new grad in the icu???

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I am about to graduate, and want to end up as a ER nurse eventually. I have worked in the ER for the last 5 years and I have an interview coming up to for the ICU. I am taking ACLS and PALS before I graduate. Is it a good idea for new grads to go directly into the unit?

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Specializes in ITU/Emergency.

I would usually say no because its a good idea to get more global experience before specialising but in your case, I would say go for it. You have prior hospital experience(I presume it was clinical experience?) and are obviously focused and know what you want. I worked in the ICU prior to the ER as part of my career plan and its a fantastic grounding for the criticial care enviroment of the ER. Good luck with the interview!

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Thankyou. I worked as a Unit coord, the a clinical assistant.

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I am about to graduate, and want to end up as a ER nurse eventually. I have worked in the ER for the last 5 years and I have an interview coming up to for the ICU. I am taking ACLS and PALS before I graduate. Is it a good idea for new grads to go directly into the unit?

Look in the critical care forums in neuro icu- I just wrote a long post about this.

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Specializes in ICU/CCU/CVICU/ED/HS.

I went from student to ICU with a STRONG background in EMS. I wish I had went to Med/Surg first as it will help with time management. That seemed to me the hardest part(for me) to get. If you have good time management skills and a GOOD preceptor(note emphasis) it will be a wonderful shortcut to the E.D. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!...EMSBOSS;)

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I think I have good time management! The ER is very busy and I seem to multitask and prioritize pretty good. For my LPN l precepted in the ER and did ok. I am precepting in a neuro unit right now, for and It is really an eye opener. The patients are so complex.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Why not just go straight to the ER if that's your passion?

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Because I think that I should get some Critical Care nursing under my belt and make sure that I can do great assessments. I had thought about going into ER right away, but ER and ICU go hand in hand so I think I will benefit more by the ICU at this point.

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Specializes in LPN school.

I started in CCU as a new grad. its tough, but it can be done

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I just started in MICU and I love it. You'll learn to manage time where ever you are. I'm starting training next week for the code team and I'm pretty stoked about working there. I'd say it is more important to find a place where people work as a team and take pride and enjoyment in teaching new people.

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Many years ago I would have said, no ...go do med surg for a while. But ,over the years I've changed my mind. There are many times I feel that all nurses should start out in critical care before they go to the floor to work. You can gain so much expericnce in ICU, ER etc, that I will make any job you do after that much easier. You will gain critical thinking skills that allow you to participate in stressful situations with more ease. So, now I say that ICU is a good place to start.

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If you want to work ICU and you can handle the enivornment, then I say go for it. I wouldn't work a day on medsurg or step down for anything.

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