Is it really difficult to get a job in an ICU?

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Jul 7, 2009

We are looking for nursing experience. You may find some rare hospitals that are still hiring new grads in their ICU, but they are few and far between.

AndiePi · Jul 7, 2009

Thanks for replying....about how many years experience are hospitals looking for? Would they prefer a background in any specific unit?

Reno1978, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2009

The hospital I used to work out still hires new grads in the ICU. Where I work now, we mostly hire RNs who have at least a year of experience in nursing - the sicker the patients the better.

We do accept new grads, but they've usually been tech's in the ICU prior to going to nursing school.

Beyond experience, you should be able to think critically, demonstrate attention to detail, collaboration with all coworkers (MD, PT, Pharmacy, Nutrition, etc.), ability to work under stress with little supervision, anticipating needs of the patient as their clinical presentation changes, and the intention of learning and retaining lots of information that frequently changes.

CABG patch kid, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2009

Speaking from personal experience, telemetry is a good place to start before transitioning into critical care because you will see a lot of the same patients; in other words, your tele pt may have been a unit transfer. You will see a lot of the same disease processes and medications, maybe even work with a lot of the same doctors. The same may be said for the med/surg floor, depending on your hospital. I don't think we've ever transferred a patient straight from the unit up to med/surg, maybe some places do. Also, the experience you get interpreting rhythm strips will be invaluable in the ICU. Another good place to get experience would be a step-down or intermediate care unit. I transferred to a critical care unit after one year of telemetry; I was a new grad when I started in telemetry.

Good luck!

NurseKitten, MSN, RN · Jul 7, 2009

Dialysis is a good place to get experience, too...sick sick sick patients, with multiple, complex disease processes. After having been in charge of a clinic with 20 hemodynamically unstable patients at a time and no other RN present, having 2 with an all-RN staff was a walk in the park.

gracedRN, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2009

The ICU in which I work hires new graduates.

It's challenging, but most do very well!! :clphnds:

One needs to be willing to learn; a position for a new grad. means lots of class time as well as time on the unit with a preceptor.

You can do it if you're willing!!

AndiePi · Jul 7, 2009

Thanks for all the feedback guys! I think the ICU is where I want to eventually end up, so all the info u gave me is very helpful. I still have a ways to go, but having a goal will help focus me.

shoegalRN, RN · Jul 7, 2009

I have an interview on Thursday for an ICU in a Level I trauma center and I'm a new grad.

These are some of the things I told the nurse recruiter:

For one, I have a COMPASSION for critical care

I am very TEACHABLE and I have a deep DESIRE to learn

I am a structured person and pay attention to detail

I work well under pressure

I ask alot of questions and use resources available to me

I love to be challenged

I am calm in choatic situations, i.e. patient crashing, code

I was set up for an interview with the ICU director and manager after that call and the nurse recruiter told me she was very impressed with me.

Hopefully, I'll land this job on Thursday! I believe what's for me is for me and God will open that door for me!

AndiePi · Jul 7, 2009

That's great advice! thanks! Nurse2b09 looks like u had some experience as an intern in telemetry? I'm thinking I should do something like that to up my chances of getting hired at an ICU after I graduate.

PMFB-RN, RN · Jul 7, 2009

What kind of qualities do employers look for when hiring for an ICU? Do they look for experience, or for how well you did in nursing school? I'm just curious the sort of qualifications an ideal candidate for the ICU may have...

Where I work we have a 7 month nurse residency program for new grads who want to work in critical care. It must be hard to get in. WHen I went therough the program they where hiring 6-9 people per class (two casses / year), then it went to 4-5 and now it is 2 per class.

By far the most important thing we are looking for is a commitment to the local community. A grad who has family in the area would have a better chance than one who is relocating to take the job regardless of experience. The other big thing they look for is a complete lack of interest in CRNA school. My class of 9 graduated 3 years ago and 6 of them are either currently in CRNA school or have been accepted and will go soon.

MedSurgeMess · Jul 7, 2009

At my facility, no new grads, must have 2 yrs critical care exp, or 3 yrs med surg. And no interest in CRNA as above poster said....