Interview: I applied for ICU but the recruiter wants me to work in med surg?

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 25, 2015

Unfortunately for many job seekers, it's an employers' market in a lot of areas right now. It could be that you weren't selected for the ICU position based on your resume/shorter work experience/any number of things or there really might not be any open positions. Many nurses are having to choose between taking a job that isn't in their choice specialty or not working as they wait for an offer for their choice specialty- and some are waiting for quite some time. Could you email the recruiter and ask about openings? Sure, but that doesn't mean you'll be offered one of them. You'll have to decide whether you want to work in the organization with the hope of transferring into the ICU/ER when something opens up or wait for a job opening somewhere in your choice of specialty.

flipnbrenda · Jan 25, 2015

Thank you!! I also got a position that is in IMCU, which would put me closer with ICU, So I probably would rather that job. I don't want to take a step back since I already worked in a med surg floor. I just don't know how to ask the recruiter if she can consider me for an ICU position, or if I should stay quiet and just walk away?

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 25, 2015

If you have a position in IMCU, then the best you can do is focus on that position, since you have no interest in Med-Surg. :yes:

flipnbrenda · Jan 25, 2015

If you have a position in IMCU, then the best you can do is focus on that position, since you have no interest in Med-Surg.

Thank you, Yeah I think I might just do that. I just wanted to continue to search for an ICU position, but I might just have to accept IMCU, work hard and hopefully one day get transferred to ICU. I Guess I was just going to give it a shot and see if the recruiter would be willing to change her mind. :yes:

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2015

Thank you, Yeah I think I might just do that. I just wanted to continue to search for an ICU position, but I might just have to accept IMCU, work hard and hopefully one day get transferred to ICU. I Guess I was just going to give it a shot and see if the recruiter would be willing to change her mind.

Going for an interview never hurts. But I would look at the IMCU position as your next step to ICU.

Jules A, MSN · Jan 26, 2015

If you applied for an ICU position and they didn't address that I would bring it up before it goes any further. I'd be gracious but make it clear that you are only interested in ICU or possibly IMCU that way it isn't wasting anyone's time.

anon456, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2015

IMICU is a great place to start. If you prove yourself there, then ask to be cross-trained to ICU.

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Jan 26, 2015

A few questions:

How is the job market where you are? Is there a realistic chance that the ICU position you really want will open soon?

Are you currently working? If not, can you afford to be super choosy and wait until the position you want is available?

flipnbrenda · Jan 28, 2015

yeah you are right. Thank you for the advice! :cat:

flipnbrenda · Jan 28, 2015

If you applied for an ICU position and they didn't address that I would bring it up before it goes any further. I'd be gracious but make it clear that you are only interested in ICU or possibly IMCU that way it isn't wasting anyone's time.

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That is very true thank you for your advice:)

flipnbrenda · Jan 28, 2015

I am not sure about the job market, I do know there are many hospitals here I live in D.C., and I could wait and hope that I get an ICU job but I would not want to be without a job for more than six months. I am not working at the moment.