New Grad Critical Care Internships

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello all, I am a senior nursing student graduating with a BSN in May and really want a critical care internship. Anyone know of any good programs? Not just ones that have preceptorships for 5 weeks and then send you out to the dogs...lol. I am looking in the New Endland area (MA, VT, RI, CT, NH, etc.) but am willing to go south or west for a good program. Most of the websites say they have programs but don't list how to apply...HELP? Any advice from people in critical care programs or seasoned nurses is greatly appreciated!!! :confused:

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Hospitals usually post specific job listing for new grad critical care programs that you would apply to online. They may not have posted them yet but the programs I know of usually get posted around this time of year. That said, many hospitals have put their new grad programs on hold which may be why you aren't seeing the postings.

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Thanks for the advice April. What programs do you know of? You may know ones I haven't found yet...Also, is it a good idea to call the floor directly or do you think that will just make people angry. Nurse recruiters aren't calling me back or answering my emails...

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I don't know much about these programs but I know the big teaching hospitals in MA have them. The Boston area hospitals had hiring freezes not too long ago and had their new grad programs put on hold. In fact, they are still supposedly on hold but I've heard of some new grads getting in on various units. Don't call the floors. Nurse managers are very busy and you'll more than likely get transfered to a voice mail anyway. If you want to try contacting managers, you could try getting names of nurse managers and emailing them with your resume attached. I've gotten jobs that way.

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If the websites list an internship but no other details, contact HR and ask how to apply. There might be postings that go up periodically for a short window that you need to apply for during a matter of a week or so, or there could be a longer application period, OR new grads going in to that department are automatically enrolled in the internship and you just need to wait for an opening in that department to show up on their website.

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I'm in MA, and at my school (graduated In May) only people that worked as an aid or precepted in critical care got jobs there. It's tough getting any job around here, I only got mine because I precepted on my unit. My advice is to network as much as possible. Good luck!

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Specializes in Telemetry.

What kind of options are available in the Critical Care arena for experienced nurses? For example, once I am done with the Army I will have 3 years of Telemetry and General Med/Surg experience. Most positions I have found for Critical Care RN's are looking for generally 1 year of ICU/CCU experience. Are there internships available for experienced nurses? How does one get into Critical Care without any prior experience?

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Kevin, in my research for new grad critical care jobs I have found a number of experienced RN ICU transition programs. In fact, a lot of ICU positions I've seen will accept applications from RN's with any type of acute care experience. A lot of positions require telemetry experience so I think you should be able to find something relatively quickly. Goodluck!

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OP, I think I may have misunderstood your post. Are you asking how to apply for a job or are you asking how to apply for your last semester senior preceptorship? I thought you were asking about a job when I first posted.

Kevin, you don't need ICU experience to get a job in the ICU. Everyone has to start somewhere. Many facilities don't want to spend the time and money on extended training right now due to the economy so they only want to hire nurses with ICU experience so they can hit the ground running. Three years of tele/med/surg will be a good foundation for ICU nursing. Even if the job postings say experience required, they might be willing to train the right person. I don't know of any internships for experienced nurses, but there are hospitals who give 3 months of orientation to experienced nurses and 6 months to new grads.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

Ah well thank you so much for the information. I am still hoping to get accepted into the Critical Care course through the Army but that doesn't seem to be set in stone at the moment. I guess if I don't get accepted, then I can always try and apply for positions on the civilian side. Never hurts to apply! Maybe the Army/Telemetry experience will boost my resume for an ICU position.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.
ah well thank you so much for the information. i am still hoping to get accepted into the critical care course through the army but that doesn't seem to be set in stone at the moment. i guess if i don't get accepted, then i can always try and apply for positions on the civilian side. never hurts to apply! maybe the army/telemetry experience will boost my resume for an icu position.

also, you can take a critical care course on your own on the civilian side. you will have to pay out-of-pocket if you do not find an employer willing to pay, but it is not a problem. critical care courses are offered all over the country by multiple companies/facilities and are not expensive. fyi, if you do not land a critical care position as a civilian right away, do not be discouraged. most hospitals will be thrilled to hire you into med surg/tele then allow you to transfer/train in icu after a set period (six months or a year). in fact, most hospitals these days like to promote and transfer internal candidates over external candidates. gl!

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Specializes in Telemetry.
also, you can take a critical care course on your own on the civilian side. you will have to pay out-of-pocket if you do not find an employer willing to pay, but it is not a problem. critical care courses are offered all over the country by multiple companies/facilities and are not expensive. fyi, if you do not land a critical care position as a civilian right away, do not be discouraged. most hospitals will be thrilled to hire you into med surg/tele then allow you to transfer/train in icu after a set period (six months or a year). in fact, most hospitals these days like to promote and transfer internal candidates over external candidates. gl!

thank you. got your message about the army. as i am a new member, apparently i am unable to send messages until i hit 15 posts. so as soon as i get that "privelage" i will respond.

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