New grad in need of wisdom

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Jul 30, 2006

I can tell you that the hardest part of nursing right now is learning all the new things at a new job. The paperwork, paging system, monitors, charting, chain of command, policy and procedures.....It's all done differently then where I worked as a tech. In that respect, I'd say stay where you are.

On the other hand, you are at your most flexible and open to challenging, new and difficult situations now as a new nurse. That's because (I think) that we are used to things changing all of the time in nursing school, and we are used to being in uncomfortable situations. In that respect, I'd say go for the hospital that is the most challenging.

TennRN2004 · Jul 30, 2006

Lots of things to consider, and some will be the old hindsight is 20/20 whenever you make your final choice b/c there will always be things you didn't factor into the equation when trying to decide where to go. What I would do is make a list of pros/cons to each, and a list of how the places you're considering employment compare. Make a list of questions like- how long is orientation, what is the turnover rate in the ICU (clues you in to staff satisfaction), what percentage of new hires are new grads, how well do the new grads do, compare the benefits closely, how is staffing done (self staffing vs. mgr sets schedule), weekend requirements, of course pay is always a consideration, what type of support staff available to you-ICU educator, formal resource person when you come off orientation each shift, and I know there are tons of others that's off the top of my head. Also, why not see if you could shadow for a couple of hours places you're considering, that would give you the best idea of what to expect. Any place can sound great when you're interviewing, but seeing the actual day to day environment may be totally different than what you were told. Ask yourself what you want out of the ICU. Do you want to get your feet wet with basic sick, but stable pts, or do you think you could adapt yourself to the sickest of the sick in a ultra high acuity hospital. Basically, how well do you handle stress, and are you a fast learner to handle such an environment? In the end, go where you feel you will have the most support and be able to learn in the way that is best for you.

Feel free to give us an idea of what the different ICUs are telling you and I'll give you my oppinion about your specific options as I'm sure others will. Congrats on upcoming graduation. I love nursing, and it only gets better when all the stress of school is behind you and you can focus on doing what you love. :wink2:

AnubisRN · Jul 31, 2006

One thing to consider is if you do go to another facility and hate it, will your old job hire you back. One of my classmates went to another hospital after graduating and hated it. When she tried to go back to the hospital where she was a CNA, they had a no-rehire policy, even though it was a different position!

As for me, I made the big leap and went to a large intimidating teaching hospital and it was the best choice I could have made. If you really want ICU expierence go to an ICU that other hospitals transport to when they can no longer handle the patient.

vamedic4, EMT-P · Jul 31, 2006

Hello everyone, this is my 1st post but I've been gaining precious knowledge from this site ever since I started nursing school. I'm a senior now and will be graduating this January. Since starting the program I've known that on graduation I'd want to work in an ICU, and for the past year I've been working as a cna in a sicu/micu at a hospital near Boston. They offer a formal new grad ICU program and I think it would be fairly easy for me to get a job there on graduation. However, I'm seriously undecided and wonder if I should try to get a job at one of the major hospitals in boston...not sure what would be best for me. On one hand making the transition to a nurse and surviving the internship might be easier because I already know and get along with everyone, but on the other hand Boston might be a better learning experience with more severe exotic cases, not to mention higher pay. Can anyone help me gain some perspective on this? Any advice is greatly apreciated.:)

Hi Ocram and welcome to Allnurses.com!! You mentioned that the hospital in which you currently work offers a new grad ICU program. That sounds like a very good option. Any time you can expand your knowledge in an atmosphere you're COMFORTABLE in...you learn better. And what you learn can be applied elsewhere. You mentioned that you are already familiar with the way things work...staff, et cetera...why risk going to another place and having to relearn all that mess??

Stay where you are and make the most of your learning experience. Then you can take what you've learned and be an awesome ICU RN. Get some experience and you can go anywhere.

vamedic4

just my $.02

OcramRN2be · Jul 31, 2006

thanks for everyone's feedback, i'm still somewhat undecided but you have definitely given me some new things to consider, i'll make sure to keep ya posted as i start interviewing :)

Corvette Guy · Aug 8, 2006

IMHO, you should apply for the formal new grad ICU program.

Good luck!

laterria · Aug 18, 2006

Hello everyone, this is my 1st post but I've been gaining precious knowledge from this site ever since I started nursing school. I'm a senior now and will be graduating this January. Since starting the program I've known that on graduation I'd want to work in an ICU, and for the past year I've been working as a cna in a sicu/micu at a hospital near Boston. They offer a formal new grad ICU program and I think it would be fairly easy for me to get a job there on graduation. However, I'm seriously undecided and wonder if I should try to get a job at one of the major hospitals in boston...not sure what would be best for me. On one hand making the transition to a nurse and surviving the internship might be easier because I already know and get along with everyone, but on the other hand Boston might be a better learning experience with more severe exotic cases, not to mention higher pay. Can anyone help me gain some perspective on this? Any advice is greatly apreciated.:)

Hi! I just graduated from nursing school May 2006. Like you, I worked as a Tech/CNA in an ICU while in my 2nd year of nursing school. Also like you, I considered going to another hospital because it paid more money. Once I sat down and weighed the pros and cons, I decided to stay with the hospital I was at. Now, I KNOW I made the RIGHT decision to stay. As God would have it, I'm making more at the hospital I stayed at than the hospital I would have gone to because they were paying New Grads more money!

Some of my pros to staying included: I know the manager, the staff, the hospital, and have at least seen most of the paperwork. Here, I know what I am dealing with!

Con: what if I get there and it's not what I thought it would be and hated it?????

Hope this helps!

SICU Queen · Aug 26, 2006

I think you should go to the ICU that's got the more critical patients. That experience will make you an asset to any facility, and you will have many opportunities available to you as a result.

I'm a nosy sort, so let us know what you decide to do!