Trying to get hired in ICU

[Meandra]

I have been working med-surge for 28 months. I became ACLS certified, and I've been persistently trying to get hired into the ICU. Rumor has it the hirer only likes to hire people who are already trained. Finally she said I could call back in a couple of months to request an interview with the rest of the staff there. I am afraid they will try to tell me to work IMC instead. What are reasons someone would rather work ICU instead of IMC, besides they get fewer patients? Any other tips for getting hired on? Thanks!

[deeDawntee, RN]

What is IMC?

And whatever that is, would it be a bridge to working ICU? If you worked there a certain amount of time, then could you work ICU? If so, it might be worth it, especially if it gave you some skills that you need.

[Meandra]

No, I don't want to work in IMC (intermediate care). They do everything ICU does, except for vents, but the nurses have 4 patients, instead of 2. I am 44 years old, and my body hurts when I have to run around too much. I just gotta find an acceptable way of selling myself as desiring ICU.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

If they really do everything that ICU does except vents, then why wouldn't you want to work there??

IMC is a step down, or Progressive care dept. Usually they take the stable downgraded ICU pts, who aren't quite ready for the floor yet (Cardizem gtts, etc)

[Meandra]

Because on IMC, the nurse gets 4 patients. In ICU, the nurse gets 2 patients.

[deeDawntee, RN]

How many patients do you get now in med surg? Perhaps it would be a good transitional post to take, or do you think you would get stuck there? If not, why don't you try a different hospital?

I don't know what else to tell you. It seems odd that they are not trying to promote from within to the ICU, instead of getting nurses from the outside who may have ICU experience but still need to learn your hospital's own policies and the 'way things work'.

It sounds really frustrating. I'm sorry you are going through this.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

Because on IMC, the nurse gets 4 patients. In ICU, the nurse gets 2 patients.

I've spent many of my days in the ICU on my feet constantly. 2 patients aren't easy.

Can you look into an ICU at a different hospital ?

[CVICURN2003]

Because on IMC, the nurse gets 4 patients. In ICU, the nurse gets 2 patients.

Some days I lift and run more with ONE busy sick, septic patient than I would with 4-5 med surg patients. My rear never hits the chair. ICU patients are usually total care, turning, bathing, toileting (with usually means turning and bathing) and usually either "dead weight" or pushing against you. Not to mention all of the abx and gtts that are continously hung, or the trips to CT, MRI that you have to go on because you have an ICU patient. So if your perception of ICU nursing is that is less physically demanding than a med-surg postion you are very wrong.

We have lots of "older" and "younger" nurses in our ICU. No matter which end of the spectrum you fall on most days your back hurts, your knees hurt and all of your body just hurts. The people that hurt the least IMO are the people that exercise reguarly (I would not be one of those people).

Just because we only have one or two patients does not make our job less physically hard. Maybe you will find the right fit for you and someone will have some good suggestions on an avenue of nursing that is less physically demanding. I don't think it is ICU.:uhoh3: All of the nurses I know on any floor or postion in my hospital work very hard physically and mentally wether it be 2 patients or 6 patients. Well, except for the ones who are not going to do ANYTHING:angryfire regardless of the acuity or load of their patients.

Good Luck I hope you find the right job for you.

[RNperdiem, RN]

You may have to look at all the ICU opportunities in your area, even a few beyond your area if you are willing to commute. Often teaching hospitals are equipped to train new nurses to ICU, so look there too.

I have worked med/surg, intermediate care and ICU. Intermediate care is the busiest of them all. Four patients still quite sick requiring high levels of care and monitoring who are awake, alert and wanting their needs met now makes for a busy workplace.