New grad recommendations

[AJS04]

I am currently scheduled to graduate as a RN this December :). My dream is to eventually end up as a flight nurse. I have read some of the previous posts and see that critical care experience is of utmost importance. The ICU at the hospital I plan on working at does not typically hire new grads. My question is, would it be better for me to take my first job on the surgical floor or the NICU before trying to transfer to the ICU?

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Your best bet would be Med/Surg floor nurse or ER. Most NICUs will not hire new grads unless they had a Senior Capstone at a Level 3 or 4 NICU.

My advice is if your school has a Senior Capstone, to get placed in an ICU or an ER (preferably at a large hospital or trauma center) . That will give you a little advantage in getting a ICU or ER job as a new grad

[SoaringOwl]

Your best bet would be Med/Surg floor nurse or ER. Most NICUs will not hire new grads unless they had a Senior Capstone at a Level 3 or 4 NICU.

This is not accurate. I had two NICU interviews with no NICU experience. There's lots of NICU residencies around the country. They're open to new grads.

[guest769224]

Take any critical care exp you can get. Including NICU.

My hospital has pediatric flight RN's.

[AJS04]

Thank you for your responses! I have applied to the NICU, the surgical floor, and the ICU. Keeping my fingers crossed that I will get into one of the critical care positions right out of school :). Thanks again!