Is Duke a good place to get ICU exp?

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Hello everyone,

In the past few years I have come to this forum for advice and knowledge. Now having graduated from an ADN program, I cannot get a job where I live - thus we are forced to move. I have recently begun to work with several recruiters. One wants me to interview at Duke Univ Med Ctr. I understand that just about any ICU experience would be good experience but does anyone have any experience working here? Since I've heard this is a wonderful teaching facility would it benefit me to take this positon? My "demands" for employment included 100% tuition reimbursement for my BSN. The recruiter came back and told me yes, they do that and will pay for your MSN as well. I know from past experiences, some things sound too good to be true. This recruiter also said they are looking for people with high GPA's and those who want to advance their career. Does this statement have any merritt? I guess I need some advice from those who've "been there - done that." What does everyone think?

My goal is to become a CRNA - it's the reason I went into nursing and I'm excited to get into an ICU environment. Any advice about this issue would be greatly appreciated. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Theresa

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Any ICU at a university hospital is good experience. Keep in mind you'll have to do your part and learn as much as possible.

As far as the other information, I have no clue what the job market is like in the Duke U. area. If you're not sure of the accuracy of the information your recruiter is giving you, contact Duke's HR on your own and inquire about it. Given the nationwide nursing shortage I'm sure they'll give you as much time as they need.

D.C.

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Now having graduated from an ADN program, I cannot get a job where I live - thus we are forced to move. I have recently begun to work with several recruiters. One wants me to interview at Duke Univ Med Ctr.

Theresa

Duke would be a great place to work and they have an anesthesia program to boot. I worked with their recruiters, last year, and they were very negative. They insisted that new grads couldn't do ICU because they're not ready for the challenge. I insisted that I was up to the challenge b/c this was my goal and that they could speak with any of my faculty persons. They declined. This was only a year ago, but maybe things have changed ... Good Luck!

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I think I am fairly qualified to give you some advice on this. I currently work in one of Duke's ICU's and I have worked in two of them total. I am also starting their Nurse Anesthesia program in January. First of all, you said you have an ADN. Duke does not have a ADN to BSN program that I am aware of. Their BSN program is an "Accelerated BSN" program. In other words, you need to have a "Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university" as their website states. Check it out here: http://www.nursing.duke.edu/academics/bsn/about.html

Duke has some great ICU's. I can honestly say, as far as patient care, the unit I work in now is one of the best I've ever worked in. That is saying a lot considering I've been a travel nurse for the past 4 years and have worked in many ICU's across the country. Yes, there are politics to deal with, but every unit and every hospital has their share of that. I think that many people (to the dismay of their nurse recruiters!) use the Duke ICU's as a springboard for bigger things like grad school and such. From my experience, it has been a supportive learning environment for nursing staff. My personal advice is to start on a floor or stepdown unit for a year. Yes, people do start in the the ICU's as a new grad but I've seen many struggle and some end up dropping out of ICU. My advice is to increase the likelyhood of setting yourself up for success, not failure. A year of floor or stepdown will do wonders for your organizational skills. Morever, when you do get to ICU, you will appreciate those hard working floor nurses much more!

Duke does have an outstanding Nurse Anesthesia program. I've talked to several of their students who have completes the program and some who are currently in it. They all say the same thing: the faculty really support their students and want them to succeed. They really listen to the students. I don't mean to sound like an advertisement for Duke but it has been good to me. My only advice about the ICU's: Their CTICU is the most challenging unit I've ever worked. A person learns a lot but also works hard. Hope all this this helps.

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Thank you for the advice. I did check the website and I see that Duke indeed does not have an ADN to BSN program. So I would have to look elsewhere to get my BSN. I am still contemplating the decision to interview there. From what I understand starting pay for new grads is low but the support received from faculty/staff is high. I would soley support my family (hubby/toddler) for a short time so the pay factor scares me. Maybe I will indeed interview there and see what my "gut tells me." Thanks again

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Chapel Hill has a BSN program...very close to Duke.

http://nursing.unc.edu/degree/bs.html

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That's very reassuring. I'd like to apply by July deadline.

At least the faculty is very supportive and I hope it's not run like a

bootcamp, like most stories I've heard from other schools.

You carry the name, but you have to pay their steep tuition, huh?

In the meantime, I can work in their ICU and check out the place...

Thx

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