New Grad. Want to work in the ICU

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Hi everyone. Thanks in advance for taking the time to help me out. I'd appreciate any feedback on getting a critical care job after graduation.

I'm graduating in 2 weeks with my BSN. I had a 15 week externship in a Trauma ICU this summer. I have also been working in the critical care areas at that hospital as a tech since the externship ended. I am scheduled to become ACLS certified this week. I have all of my paperwork for NCLEX (that I can control) sent in to the state so that I can take the test as soon as possible after graduation. What other advice would you give to a new grad trying to get a critical care job? What worked well for you or what would have helped you out?

Thanks again!

Thank you all so much for the supportive comments. It seems like it's one of those things in life that if you work hard, and leave no stone unturned, than it is possible.

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I went straight to ICU out of school even though many people told me not to I'm really happy I did. I couldn't picture myself doing anything else. As far as 'being ready' you know yourself better then anyone else. Go with your gut, if you're comfortable taking ACLS then do it!!! I did the same thing then took my CCRN the day I had enough patient contact hours. There's nothing wrong with furthering your education. Don't get me wrong my first year and a half was pretty rough. There were a few days I cried but there was never anything I couldn't truly handle. Plus I was lucky to be on an awesome unit, and never felt alone. The only advice I really have is of you feel like your in over your head speak up for yourself and always ask questions!!

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Hey there, I'm a new grad who was hired into a CVICU. They do have a program in our facility for a 6 month orientation that includes class time.

I had ACLS before hire and I wish I would have saved my money. It's not useful to someone who doesn't have acute care experience and my facility doesn't really mind paying for their nurses to attend their ACLS class. But hindsight!

I don't know if I will regret my choice, we shall see in a couple years I suppose! I think I do have realistic expectations about it. Some of my classmates wanted to go to critical care because they were tired of med/surg poo. I had to laugh, because they didn't think the ICU had poo?

Good luck to you, hope you find what you love !

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Not to thread-jack, but do any of you have suggestions on "getting my feet wet" prior to ICU employment (my dream) that minimize heavy lifting? I severely herniated my L5 in pedi home health and am afraid that may prevent me from ever making my critical care dream a reality...especially in the Northeast where any job is hard to come by. I certainly want to earn my keep but am wondering if ICU is a practical achievement for me given my physical limitations that will largely prevent me from dealing with adults.

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What about the NICU? You could get your critical care fix and not hurt your back!

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Specializes in Case Management, ICU, Telemetry.

Good Morning,I was actually recently (last night) offered a job in a Med-Surg ICU. Critical care has always been my dream, however my other job offer was at Maricopa Integrated Health (County) in their med-surg department. I am still on the fence because I was a foster child so it has always been important to me to be able to give back to the community. Maricopa was my DREAM hospital, I even turned down TWO jobs for 30% more money because I thought it was so important to give back... That being said the ICU position is at (literally) the BEST hospital in Arizona, a Magnet hospital.... In my DREAM department. There are benefits to both. Maricopa has better benefits, ICU has Magnet, Maricopa has a very organized NG orientation, ICU has Ecco, Maricopa I'm serving the community like I've always wanted to do, ICU I get to have something impressive on my résumé for ACNP.Maricopa 1-5 pt ratio I will learn prioritizing and multitasking, ICU (1-1/1-2) I will have more face time with my patient and learn critical care.It's difficult but I'm assuming it CAN be done because they hire new grads for a reason... I have a lot to think about.The bottom line is that the positives and the negatives of ANY position will be close to equal... They all have benefits and downfalls. ICU does hire new grads sometimes, and they go on to be successful awesome ICU nurses.

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New grads do get hired in to ICU, you can do it! I just did! I am a graduate of an ADN program, I passed my exam on the first try two weeks after I graduated, and was the top of my graduating class. I completed my senior practicum in the ICU, and I also was a veterinary technician before I became a nurse. I had great recommendations from my all of my instructors and preceptor. I think that because of my hard work, recommendations, and previous experience in the medical field made me a good candidate for ICU. You can do it, do not let anyone tell you that you can't.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

It's possible. Started orientation this week. Two weeks classroom, in residency program. I start out on the step-down unit, after three months, I will return to the class room for additional orientation, plus critical care class for another two weeks, then ICU preceptorship for another three months. I'm in the PICU at a children's hospital. There are a few other colleagues who started with me. They have orientation, preceptorship and critical care class. The unit caters to both new grads and experienced nurses.

There is hope for you. If ICU is where you want to be go for it! :)

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For sure it's possible, am Already an ICU nurse for 8 years and never worked in any other unit. No need for ACLS cause usually hospital will pay it for you, but the problem will be finding an employer to hire u as fresh graduate, Which is not mission impossible. You will have to show in the work interview that u have the skills to work there, so try to focus on critical care skills before you apply to any position, good luck :)

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New grads do get hired in to ICU you can do it! I just did! I am a graduate of an ADN program, I passed my exam on the first try two weeks after I graduated, and was the top of my graduating class. I completed my senior practicum in the ICU, and I also was a veterinary technician before I became a nurse. I had great recommendations from my all of my instructors and preceptor. I think that because of my hard work, recommendations, and previous experience in the medical field made me a good candidate for ICU. You can do it, do not let anyone tell you that you can't.[/quote']

You can do it. I am still with my preceptor and almost ready to be on my own. When you get in the ICU ask if you can be with a least Three different preceptors cause you will learn more that way.

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Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

Being a new grad in the ICU is kicking my posterior... but in a good way...

I feel myself improve slowly... I am just trusting what people say: it gets easier with time!

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How did you get accepted into an ICU internship with so many new RN grads applying? Just curious, it's so competitive out there. Also, every time I come across a new Rn grad internship, I'm always missing the deadlines. How do you find these internships before the deadlines? I got my ADN may of 2011 and worked as a triage nurse in a GI office which I left after 8-9 months. I'm a still considered a new grad?

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