New grad: Med/Surg or ICU

[Danish, MSN, APRN, NP]

I am graduating in 9 weeks and I have started applying for jobs at local hospitals. I have had serious offers from 2 med/surg floors and now an ICU. My ultimate goal is to work in an ICU, so that was very exciting for me. The issue Im having is that my instructor and a few other seasoned nurses have urged against going straight into an ICU setting. They have all told me that every nurse should have a few years on the floor under their belt. Im nervous now. Any suggestions?

[treysdaddy08]

I am graduating in 9 weeks and I have started applying for jobs at local hospitals. I have had serious offers from 2 med/surg floors and now an ICU. My ultimate goal is to work in an ICU, so that was very exciting for me. The issue Im having is that my instructor and a few other seasoned nurses have urged against going straight into an ICU setting. They have all told me that every nurse should have a few years on the floor under their belt. Im nervous now. Any suggestions?

My advice to you would be go to a different hospital, one where you did clinicals (so they know you're not some nut walking in off the street) but haven't applied to (so they have no bias in thier answer). Ask an ICU nurse there, or the Charge Nurse what she thinks; if you can be succesful with no experience. Asking someone who is already in the field would probably be the best course of action.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

Do you have any other kind of healthcare experience? CNA or tech experiences? They sure help.

I went straight into the ICU and it's completely doable. It's hard, and you will encounter nurses who feel that you shouldn't be there. Ideally, of course, we'd all like to have more experience under our belt. But there's nothing like ICU experience.

But the real question is, How do you feel about it? Do you feel that you can do it, or do you feel that you need more experience first?