle 6 patients on a med surg floor. Four of us ended up taking a 7th patient because she could not handle more than her usual two.

Now, not saying that you would do the same thing, but here is my my thought. Working non-ICU unit would give you a great foundation to transition to ICU. My life long dream is not to work on the Med-Surg/Oncology Floor that I am working on now, but I am getting invaluable experience that I believe will help me in my future goals. Not saying that you can't get this experience on the ICU; however, the more narrow your [early] experiences are, the less exposed you are to what else is out there. You think it is easier to start with 6 patients and then move to do 2 patients in the ICU or the other way around?

That being said, you have to follow your dreams. No one can decide your path. Take the advice that people are giving you and only you can chart your course; but, one of the best parts of nursing is that if you don't like something you can always move on to another experience.

Good luck to you!

I completely disagree. I'm struggling more as a new grad in an ICU versus all my friends on med surg or tele that aren't going home crying every shift like me and my friends in the ICU. No we don't have 5-6 patients, but we have sicker patients and sometimes our two are more work than 6 on the floor.

[THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN]

I completely disagree. I'm struggling more as a new grad in an ICU versus all my friends on med surg or tele that aren't going home crying every shift like me and my friends in the ICU. No we don't have 5-6 patients, but we have sicker patients and sometimes our two are more work than 6 on the floor.

That does not make your job any harder nor the MS nurses job easier. It is what it is. You have no way of comparing what it's like to start out in MS with 6 pts just like they have no clue what it's like starting in ICU as a new grad. Apples and oranges.

[MrsICURN14]

That does not make your job any harder nor the MS nurses job easier. It is what it is. You have no way of comparing what it's like to start out in MS with 6 pts just like they have no clue what it's like starting in ICU as a new grad. Apples and oranges.

You're right, I don't. But you made the point it would be harder for an ICU nurse to float or move to the floor than the other way around or something along those lines, and that's not true

[ICUKeesh]

Hello! I would just like to say it's very possible! Make connections and be very active with job searching and also stay on top of openings for residencies. I am also a new grad as of June and I was hired into ICU. I will receive 7-8 weeks of classroom /simulation lab training and the 7-8 weeks of floor training with a preceptor! If this is your goal, go for it because it's very possible! Also, I DID mention the fact that I wanted to continue my education for CRNA during my interview and it was not a factor for me, but I do agree that some facilities simply don't like to hear that! Good luck with everything

[jordiRN]

I just graduated with my BSN in May, and got hired on at my first choice hospital in their step down unit with a 2:1 ratio. I had a contact higher up in the hospital food chain that recommended me for my current job, so I made the most of it and took it! Connections, relationships, and reputation can make or break you!!

I am planning on going to CRNA school too and would like to do so as quickly as possible, but I also want to be prepared for it! I think the step down will be a good starting point for transferring to the ICU in a year or so; then I can get my experience and continue on to school.

So I am here to tell you that YES you can get an ICU job right out of school. It is possible, and that was my original plan. However, be ready to adapt and make the most of what you are given - be it step down, medsurg, tele, whatever. Learn as much as you can wherever you are, and try to move toward your ideal position as you go along.

Another tip: getting straight into an ICU after gradation might be easiest with a nurse residency or internship program. Many hospitals across the country offer them. Do some research, figure out which ones have critical care tracks, pick your favorites, and apply apply apply!