To Get The Job In Sicu

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Mar 10, 2008

Thread moved to MICU/SICU forum to encourage responses.

RNperdiem, RN · Mar 10, 2008

It depends on where you work.

In a large teaching hospital, there are often extensive orientation programs for nurses new to ICU, and they will take new graduates. I started ICU with a year of med-surg. My SICU preceptorship was 9 weeks long and included classroom teaching on ICU.

In smaller hospitals, there might not be those resources, so some experience is preferred.

Call your nurse recruiter at hospitals you are interested in. They can offer a wealth of information.

seanpdent, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP · Mar 10, 2008

these days a lot of ICU's have to hire new grads due to the staffing shortage, so having ANY experience as a nurse and not a GN is usually a good thing.

But of course their are exceptions.

Best of luck

Milenamilena · Mar 10, 2008

thanks guys, Thats helpfull information

i work in the large universty Hospital, but supposedly our director holds her nurses from transfering to another unit

eg. SICU, i tried, went from the interview,

the director was happy with me , and then she said that they have low cencus lately so they are not hiring, but the add was on for 2 months that they are hiring, and its gone now

RN1982 · Mar 11, 2008

I suggest a year of med/surg before ICU.

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Mar 12, 2008

I suggest a year of med/surg before ICU.

I don't.

Since the OP already has nursing experience I think she will do just fine in any ICU.

OP, if you really want ICU, and your hospital is holding out, then look for greener pastures. The problem is, most hospitals don't want to let go of good tele or med surg nurses. They need the staff! So you may wait for the ICU position a lot longer than you want to at your local facility.

Good luck!

RN1982 · Mar 12, 2008

I don't.
Since the OP already has nursing experience I think she will do just fine in any ICU.
OP, if you really want ICU, and your hospital is holding out, then look for greener pastures. The problem is, most hospitals don't want to let go of good tele or med surg nurses. They need the staff! So you may wait for the ICU position a lot longer than you want to at your local facility.
Good luck!

Opps wasn't paying attention, well, what you waiting for. Apply apply apply. I quit the hospital that I was working at for five years and went to a different health system that had more flexible shifts in the ICU. Yeah I rotate but not often. I work two months of days and a month of nights which was much better to me than straight nights. Just look around.