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I interviewed and was offered a GN position in the CCU at a large, urban, teaching hospital. This is a residency program where you work for around 3 months all over the hospital with a preceptor and you have classroom time and then the actual CCU orientation begins for also 3 months. I am floored about this whole thing because up until meeting the recruiter at my school I was pretty sure I wanted to do peds. However, I love this hospital and really want to work with the population and can't believe that I can have this kind of opportunity as well. So I am thrilled but scared as things seem to be changing fast. I do have an interview at a freestanding peds hospital tomorrow in the cardiac unit as well. I don't know - I guees I am scared because I feel like I haven't learned a darn thing in school however it really seems like this hospital wants to give you the tools to be successful. Honestly I will probably doubt myself wherever I go because I really don't have a clue and probably won't for a long time. :)

Am I nuts for even wanting the stress of a CCU program fresh out of school? Sorry for the long post.

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Specializes in CVICU, ICU, RRT, CVPACU.

Go for it. Critical Care (In my opinion) is the best experience you can get. If you can work in CVICU/ICU, you can work anywhere. You will never stop learning and with that type of experience you can pretty much get a job wherever you want down the road.

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Specializes in Critical Care; ICU; CCU.

I was fortunate enough to get a critical care internship as a new graduate nurse and it was thorough as the one you are considering is. I feel that I was very well trained, but I will warn you that when I was initially on my own I realized there was still so much to learn! I agree that the learning will never stop and having some fear shows that you realize what you are getting into, which means you will do great! I have been a nurse 11 years now, still can't imagine working anywhere but critical care.

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

Wow, it sounds like an awesome opportunity! I have seen new grads do well and succeed in the ICU, but let me tell you that you will probably face some difficulties that you may have not considered. Occasionally, more "experienced" nurses feel that new grads have no place in the ICU and you will most likely run into that attitude. When I started in the ICU, two new grads started as well and by far both of them said that the worst part was facing that attitude. And, I want you to know that I work in a fairly friendly workplace.... so please be prepared for that possibility.

Also, I would strongly suggest that you get your CCRN as soon as you can. It will really help you solidify your knowledge and your confidence. that is what I used it for and it really helped me and I wasn't even a new grad.

Good luck to you and let us know what you decide!!

:yeah::yeah::yeah: you can do it!!!

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Specializes in ICU/CCU.

I, too, got into ICU/CCU right out of school, and I've never regretted it! Like others have said, you never stop learning and you can take the experience anywhere. Good luck in whatever you choose to do!!!

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Specializes in Cardiac Surgical Recovery, Critical Care.

I went straight to Critical Care nearly 30 years ago when the training/orientation was much less and I never regretted it. Your concerns and doubts are natural and healthy, they will motivate you to learn as much as possible and to always keep learning. Nurses who lose that underlying drive to learn as much as possible for the welfare of their patients, who become complacent in their knowledge base, are not good, they're dangerous. The initial stress level of practicing in Critical Care does diminish over time as your experience base increases along with your practical and applied knowledge. I have work with many nurses "new" to Critical Care over the years and have found it is the motivation and effort that the individual puts into to the job that makes the difference. It is sometimes easier to work with new grads who don't have to unlearn or re-adapt patterns of thinking and intervention that nurses from other areas have to do. It is also quite stressful for an experienced nurse to come to Critical Care and be thrust into an environment that she/he cannot function in as competently and effectively as they did in their previous one. It rocks their professional self-confidence pretty hard and can be an even greater stressor than starting from the ground up as you are contemplating. Godd luck as to you as you start your career.

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I accepted the position today and I am really excited. Thank you all for your support it really made a difference. :) I will be visiting and asking questions often I am sure.

Jen

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Specializes in CCRN-CMC-CSC: CTICU, MICU, SICU, TRAUMA.

Congratulations!!!!!

:ancong!:

I started in CVICU right out of school... I am now, in less than two years, the only CCRN-CMC-CSC in my hospital. It can be done...if you are up for the challenge... which you seem to be. Good for you!!!

If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to contact me... I'll help you in any way I can...

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Congratulations!!!!!

:ancong!:

I started in CVICU right out of school... I am now, in less than two years, the only CCRN-CMC-CSC in my hospital. It can be done...if you are up for the challenge... which you seem to be. Good for you!!!

If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to contact me... I'll help you in any way I can...

Thanks so much I am really excited. Terrified but excited. :)

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