New Grad to ICU

baby.icu.nurse, ADN, RN · Mar 9, 2020

Graduated this past December. About 7 out of our 50 classmates were hired straight into the ICU after graduation. Three of us chose to go via a RN New Grad program at a different hospital.

ihavealltheice · Mar 9, 2020

I left my telemetry position after a year for ICU, received a 4 week orientation, which turned into 6, then 8. I failed miserably and ended up leaving after 4 months. I think half of it was my personality-I was very young, not confident in my skills and intimidated. I think I would have had more success if I would have entered an RN residency program, but who knows, I'm still intimated at times LOL!

I'm not sure if that helps you or not, but that's my story ?

SD25 · Mar 9, 2020

Great thanks for your replies. I will have a lot of student loans when I am done with the program and was wondering if you can give me some information on requirements to pick up PER DIEM shifts as an RN. From my understanding, I would have to work for a year before qualifying for these positions. Anyone have experience picking up two full-time jobs after graduating and working nights with both, for extra pay. The end goal is to go into CRNA school and would like to be financially covered when that time comes.

SD25 · Mar 9, 2020

In regards to new grad programs, how competitive is it to get into one of these programs and what can be done to maximize your chances of getting into one?

brownbook · Mar 9, 2020

13 minutes ago, SD25 said:
Great thanks for your replies. I will have a lot of student loans when I am done with the program and was wondering if you can give me some information on requirements to pick up PER DIEM shifts as an RN. From my understanding, I would have to work for a year before qualifying for these positions. Anyone have experience picking up two full-time jobs after graduating and working nights with both, for extra pay. The end goal is to go into CRNA school and would like to be financially covered when that time comes.

Once you obtain employment as an RN, in whatever facility you are hired, there are often numerous requests from your hospital staffing coordinator for staff to work overtime. You will be able to make extra money. You will receive your regular pay plus time and a half or whatever your facility offers.

If you are willing to float, to work different units, you will increase your chances of being asked to work extra hours.

Nunya, BSN · Mar 10, 2020

5 hours ago, brownbook said:
Once you obtain employment as an RN, in whatever facility you are hired, there are often numerous requests from your hospital staffing coordinator for staff to work overtime. You will be able to make extra money. You will receive your regular pay plus time and a half or whatever your facility offers.
If you are willing to float, to work different units, you will increase your chances of being asked to work extra hours.

This is your best option. It would be very difficult to juggle the schedule of two full-time jobs, especially as you'll most likely be working 12s. That would have you working 6/7 shifts a week.

OUxPhys, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2020

Best way to get into an ICU as a new grad is either do a preceptorship in an ICU or work in an ICU as an aide.

SD25 · Mar 10, 2020

I have been thinking of this idea, would like to throw it out and see what everyone's opinion is on this. I have family in California, so I would start by getting an ICU job there, most likely through a new grad RN residency program. After this program, I would work for 1 year and then after this, supplement my income with perdiem shifts at hospitals in San Francisco. My sister is a nurse and has many of her coworkers do this, as overtime rates are at double pay. How feasible is it to get one of these positions after a year of work experience. I plan to do this because I have a lot of debt from school and CRNA school will be very expensive. Any insight is appreciated, thanks!

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Mar 10, 2020

13 minutes ago, SD25 said:
I have been thinking of this idea, would like to throw it out and see what everyone's opinion is on this. I have family in California, so I would start by getting an ICU job there, most likely through a new grad RN residency program. After this program, I would work for 1 year and then after this, supplement my income with perdiem shifts at hospitals in San Francisco. My sister is a nurse and has many of her coworkers do this, as overtime rates are at double pay. How feasible is it to get one of these positions after a year of work experience. I plan to do this because I have a lot of debt from school and CRNA school will be very expensive. Any insight is appreciated, thanks!

You may want to search the market and look under Careers>First Year on this site. CA is an extremely tough market to get into as a new RN, especially the locations you mentioned, even if you know people. It's so competitive, that most have to move to other areas of the state, or even out of state and take less than their desired job, like SNF or LTACH, to get a start. Many threads on here if you search. You may want to think about other locations that have a need. Think rural, or less desired locations and specialties. Just want to toss this out there as we see lots of posts about new grads in CA and NYC or other large metro areas saturated in new grads, and no jobs or not the jobs they want. Good luck

kp2016 · Mar 10, 2020

I think you are getting way ahead of yourself. Your main focus right now needs to be on passing your ASBN classes. Once you have started the course work, if you have time on top of studying getting a aide job is a great idea.

SD25 · Mar 10, 2020

The end goal is CRNA school and getting ICU experience will be the best to get an acceptance in the most efficient way possible. So I will stick with the plan of getting CNA certified and getting a job as tech in an ICU and using this to get entry into ICU as an RN. Thanks for all the replies and clarification.