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

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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?

Specializes in Gas, ICU, ACLS, PALS, BLS.

I know for sure that The Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Georgetown University hire new grads in their ICU's. They both give a good orientation with a preceptor. When I began working at CCF as a new grad one good thing is that they didn't make you sign a 2 year contract like many facilities do. In fact, I believe CCF prefers to hire new grads so that they can be trained as CCF wants them trained and not bring in what they thought were "bad habits" from other hospitals.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

There is no one state that will hire a new grad. This varies facility to facility. The west coast is more into these residencies programs. Not all places ahve them. All you can do is apply, apply, apply. Not all facilities will skype interview for entry positions...they don'

t have to with hundreds of applicants for each position.

There is no nursing shortage! Many states have unemployment of new grads at an all time high. California is about 47% right now.

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Specializes in CCU, CVICU, Cath Lab, MICU, Endoscopy..

MN you don't want to apply to Mayo clinic internship program? I believe they have a very thorough program and very employee centered.....I attended their cardiovascular program learned a whole lot years ago :-)

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i did rotations at mayo recently and they're still on a hiring freeze. i will apply but i don't think my chances of landing a job there are that great. there are other critical care residencies in state (St Cloud, Regions, ect) but i imagine that they are also competitive, so i just wanna be aware of others out of state.

thank you for the suggested places everyone! this is very helpful :)

and please no "there is no nursing shortage!!!" comments. i know people are trying to be helpful and open my eyes to the "reality" but that is not encouraging for me. will i take a position in LTC in the middle of nowhere if I can't find anything else? of course! until i have exhausted all of my other options i am applying to every single ICU position in the US that will consider a new grad.

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Specializes in ICU.

About half of my graduating class in NC started in NC ICUs... but the competition was still pretty fierce. I had to move to get an ICU job right out of school.

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Specializes in CCU, CVICU, Cath Lab, MICU, Endoscopy..
i did rotations at mayo recently and they're still on a hiring freeze. i will apply but i don't think my chances of landing a job there are that great. there are other critical care residencies in state (St Cloud, Regions, ect) but i imagine that they are also competitive, so i just wanna be aware of others out of state.

thank you for the suggested places everyone! this is very helpful :)

and please no "there is no nursing shortage!!!" comments. i know people are trying to be helpful and open my eyes to the "reality" but that is not encouraging for me. will i take a position in LTC in the middle of nowhere if I can't find anything else? of course! until i have exhausted all of my other options i am applying to every single ICU position in the US that will consider a new grad.

Hope this helps...

http://www.nurseresidencyprograms.com/category/mid-atlantic/maryland/

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wonderful! this is a great link! thank you eCCU :)

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Specializes in CCU, CVICU, Cath Lab, MICU, Endoscopy..

Glad to be of some help and wishing you the best in finding a good position :-)

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