Opportunity to transition into critical care

[TM82]

I am an experienced operating room nurse . Before the OR I worked for "AHRC residential nurse for the disabled medically frail". I am currently seeking to transition into the world of becoming a critical care nurse. Why is it so darn hard to get into 😒. I've heard "I have no floor/bedside experience so sorry we won't hire you". Whatever happen to training, orientation and educators ?? I've also heard try applying to a step down unit to gain experience and then apply to critical

care. I've tried that , and got as far as interviewing for a step down unit, and no call back ☹️. I am becoming so frustrated . I've even went so far as to apply for critical Care fellowships , and still no feedback. I feel like a new grad all over again unable to find a job😤 With my extensive surgical background , I assumed landing a position in the SICU would be the perfect transition , with individualized training . Yes being an operating room nurse is basically all technical , there is no critical thinking per say . WHY IS IT SO HARD TO GIVE AN EXPERIENCED OPERATING ROOM NURSE A CHANCE 😫😩

[bekabsn]

So sorry to hear you are struggling to find a place in ICU. I have a co-worker who has now been on our ICU unit for 1 year, previous work experience was OR nursing. She is a fabulous nurse and a great asset to the team. Sure there was a learning curve to overcome, but didn't take long, and well worth it. I hope you are able to land a job in ICU/CCU soon!

[TM82]

Thank you bekabsn for the support

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

What about PACU to start? That's a more seamless transition to critical care than is OR and I would think an easier transition from OR.

[guest769224]

Open to relocation? I can PM you a hospital that will hire you into a large ICU.

[TM82]

A break thru, finally. I've landed a position in the Neuro ICU department at my current hospital previously , I've circulated and scrubbed in Neurosurgery cases for an entire year. Even though the OR and ICU is completely different , I truly feel that OR neuro experience will come in hand , especially knowing the sign and symptoms of post op craniotomies and such. I'm so glad the neuro icu manager is open to transitioning an experienced OR nurse into her speciality.most places want someone to hit the ground running !