New graduate seeking ICU/ER position

[aba2013]

Hello, I am a student about to graduate in December. I have been an LPN for 5 years and only worked in long term care since. While in LPN school, we rotated through the ER and I enjoyed the rotation greatly. We just completed out ICU rotation in my RN program and I learned a lot and many things came together in this rotation. I have plans to go on anesthesia school for CRNA and I know that ICU and trauma experience is needed. I think starting in the ICU or ER would be a better start for me instead of jumping right into trauma. How difficult would it be for me to catch on in these areas with little acute care experience. My next question would be do hospitals hire new graduates to full open positions in these areas, especially someone with little acute care experience.

CRNA schools are looking for folks out of the ICUs, not out of the ED or 'trauma'

There are opportunities for new grads in the ICU but they're very, very competitive.

By all means, DO NOT MENTION the CRNA thing at all... in fact, be ready to deny it believably.

The ICUs have no desire to be the stepping stone to CRNA school... it costs too much to train you only to have you bail out long before they've recouped their investment.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

CRNA schools are looking for folks out of the ICUs not out of the ED or 'trauma' [/quote']

Not necessarily. There are reputable schools that consider ED/Trauma to be critical-care-ish enough for CRNA school.

However, I agree about stepping stones -- be careful in disclosing plans that would not give potential employers a return on investment.