New Grads going straight into critical care

jamisaurus · Mar 19, 2015

I started in the ICU as a new grad, I have about 9 months experience now. My unit is notorious for hiring new grads. With a strong orientation and self directed learning it's doable.

the RNs who come from med surg already have experience in assessments, meds, patient care and are learning the critical thinking side, vents, drips. They might get out of orientation a few weeks earlier but I don't think it necessarily makes them better ICU nurses because they've had experience on the floor. It's a whole different ball game!

Nalon1 RN/EMT-P, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2015

Depends on the person. Some need the time on a floor to learn time and task management as well as patient care, others can hit the ground running in the ICU.

It also depends on the ICU, facility and orientation program.

gmondina · Mar 20, 2015

Hi jamisaurus,

Where is this place at that hires new grads in ICU? Are they still hiring even if it's not in ICU...hehe..thanks!

ajmclean · Mar 21, 2015

i started in the icu as a new grad, i have about 9 months experience now. My unit is notorious for hiring new grads. With a strong orientation and self directed learning it's doable.
The rns who come from med surg already have experience in assessments, meds, patient care and are learning the critical thinking side, vents, drips. They might get out of orientation a few weeks earlier but i don't think it necessarily makes them better icu nurses because they've had experience on the floor. It's a whole different ball game!

i love the blink 182 avatar!!!!!!!!!!!!

nursepeaches · Apr 1, 2015

Thanks for the replies!

sugarmagnolia3 · Apr 7, 2015

I went straight into adult ICU. My hospital had a strong new grad program and my preceptor was awesome. Best opportunity I've ever had.

jamisaurus · Apr 7, 2015

I went straight into adult ICU. My hospital had a strong new grad program and my preceptor was awesome. Best opportunity I've ever had.

And now you work in PICU? Sorry for stalking, I'm thinking of making the change myself. How was that transition?

sugarmagnolia3 · Apr 7, 2015

Yes! In PICU now! I just started in PICU last October after 5+ years working in various adult ICUs. I love it, and am learning so much! I think the transition was relatively smooth, but I felt like I had a solid critical care base, and had already worked in quite a few environments, so I don't have the "there's only one right way to do things" mentality that comes with working in only one place.

Pluses are, it's easier on the body, and I feel like I do a lot more "lifesaving" than "death prevention". The docs are much nicer.

Drawbacks are, I feel like I have far less autonomy to make clinical decisions, and almost all the families are like your really intense families of adult pts (can't blame them, I'd be the same way if it were my child in ICU). There's also a lot more emotional attachment- think about my patients all the time when I'm not at work, whereas I was really good at detaching from my adult pts, and not thinking about work in my downtime.

If you have a solid base, solid ICU skills, go for it! If you still have the fish-out-of-water uncomfortable feeling, I would wait a bit and keep learning and honing your skills. I had that feeling for my first 1.5-2 years, which I don't think is abnormal.

sugarmagnolia3 · Apr 7, 2015

Also, one suggestion I have to make is if you have any interest in obtaining your CCRN-adult cert, do it before you transfer! I regret not doing it while I worked with adults, and am pressing to obtain it now, while I still meet the eligibility in hours.

jamisaurus · Apr 7, 2015

Thanks for the great advice, sugarmagnolia!!! Way to put things into perspective.

WorldDay · Apr 7, 2015

Depends on where you work, and their culture, you might winded up getting pick on because those with MS skills mastered knows certain things, and they (ICU RNs) have to teach very basic of nursing. So, they will do their hardest try to get you written up and get to expelled from the ICU.