new grad in the icu???

[2beanurse]

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?

[chris_at_lucas_RN, RN]

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?

Five years in the ER taught you some things other new grads won't know.

You will have ACLS and PALS before you graduate? Two more points in the "plus" column.

Is this an internship position?

Go for it. If they will hire you, go for it. You sound like a very bright, ambitious nurse, and you sound much better prepared than the average, fresh out of school grad.

[heathIam, RN]

I would say no. If you want to get the experience with time management and develop your assessment skills then go to a general med/surgical ward. THAT is where you really learn time management and assessment. No matter where you preceptored as a student I feel that graduationg students need at least a year in general wards to get their experiences and skills up to what they should be to work in an ICU or an ER setting.

Do some grads go right in to and ICU or an ER? Sure they do. Does that make it best? No, new grads need to learn the basic skills of a nurse before they learn to work in a specialized area.

[GrnHonu99, RN]

I was a new grad in the ICU. I have done well. It can be done. You develop great critical thiking skills.

[incublissRN, BSN, RN]

I started in cardiac recovery after only 6 months on a cardiac medical unit. It was the best decision I ever made. A lot depends on your preceptor and the unit culture.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

I was a new grad in the ICU. I have done well. It can be done. You develop great critical thiking skills.

Same here. The only thing a year in med-surg would have taught me is that I don't want to work in med-surg!

If you want ICU, do ICU. If you want ED, then do ED.

Personally, I don't think you need the ICU before ED, but I understand why you want to do it that way.

Good luck!

[2beanurse]

I agree with you on that!!! Good for you! congrats! good luck!