transfer to ICU unit

[JabRN17]

Hi Everyone,

I need advice/tips for getting myself into ICU nursing. I always wanted to be either ED or ICU RN and with time my longing to work in ICU and develop my nursing skills has evolved.

Let me give my background. I am an RN, BSN working since 2009. I have RN experience in urgent care ( 2 years), mother-baby( 6 years), and Medical-surgical (1+ years).

I applied in the one of hospital (on mother-baby unit) for ICU full-time position. HR after their interview and told me that they will forward my application to ICU director. After 3 -4 days I received email stating someone else has been chosen for the position. I am feeling very disappointed.

I really want to work in ICU and learn as well as utilize my critical thinking skills. I will appreciate some suggestions how to get a myself hooked in ICU. I will highly appreciate your advice .

Thanks

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Hi Everyone,

I need advice/tips for getting myself into ICU nursing. I always wanted to be either ED or ICU RN and with time my longing to work in ICU and develop my nursing skills has evolved.

Let me give my background. I am an RN, BSN working since 2009. I have RN experience in urgent care ( 2 years), mother-baby( 6 years), and Medical-surgical (1+ years).

I applied in the one of hospital (on mother-baby unit) for ICU full-time position. HR after their interview and told me that they will forward my application to ICU director. After 3 -4 days I received email stating someone else has been chosen for the position. I am feeling very disappointed.

I really want to work in ICU and learn as well as utilize my critical thinking skills. I will appreciate some suggestions how to get a myself hooked in ICU. I will highly appreciate your advice .

Thanks

Not getting the first ICU job you applied for may be disappointing, but it's not the end of the world. Just reapply. Volunteer for a hospital-wide committee and perhaps you'll meet some ICU nurses or even the ICU manager and can do some networking. Take an ACLS class, take a class in ECGs. Keep trying. The ICUs in large teaching hospitals are always looking for staff because so many people take ICU jobs just so they will be able to go to anesthesia school, and there is tremendous turnover.

[JabRN17]

Thanks Ruby Vee for your amazing advice. I am working tomorrow night and will definitely look into some committees that I can work with. I am also thinking of going and talking to ICU manager myself the following morning and see if I can impress her :).

[Spine_CRNA, BSN, RN]

Take ACLS. You don't need to be in critical care already to do this.

NETWORK! Call on your professional network and absolutely join committees as well as other extracurriculars like fundraising or whatever is going on at your hospital.

Once you network be direct in saying you want to work in critical care and if someone is hiring.

Redefine what it means to "apply a lot". I used to think 10 apps was good. When I left my last job I did 50 apps in a week and it returned tremendous activity on my end.

If you're job hunting, then update your LinkdIn. It gets looked at SO MUCH.

Keep on polishing yourself by doing community volunteer work, excellence programs in your hospital, get certifications in your specialty. Be charge nurse and preceptor.