Junior II Student, advice to get into ICU?

[bsngirl2015]

Hello, I'm currently a Junior II in my nursing program and will be graduating May 2015. I currently do not work at a hospital, I work a manager position in the food industry. I keep trying to get my foot in the door but it seems to be difficult right now. My dream is to work in ICU and I was wondering if anyone had any advice for a soon to be new grad. I know they say to start on a step down unit before going into ICU but I absolutely love ICU and I've done several off units in ICU and my preceptorship in the winter will be in ICU at the hospital I would love to work at. I'm also in the top 15% of my class, I have the highest grades and multiple recommendations from my clinical directors, so I was just wondering if anyone has any advice. Also has anyone done a preceptorship in the area of their interest and it lead to a job offer? Thanks for any response!!

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

Do lots of networking during your preceptorship. Actively seek out learning opportunities. Get all the recommendations you can. Whether it's ideal for a new grad to start in ICU or floor or stepdown will continue to be debated... but depending on where you are and how the nursing supply is, be aware that the market might decide for you. A lot of areas have a big imbalance between applicants and positions; some nurse-managers are more willing to work w/ new grads than others.

Congrats on the preceptorship though! That's a huge opportunity!

[ChipNurse]

The fact that you are doing a preceptorship in the ICU at the hospital that you want to work at is huge. We hire a few of the people who precepted in our unit if they really stand out. Just make sure that you are timely, eager to learn, safe in your practice, asking questions but also doing your own research about patients when you are in your preceptorship. I also highly recommend getting your foot in the door at the hospital you want to work at, any floor. I will say we hire 95% of our techs that become nurses (as long as they were good workers). I didn't work in an ICU as a tech before I graduated, but I did work within the hospital system as a tech at a different hospital on an ortho floor, and I was able to get a great recommendation from my manager. I also did a preceptorship at the hospital I wanted to work at in the ICU, and I ended up with 2 offers. Make sure that your preceptor KNOWS that you are very interested in working in the unit after graduation :) Good luck!

[iceyv3]

Congrats on getting the preceptorship! That is one step in the right direction. Having good grades also factor to some managers, so that is a plus as well.

I was hired into ICU without any medical experience, although I had been a psych nurse for a couple of years.

You just have to be persistent in applying to those ICU jobs. Many places want people with some experience on the floor but if you keep your grades, stand out during preceptorship and get those recommendations.

Good luck

[shootfromthehip, BSN, RN]

Started in the MICU right out of school that I precepted in. I had a few things working in my favor, namely that this unit is chronically short staffed and my preceptor loved me. Best thing you can do is rock out and let them know you want to work there. I was a chef for nearly ten years before I became a nurse and I think the multi-tasking/ customer service aspects translate very well to nursing. Also think you'd get props for keeping your grades up while working, would at least show that you're dedicated.

As far as starting on a step down unit or on the floor, I obviously didn't nor would I have had any interest in doing so. That being said, it was rough and I couldn't honestly recommend that course to anyone who isn't certain of what they want. If you go through your preceptorship and still love it, then go for it - you WILL be fine if you work hard and have some good people on your unit.

Good luck