new grad starting in critical care

SFCardiacRN · Feb 18, 2006

They are called "New Grad Programs" not "I'm a burned out med/surg nurse looking for a way out program". My unit (OR) recently hired 4 RN's. 2 new grads & 2 med/surg. The new grads are doing very well but the med/surg nurses are not getting it. They have so many bad habits and can't seem to focus on what is important from an OR point of view.

epiphany · Feb 18, 2006

Tranferring from m/s to ICU in less than year is not going to be easy. You have go job hunting again, and you have a hx of not staying too long in your previous job.

Cindijewel · Feb 18, 2006

Go for it! I never worked the floor in my life having given a chance as a new grad to join the ICU team. That was over 20 years ago and my career has just been awesome....probably because I had the guts to do things like that! I now make over $100,00/year and am only 50.

Go for it girl!!! :nurse:

Jen04 nurse · Feb 18, 2006

Go for it! I never worked the floor in my life having given a chance as a new grad to join the ICU team. That was over 20 years ago and my career has just been awesome....probably because I had the guts to do things like that! I now make over $100,00/year and am only 50.
Go for it girl!!!

Thanks! I am glad to hear this. I was freaking out reading some of these other posts! I have been a nurse for a couple years on a Rehab unit (my first job after graduation). I am still a new nurse, sure I have some experience (our unit is part med-surg).

I am such a perfectionist, structured, detail-oriented person I love the idea of ICU. I wanted to start there, but I was too scared. I decided to bite the bullet and do it, I got the job and start in June.

I haven't been nervous about it until reading this thread!!

Thanks for your post though, I have to focus on the positive now!

CRNAorBust · Feb 18, 2006

My intention wasn't to upset anyone or make them doubt themselves.....my intention was to just give my own experience. My was not optimal for ME. Others have had optimal experiences for THEM. the type of training you get plus your previous experience will help ALOT.

All the best.......

CRNAorBust · Feb 18, 2006

My intention wasn't to upset anyone or make them doubt themselves.....my intention was to just give my own experience. Mine was not optimal for ME. Others have had optimal experiences for THEM. the type of training you get plus your previous experience will help ALOT.

All the best.......

lthbarmc · Feb 18, 2006

I started as a new grad in critical care (Med-Surg) nearly 20 years ago, and I'm still a critical care nurse, finding my niche in Neonatal ICU. I've done many things between graduating and present day including postpartum, home health, orthopedics, and long-term care. Each floor, unit, or area of practice comes with a unique set of pros and cons, so I personally feel it greatly depends on the individual, taking into account their strengths, weaknesses, and interests. Having said that; as a new grad you may not have fully discovered what your strenths and weakenss are. In my opinion, critical care is neither more difficult, or less difficult that "floor" nursing. It is what it is--a completely different world. You're either at home there, or not. Same with "floor" or med-surg areas. For me, I find I feel much less fragmented in critical care having one or two patients. If you're planning a career in anesthesia, I personally would recommend jumping right into critical care. That's not to say that time spent in other area would be a "waste of time" for lack of a better term. On the contrary; I learned a great deal in those other areas I have worked in--everything from time management/prioritizing to invaluable "tricks of the trade." Above all, I learned that NO area of nursing is easy. No nurse is above another. I have an ENORMOUS amount of respect and even AWE of med-surg nurses. I am as humbled by a med-surg nurse as I am of just about anyone on the planet. We all have our talents and, hopefully we all find an area where they are best utilized. Good luck to you in whatever path you choose!

margaretrn2000 · Feb 18, 2006

I worked med-surg for 3 years prior to transferring to our Icu. I always wanted to be in the ICU, but I was told to get started in med-surg first. I see the new grads in the ICU now and think I made the right decision. I had to go through the same orientation as the new grads, and the experience has been wonderful. I have now been in ICU for 2 years, sometimes filling in in the ER. I would highly recommend getting a start in med-surg, at least 6 months- 1 year.

akamom9041 · Feb 18, 2006

Hello,

I started out in Surgical ICU as a grad nurse...the hospital I chose to work at when I graduated offered a 12 week internship for the transition and it was the best decision I ever made. Perhaps your hospital offers something along tht line. I commend you for knowing what you want and going for it! Best wishes.

pepsihla · Feb 19, 2006

I went straight to the CVICU when I graduated. I did a preceptorship required by school and was told I was very competent and the manager came by to offer me a job. I had 3 months orientation which included ICU classes and hands on. If your heart is into this type of nursing, I say go for it!

I now work in PACU because of the schedule works better with kids sports and school schedule. If it wasn't for the ICU experience, I would have not have had such a good chance to land the PACU job, which only requires to work every 7th weekend. Working in the ICU can really boost your career and give you lots of experience.

Go for it!

enelda77 · Feb 19, 2006

It's a good idea to get your feet wet first, especially as a new nurse. I would suggest instead of going into a med/surg floor to go to a cardiac step down unit such as a telemetry floor or a pcu, for at least the first year. This way you can learn more about your vasoactive drugs before going to an ICU. On these units you will administer vasoactive drugs but on more stable patient with less frequency. :rolleyes:

91C_ARMYLPN · Feb 20, 2006

_aa

Would anyone reccomend starting out as an ER nurse or ICU nurse. I want to get started on nurse anesthesia and I've heard that this is what I need to do. What do you guys think. I graduate in May.

Hi there

If this is where your heart leads you, then follow it. Med/Surg is different than ICU...the nurse to patient ratio, acuity, equipment, etc. To have a solid foundation of basic nursing skills, Med/Surg is the way to go.

If you feel confident in your skills and feel ready for the challenge, then check out ICU. With a good orientation/preceptorship in the ICU, you can learn to achieve and fly. It can be stressful, patient's have more complicated diagnosis/ illnesses, to master time management/assessment skills, set your priorities, etc. You never stop learning, even when your orientation period is completed. In my personal experience, I was a fresh LPN Army graduate, assigned to multi-faceted ICU (Med, Surg, Peds, and Trauma). Besides quickly learning the basics: IV's, NG tubes, EKG interpretation, etc. Then came ventilators. arterial lines, central lines, vasopressors, etc. I personally have no regrets. Sure wish I could work in the ICU in the civilian sector. But, here in California one needs to have their RN. Follow your dreams. Good luck and the best to you, in whatever you decide. :balloons:

Sincerely,

91C_ARMYLPN :nurse: