Where should I go if I want to start in the ICU as a new grad?

[firefly101]

Hey everyone! I will be graduating this May with a BSN in MN and I REALLY want to start off in the ICU. I've shadowed different ICUs and have picked the nurses brains so many times. I really think that it is for me. I know that it is harder to obtain a position in the ICU as a new grad (especially in this economy), but I am willing to relocate and start off part time. My only preference would be to limit my search to compact states (so that I just have to get one extra license on top of my MN one and can apply to 24 other states), but maybe also Cali :) So my question is: are there states that are more likely to hire new grads in the ICU?

[Nurse_]

If you want to work in California as a new grad, you'll have to enter as a RN-new grad residencies. Majority of the big hospitals have implemented these types of programs because it increases retention of nurses.

Most hospitals have a summer and winter programs.

[tigerRN2013]

Louisiana hires new grads into ICUs

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Don't move to Louisiana without a job unless you have a burning desire to live in Louisiana! Try applying to large, inner city teaching hospitals in every city you'd consider living in. You'll probably have to pay for your own travel expenses to come and interview, but those are the most likely places to get jobs.

[firefly101]

if you live out of state will they really make you drive/ travel for an interview? i would hope they'd conduct a phone or Skype interview in that case... sounds like a very expensive trip just for an interview, especially for a broke new grad .... i suppose that would demonstrate just how much i want it though, lol

[propofool58]

Like the above posters have suggested, look into the major teaching facilities. When I worked in one of the ICUs at Mayo Clinic-Rochester, half of the new-hires during my time there were new grads. Good luck!

[propofool58]

Oh, and as far as interviewing, some facilities have cut costs and will desire a skype interview, whereas some desire a face-to-face interview; I've been lucky and the face-to-face interviews in which I've participated in, the hospital has reimbursed me for. Just depends....

[Ladyt03]

I heard that the residency programs are very good. You're almost guaranteed a job when you're done because it's like thy're training and molding you to be the employee they want. So look into them

[inthecosmos, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

It may also benefit you if you can start off in a different sector and work your way up. Sometimes, it's better to get experience in other areas so that you can better understand those in ICU. If you can't find any ICU positions, try beginning with the ER, and work from there.

Good luck!

[Cuddleswithpuddles]

I started off as a RN new grad in a stepdown unit and that was really ideal for me. It allowed me to learn time management, the "flow" of the hospital, get to know the staff etc. without having to deal with truly critical patients. The staff also floated to the critical care units so that provided me with great experience at a manageable pace. After a year and a half, I transferred to ICU, willingly cut my orientation to only two days because we were short-staffed but never had a problem (as far as I have been informed by preceptors and management, of course!). My stepdown experience provided a really solid foundation.

[Sand_Dollar, BSN]

I just stared in a residency program in Oregon. On the west coast you can have up to a year experience and still be accepted into a program (in CO, you have to be fresh from school). You have to sign an agreement to work for them for 2 years after the residency is over. I was hired as a Critical Care Float on days with my 'home' unit as CVCU. I can't believe how lucky I am in that not only do I get to work in one ICU, but all of them...and on days!! I think I'll start playing the powerball next.

[rjlan7]

Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood, California hires new grads into the MICU- that's how I got started.