New grad ICU?

Specialties PICU

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HI, I was just wondering if it is hard to get hired in the ICU as a new grad? Has anyone started at the ICU as a new grad or know someone who has? I was just wondering b/cuz I want to do the Crna in the future and work in the icu while i get my bsn. Thanks

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New grad internships (typically offered at larger hospitals) can be a great way to land that first job in a critical care setting.

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Specializes in PICU.

I am going straight into a large PICU when I graduate in May 07. It is a 6 month orientation for new graduates. It wasn't extremely hard to get the job- I think if PICU is definately want you want and your heart is in the PICU you won't have trouble finding a job. I can't wait to start mine!! Good Luck- Let me know

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Specializes in PICU, surgical post-op.

Ooh, pick me! (or, if you prefer, PICU!)

I went straight into the PICU from school. I had a 6 month orientation; it included time on the other floors in the children's hospital to see what "regular" sick kids were like and learn me some good old-fashioned time-management skills. I also had a PICU class, 8 hours every Monday for 8 or 10 weeks, covering a lot of the typical disease processes, issues, and policies that I would be dealing with.

It's definitely doable to go straight into the ICU, just make sure you really want to be there. I started with another new grad who quit after 3 weeks, but I'm still going strong. I've said it before, and I'll say it again - just make sure the place you're going has a solid preceptorship/orientation program.

Good luck!

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Specializes in PICU.

I went to the PICU right after graduation. We had a six month orientation, plus we had classroom work too. In addition to the 32 hours of being precepted, we had 8 hours of classroom work that discussed dieases proceses, management of certain diseases, etc. It was great.

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I went to a large PICU several weeks after getting my BSN (I had to ask off to attend the official ceremony) while it wasn't all that difficult to get a job in the PICU it is certainly not for everyone, several people either left or were asked to leave from my orientation group. Several times I felt like I was going to sink rather than swim but my fellow nurses were always close by to throw me a rope when I need it and before long I was reaching out to the terrified looking new grad with that reassuring smile and hard to find ICP kit when a kid was crashing. If PICU is something you want try it and if it is not for you, find something else that is one of the things that makes nursing so great!

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If you apply early, you can definitely get a fellowship/internship in the ICU!

I do think it helps to have done an externship during school or have worked as a tech......but it's not necessary.

Good luck :~)

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