New Grad to ICU / Multiple Job offers

[AC777]

With me being in my final weeks of nursing school, I definitely needed to start looking into and applying to new graduate programs. I started applying last month, and applied to five facilities with new graduate programs. I've interviewed with three so far, and have been offered two positions.

Interview 1: Department of Public Health – Interviewed with a three panel and was offered the job a week after. I declined the position because I didn't think it would be the best thing to start my nursing career here.

Interview 2: Teaching and Trauma Hospital – Interviewed with a seven panel for ICU, ED, and Tele, and a week later was offered a spot in their ICU New Grad Residency to start in June.

Interview 3: Dignity Health Affiliated Hospital – Interviewed two days ago with a six panel for ICU, ED, and Tele. No job offer yet, but I'm feeling pretty good about how the interview went.

I would really like to get into the Dignity Health Affiliated hospital because they have their Versant Residency, which would be 22 weeks of training for ICU. I honestly think that would be really beneficial for me, but then again I'm happy that I got offered an ICU New Grad position already. The one I was offered includes a three-month training process.

I have two more interviews set up for the first week of April for critical care units as well, but I'm still debating if I should just cancel considering what I have already. Not sure yet. I honestly cannot express how blessed I feel to be in this position. A lot of hard work and determination was definitely involved in these processes.

My advice to anyone in nursing school or pre nursing is it's never too early to start making yourself marketable aka working on your resume. I feel like my experiences and certifications helped a lot.

A little summary – Took a CNA elective class in high school. Got my certification and started working while doing my pre reqs. Before my Advanced Medical Surgical rotation I got a bunch of certs (ACLS, NIHSS Stroke, ECG/Pharm, IV Therapy and Blood Withdrawal, etc.) because I thought it would be beneficial for that rotation, and it definitely was! I knew I wanted to go into critical care, so I also got an emergency department internship get experience and fluff up my resume. Also I chose to do my Preceptorship in ICU/SICU/CICU. If you know what specialty you want in the future, you should start making your resume look like it in a way.

Another big thing for New Graduate positions is to practice for your interviews! I honestly looked up a lot of questions, and was pretty much talking to myself for hours preparing lol

[RBlis]

I really don't have any advice for you but this is great. Lol believe it or not I want to be like you when I'm done with school. I have a year and half left of Nursing School and am currently a CNA. Definitely plan on getting some certs between that time. Thank You for sharing your knowledge.

[meluvsquki]

Good job!

Yeah the 22 week position definitely sounds better. 3 months on orientation in the ICU as a new grad sounds scary.

[INN_777, BSN, RN]

Very impressive! Congrats! My only advice is not to cancel other interviews until you have accepted an offer. Life is funny that way. Infrequently, but things do fall through. Or you might go to another interview and find something you like even more.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

That's how you get it done. Congrats and good luck. I'd also go for the long program.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

Trauma ICU teaching hospital....take it.

dignity health might have a long orientation, but they are a extremely cheap organization to work for. It was the first company I worked for as a new grad and after a year and a half I couldn't wait to get out. The big teaching hospitals are brutal as well. You will walk out of there with enough knowledge to tackle any job with confidence as well as be extremely marketable.

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

3 months on orientation in the ICU as a new grad sounds scary.

I had been a MedSurg RN for seven years and then received 12 weeks myself in the MICU.

In my next of the woods, new grads get at the very least six months in critical care.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Congratulations! Your results in your local job market are impressive.

[AC777]

RBlis, Thank you. That's awesome that my story was able to impact you in a positive way. Best of luck in nursing school

[AC777]

Meluvsquki and DeLanaHarvickWannabe, BSN, RN, thanks so much. Three months does sound a bit intimidating to be trained in ICU as a new grad, but I definitely am up for it. As of right now, I feel comfortable with being in ICU. During my Advanced Rotation and Preceptorship, I was able to gain almost 200 hours of ICU experience. The nurses I was with were really a great help. They taught me a lot, and were willing to take me under their wing to help mend me into the critical care nurse I strive to be.

Either the three-month or the 22-week training, I'll make the best of any opportunity.

[AC777]

INN_777, BSN, RN, you make a really good point. Thank you, I really appreciate it

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

As of right now, I feel comfortable with being in ICU. During my Advanced Rotation and Preceptorship, I was able to gain almost 200 hours of ICU experience. The nurses I was with were really a great help. They taught me a lot, and were willing to take me under their wing to help mend me into the critical care nurse I strive to be.

Wow, that's pretty awesome to get that many hours in ICU while in school.