What is the length of orientation in ICU?

[atlanta]

I just started my ICU internship... The intership is 6 months, including rotation to all critical care units and ER. It is two year contract. I really think that the rotations to other critical care units unnecessarily lengthen the time of the intership..

Although I can't change my job right now, I'm still curious what is the length of ICU orientation in other hospitals.. how long is the contract after completion of the internship? Do they make you go through formal critical care course or they just let you learn on the job? Do you get a sign on bonus?

[suzanne4, RN]

Orientation to one critical care area should be at least three months. Be extremely happy that they are cross-trianing you for the other units. You may not like the idea right now, but it will definitely be to your advantage down the road. A two year contract is the norm.

[Gigglesforall, BSN, RN]

I'm a new grad starting in ICU in Chicago. I've been on the unit for about 3 weeks now and my orientation is 90 days. There is no internship and no contract, as well as no formal critical care course either. We do have mini courses each week specific to critical care such as assessments, vents, EKG, ACLS, IVs, etc. The majority is strictly on the job training with a preceptor, which I must admit I'm learning a TON and already feel pretty comfortable considering I'm only 3 weeks into it! Time management is my biggest concern at the moment, as well as trusting my assessment skills. Good luck with your internship and have a blast in ER! I'm so jealous, ER is my passion and I hopefully will be there in a year or so!

[Geeg]

New grads beware of 2 yr contracts with bonuses attached. Read the fine print, if for some reason you leave before the two yrs, you are usually stuck paying the bonus back at very high and unfair interest rates. Please look out for yourselves.