Path to become a Critical Care RN in California

[thatchergirl, BSN, RN]

Hello my fellow nurses,

I graduated in 2012 with my ADN and worked at a SNF for 1 year before I went back to school for my BSN. I have a total of 1 year experience at the SNF as the charge nurse, almost 2 years of experience as an Adjunct Faculty at a University working with simulations/new skills/ lab, etc... , 1 year in Medical Surgical, and I'm currently working in the Medical-Surgical/Oncology department. It's been 3 months since I transferred there. My ultimate goal is to work in Critical Care, but I'm not sure the fastest route to get there. I live in AZ and by February of next year I'll be moving to California. I already started the process of validating my license in California; however, I'm not sure if I'd be able to get a job in the ICU right off the bat. What kind of jobs should I apply for that will allow me to get to the ICU faster? How is that in the state of California? At my current job they want at least one year in PCU before going to ICU. Please help me out, as I don't want to wait way too much to get to where I wanna be.

Thanks you!

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

Transfer to ICU at your current facility after 6 months on the med surg unit, work there for a year, then move to California.

[LV3677]

Based on your experience, I think the fastest route to critical care for you would be to not move to CA. I hear the job market is very competitive. I doubt you'd get an ICU position straightaway with such a saturated job market. I would recommend that the PP states- gain experience in AZ in an ICU and then move.

If this is not possible, then you may have to take the long route- med surg or PCU because you have med surg experience, then ICU...which can take several years.