Med-Surg to ICU?

[dani9206, BSN, MSN, APN]

Hello everyone:

I graduated Nursing school three years ago. I have been a Nurse on the same Med-Surg floor since graduation.

I will be starting school in the fall to become an Adult Nurse Practitioner.

I have learned a lot on the Med-Surg floor but I have no ICU or critical care experience. It seems like a catch-22 situation.

To get the ICU and critical care jobs, you need experience!

Any suggestions on moving on from the Med-Surg floor and where to go that would be give me additional experience to add to what I have gained to date?

Thanks in advance!!

[Livinstrong85]

From what I've heard (I'm not a nurse yet, will be going to school soon), you only need a year of telemetry or med-surg before you can be considered for a specialty like ICU or ER, etc. Just show interest and ask if you can observe, etc.

[AnaCatRN]

Try networking with ICU nurses in your hospital. If they see you have an interest, they might be willing to put a good word in for you. Also talk to your NM. He or she might be able to help you, as well. Livingstrong85 has a good idea, too. Ask if you can shadow an ICU nurse at your hospital, or even another hospital near you. Initiative can never hurt you. Good luck!

[1smartrn]

I started in cardiac ICU straight out of nursing school as a new grad. Our unit hires new grads regularly. I think the previous posts give great advise. Talk to your nurse manager about shadowing and go from there. Does your hospital hire new grads into their ICU?