Tips for getting into ICU as a new grad?

labcat01, BSN, RN · Dec 21, 2008

Is there anything I should do, or decisions I should make as a nursing student, that will help me find an ICU job as a new grad? There is a possibility that I may pursue being a CRNA down the road, but even if I don't, I think I would learn a lot and gain a lot of confidence as an ICU nurse. If I get an interview, should I not mention the possibility of anesthesia school?
Thanks!

My advice for the nursing student interested in ICU would be to study hard and make good grades so that you would be a competitive applicant for an ICU internship. You can't go into the ICU as a new grad unless you have an extensive orientation with precepting. If you can handle the extra work, I would also suggest getting a job in an ICU as a nurse tech (although I never did). Working as a nurse tech will help you get your foot in the door and teach you the routine of being in the ICU. As for anesthesia school, I probably wouldn't mention it- though that's just my personal opinion. Others on here might have different advice.

Good luck- I love working in the ICU. I can't imagine working anywhere else :)

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Dec 21, 2008

Do a summer externship or your final preceptorship in an ICU.

My ICU actually no longer hires new grads. Best to get as much experience as you can, including working as a nurse tech as well.

Although, even our one nurse tech didn't get hired as a new grad either. Times are tough, and hospitals are more and more unwilling to spend money on lenghty orientations.

NHGN · Dec 29, 2008

I suggest that you absolutely do NOT mention anything about CRNA schools. That was (and still is) my plan prior to starting in the SICU as a new grad, but I did not say a word about it. I did mention interest in grad school/further education when asked "where do you see yourself in 5 years" as I felt uncomfortable outright lying in the interview if I said "right here on the unit!".

I researched and researched possible interview questions on the web - mainly on Allnurses and on a CRNA site. What I hear was that if you outrightly mention CRNA school, it can be taken that your stay on the unit will be merely a stepping stone to anesthesia school (as it very well might be). But the hospital pays a ton to orient you, and your fellow ICU nurses put in lots of effort to get to know you, make sure they can count on you, etc.

Also, my interview questions were much more basic then I had planned (I had outlined the care/disease of the most acuite pts I had had in school): why do you want to be in SICU; where do you see yourself in 5 years; why do you want to be a RN -- that's it! I was told that the staff was able to see who should be here and who shouldn't by the job shadow, which was about 5 hours long (shadowed a staff RN). I made it a point to be extremely enthusiastic during my time.

kvsherry · Dec 30, 2008

I can not stress enough the importance of prior experience. A job as a nurse tech is almost always an in and a successful externship goes miles to impress.

As for CRNA school, I know others said "no" to that, but I think that managers are realistic nowadays that people don't set up camp for decades. If you mention CRNA school, it shows that you are motivated to advance your practice and can be an asset to them while you are there. But maybe just being generic and saying "grad school" would be better.

NHGN · Dec 30, 2008

Good point -- I was an ED tech for 1.5 years while in nursing school. I think one should definately get a tech/LNA position while in school, if possible. Besides looking good on your resume, I think you get a TON of experience that you just can't get in school. In fact, I think I learned much more in my tech position than I did in clinicals (and my program had a lot of clinical time), despite the fact that teching did not have RN activities. For me, the position was highly valuable in making me become comfortable talking with MDs and RNs and having a fast pace. Had I not worked in a critical care area, I am certain I would have been blown out of the water as a new grad and definately could not have kept my SICU position.

If it is too late for you to get a position (ie if you're graduating next month), perhaps shadowing RNs in critical care areas would be helpful. And if you find a unit manager who encourages CRNA school, shadowing CRNAs is a great idea too.

I do have to admit, when I interviewed at a different hospital, the unit manager sang the praises of their CRNA program. I kept my mouth shut despite this fact; though I was asked to join the unit, I do wonder if taking that course (mentioning CRNA...working on that unit...), would have stream-lined me into their CRNA program.

jmunrs2010 · Aug 11, 2009

I have a question about working as an ICU nurse tech before graduating from an undergrad program. I am graduating in May of '10 and want to work in the ICU so badly. This summer I have been working as a floating nurse assistant (tech same thing i guess) and I have floated to the ICU a few times to work 12 hour shifts. I fell in love with the environment and the close attention nurses paid to their patients due to the acuity and low patient: nurse ratio. I also will be completing a capstone or preceptorship this spring for class credit adn I hope to be placed in the ICU. The program is 2 months in duration which isn't long but hey its something. Anywhoo... are my few floats through the ICU and my 2 month preceptorship enough to make a competitive candidate in an interview for a new grad residency or internship. Offer up anything else I can do to make myself a competitive candidate and hopefully an ICU nurse.

tutored · Aug 11, 2009

I went into the ICU for my first nursing job out of school - it took me a half a year to get it, but I didn't want any other specialty....I learned how to make myself more marketable while I was looking - it costs a hospital (at least here in the northeast) approximately $40,000.00 to hire and train a new nurse for the ICU. I discovered all the courses a hospital must send a new hire to, and took them on my own on the outside. Find out what hospitals in your area have their internal courses open to outside nurses...if possible, take those courses at the most prestigious teaching institution you can afford and/or travel to...You'll need a substantial four-day basic critical care nursing course...BLS, and then take ACLS afterword...find a IV access class and take that.....take basic dysrhythmias course for regcognizing basic heart rhythms, and take 12-Lead EKG interpretation after that...believe me, you walk into a hospital looking for an ICU job with all that under your belt, you will look most favorable, and motivated, to a nurse manager! The whole downside to this is that this will cost you money. But it will help you become less of a liability to a potential hospital. Join the AACN, too, you can get a student rate before you're a full-blown critical care nurse. Put that on your application, too. Be prepared for an interview question, "why do you want to work in critical care?", and have an enthusiastic answer that doesnt' sound canned. If you really want the ICU, you should have no problem coming up with a response. But know this: Your first couple of years in the ICU will be an overwhelming, stomach-churning experience while you get your feet wet. Try very, very hard to keep your outward composure during your baptism-by-fire first year, because you will be watched to see if you can handle the pressure.

kvsherry · Aug 12, 2009

jmunrs2010-

My advice to you would be to speak to the nurse manager and see if you can leave the float pool and go into ICU full time. If not, the two month preceptorship/capstone would be a huge help. I would recommend doing that regardless of where you are working as a tech.

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Aug 13, 2009

I was lucky enough to spend my last 2 quarters in school doing clinicals & my role transition in a Surgical ICU. That was a wonderful experience, and helped me decide that ICU was where I wanted to be.

While still in my new grad RN Residency program, I asked to shadow in my employer's ICU (a different facility than my clinicals). I spent the majority of a shift there, and loved it. Shadowing let me get a "feel" for the unit, its patients, and the staff. It also let the staff get a feel for me. I interviewed for the ICU two days ago, and was just offered one of the openings. I start there Sunday night!

I thoroughly recommend shadowing, even if you haven't been able to do any clinical time in the ICU. You can make contacts (some of whom may very well be on your interview committee, as with my experience), and do your best to make a good impression. Ask decent questions, watch, and learn.

HeatherISU · Aug 21, 2009

I did my final practicum for school in the ICU that I work now. I just happened to mention it to my preceptor that I had interviewed, and I guess she went to talk to the NCMs. Must have been something good she said because I got the job before graduation! Sometimes it does pay to know people. Get your foot in the door somehow. The techs that work in the ICU know SO much, it amazes me. More than I knew as a student aide working the regular floors. And ICU tech job would definitely be an "IN" if you can find one.

bigdreamsstartinSF · Sep 10, 2009

I;m curious if only BSNs get the opportunity to do ICU straight out of school or do ADNs as well I ask because I plan to do ADN then an accelerated ADN to MSN program after at least a year or so in acute care. TIA