New Grad offered a critical care job? Am I ready?

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Wow, I went to an interview for a hospital looking for a nurse to take care of mainly CHF & chronic renal failure patients. I honestly went just to get interview practice. I only graduated a month ago and just got my license. I never thought they would even consider me since I have zero experience but they have offered me the job. Eek! They said I would have a 9-10 week orientation but I am still a little stunned because these patients need a nurse at the top of her game. The manager told me that I would catch on quickly and after I worked there two years, I could work anywhere I wanted because of the experience I would have. My question is - did anyone else jump right into critical care? How did it work for you? I have a few days to change my mind before the paperwork is done and I am hoping to hear from anyone with a similar experience.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I have an interview with an ICU - truly never thought I would EVER work in an ICU - but I will be at that interview giving it everything I've got!

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At my facility CRF and CHF don't qualify as critical care. The CHF are generally always on telemetry while the CRF can be on telemetry or a medical unit depending on what else they have going on. So I'm a little confused about what kind of unit you'll actually be working on.

We do accept new grads in the MICU, SICU and CVICU units and the ones I know seem to like it and are doing just fine. They get a 12+ week orientation, compared to 7 weeks on the floor which I think helps. Some people find it a better initial experience because they average 2 patients (compared to the 8 pt load I have). However, they have a lot going on with their 2 patients and they are generally very unstable compared to what I'm working with.

If it's an area that interests you, give it a shot! Many managers prefer new grads in critical care because they haven't picked up "bad" habits working the floor!

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Specializes in Peds, developmental disability.

Do it! They are offering you training in a specialty!!

Texan56

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Thanks everyone. I have been offered three jobs this week and I think I am going to take the one that is closer to home and has a much lower patient acuity level (and a lower patient ratio, as well).

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I went straight to Critical Care. The orientation isn't just on the floor. There is a LOT of education. Patho, machines, EKG...everything!

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That's great news! What state are you in?

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Thanks everyone. I have been offered three jobs this week and I think I am going to take the one that is closer to home and has a much lower patient acuity level (and a lower patient ratio, as well).

What state, city are you in and what did you do to land 3 jobs in 1 week? Thanks!!!!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Congratulations on your job!

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Specializes in psych nursing.

9-10 week orientation does not seem very long. My friend went to a Critical Care area and had a 16 week orientation. Be careful and make sure they have a supportive environment and don't be afraid to ask for help.

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I started in the Emergency Room. I love it. I was hesitant to apply for the position, but I knew it was for a new grad. I figured, why not let that new grad be me?

I say take it! My ER orientation was 10 weeks and things have worked out well for me. I am coming up on one year soon. :)

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Specializes in Float pool for 14 months.

Wow. All those orientations seem so short, especially for a new grad. New grads at my ER get six months of orientation. When I started this job, I had been a nurse for a year and my orientation was 3 months. I felt like that wasn't enough. My ED sees sometimes upwards of 250+ pts a day. Mondays and tuesdays sometimes 300. I feel like 3 months wasn't enough. I've been on my own for almost a month and still freak out. I know what I'm doing in my head, but I am severly lacking in confidence. My job has failed people on orientation. They even have sent back people to the units they came from. They sent a guy back to the ICU. I found that odd. I'm glad all you new grads have been finding jobs. It took me almost 7 months to find one. Xoxoxoxoxoxo my fellow nurses. Keep on keepin on!

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