Trying to get into the ICU but no luck as a new grad

Nurses General Nursing

Updated:   Published

best-way-get-into-icu-pcu-med-surg.jpg.5c0ec1460113012e0d7832b12dff7aed.jpg

Hello, I recently graduated and my goal at the moment is to land a job in the ICU. I have two job offers both from a nurse residency program. One being surgical PCU or Med-Surg. But if I accept the surgical PCU position I have a 2-year commitment and no commitment to Med-Surg. I am uneasy about the 2-year commitment. I have applied to ICU jobs but have not gotten any response. Any advice on what should I do or what steps should I take to get into the ICU?

What is your end goal? Why do you need to get in an ICU immediately after obtaining licensure sans experience? 

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med/Surg, ICU Stepdown.

I wouldn't want to be in the ICU right now = ( Some of the posts from new grads dealing with covid in ICUs are pretty sad and scary. Not to say Med/Surg and PCU aren't exploding with covid too, just that in ICU there are so many deaths and also painful, futile treatments that are hard to be a part of, plus dealing with families who are separated from their loved ones while they die. Maybe you are super strong but to me it sounds like an extra hard time to be a new grad in ICU (or an experienced nurse too...). But I may be grumpy coming off ten months in covid PCU with floating to ICU under team nursing LOL so take it with a grain of salt. Congrats on 2 job offers!! Good luck with whichever you decide.

4
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in 5 years ICU, 5 Behavioral Health, 15 Float Pool.

If youe like my friend who was a CNA last year who now works with me in the ICU you’ll have no problem, make sure your mom is the infection control nurse, your aunt is in charge  of the ER and your dad’s best friend is one of the ICU doctors ?

 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in BSN, RN, CVRN-BC.
On 12/25/2020 at 6:45 PM, guest1076655 said:

best-way-get-into-icu-pcu-med-surg.jpg.5c0ec1460113012e0d7832b12dff7aed.jpg

Hello, I recently graduated and my goal at the moment is to land a job in the ICU. I have two job offers both from a nurse residency program. One being surgical PCU or Med-Surg. But if I accept the surgical PCU position I have a 2-year commitment and no commitment to Med-Surg. I am uneasy about the 2-year commitment. I have applied to ICU jobs but have not gotten any response. Any advice on what should I do or what steps should I take to get into the ICU?

If you can't get into the ICU straight away which is not unusual then Telemetry is the best way to go.  Skill with cardiac patients is a valuable step up into ICU.  Since you don't have that choice PCU is best.  MedSurg skills don't translate as well into the ICU unless it is a surgical ICU.  Even then you will be behind the curve when it come to cardiac medication including potent drips and EKG interpretation.  In the higher acuity PCU you will be gaining more skills that will give you a step up in the ICU.  Two years may seem like a lot, but when you leave less time might make you seem like a potential job hopper.  If your only misgiving about PCU is the two year commitment then go PCU.  They are going to make a substantial invest in training you.  I don't think that 2 years is unreasonable.  Good luck in whichever you choose!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.

I graduated from nursing school in 2014 with hopes to get straight into ICU in order to get into anesthesia faster. I finished CRNA school this past fall and have been at it for three months. I was extremely lucky to be able to get straight into the ICU as a new grad. I think a big part of me being able to do so is the fact that I had done a Summer externship that previous Summer so the ICU knew my face and name. Despite this, I would be lying if I said it was an easy transition from nursing student to ICU nurse. There were many tears shed during the orientation process and several times I wanted to give up and thought I wasn’t going to make it (this was a level one trauma center so I was getting the sickest of the sick). It wouldn’t be a bad idea starting in PCU or med surge because of how difficult it is going to ICU right off the bat. I spent four years in that ICU before going to anesthesia school and I’m extremely grateful for my experience. Good luck with whatever path you take! 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

When I was a new nurse with 3 years experience in an LTACH, I was told I didn't have enough experience for a new grad level ICU training job. It took me 10 more years to be able to get into ICU. I wish I had the option to lock in for 2 years. It would've saved me time.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EM.

In my experience, hospitals that require 2 year contracts have often experienced high turnover for a reason--low pay, poor working conditions, toxic culture. If you lean toward PCU, make sure you 'interview' some of the longer serving nurses on that unit. Especially, ask to speak with the longest serving and the newest staff.

Good luck and congrats!

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×

What happens if you break the contract? Just take the job you can get now. After 1-2 years the whole world opens up career wise 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU RN.

Graduated a year ago - if your willing to relocate there are hospitals that will hire you right into the ICU setting! (Mine does) Don’t settle unless you want to - two years can seem like an eternity if your not enjoying your work! 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in 5 years ICU, 5 Behavioral Health, 15 Float Pool.

You have no right to work in the ICU, your schooling is meaningless (well kind of) you should need to start on a nursing home , go to sub accuse, med-surge, PCU, then ICU in a 

5~7 year span, sorry for the news, but you need experience, real experience! I’ve been a RN for 25 years and have my masters, I’m gonna retire as CRNA, but I’m still in the ICU!!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in 5 years ICU, 5 Behavioral Health, 15 Float Pool.

By the way, that comment was a joke, I personally think ICU is pretty easy, that’s why you should work med-surge first, but you do wish you have to and need to!

“You have no right to work in the ICU, your schooling is meaningless (well kind of) you should need to start on a nursing home , go to sub accuse, med-surge, PCU, then ICU in a 

5~7 year span, sorry for the news, but you need experience, real experience! I’ve been a RN for 25 years and have my masters, I’m gonna retire as CRNA, but I’m still in the ICU!”

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
17 hours ago, lcc0101 said:

You have no right to work in the ICU, your schooling is meaningless (well kind of) you should need to start on a nursing home , go to sub accuse, med-surge, PCU, then ICU in a 

5~7 year span, sorry for the news, but you need experience, real experience! I’ve been a RN for 25 years and have my masters, I’m gonna retire as CRNA, but I’m still in the ICU!!

How will you retire as a CRNA?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment