I want to become an ICU nurse?

Question

What can I do to prepare and be accepted in interview? I want to go directly to ICU after obtaining RN

Answer 1

If you are in the United states it is really hard to find an ICU that will take on a new grad. There are some that will but it will be a challenge. There is a lot of medical drips,drugs, treatments and even lingo that regular Med/Surg RNs are not familiar with. You owe it to yourself to have at least a year of med/surg but if you decide that you do not want it then you will have to take an approved critical care class/ekg class that most facilities provide. If yours does not then you find one. You will be lost without it. Then you will want to be certified in BLS, ACLS and also PALS if you are working with pediatrics. Board certification as a CCRN can wait until you have more experience and knowledge.Good luck. Let me know if I can help.

Answer 2

Look for an ICU internship at your local hospitals. One of the (few) good things about the current nursing shortage is that hospitals are often willing to take on new graduate nurses and train them in specialty areas. An internship typically pairs you with an experienced RN (a preceptor) who helps train you. Really good internships also provide some additional education that pertains directly to what you are doing in the ICU - hemodynamic monitoring, medications, etc. You may have only 1-2 patients in the ICU, but they are VERY sick and are often on multiple medications and being monitored with complex equipment. Be aware that not all hospitals in all areas are this progressive. Many areas of the country still suffer under the old paradigm of "you have to do your 2 years in med-surg before we will even consider you for a critical care unit". While I respect this view, it is outdated, and 2 years on a med-surg floor, while it will increase your expertise overall, will not give you what you need to function well in a technology heavy area like ICU. Start networking. Talk to every RN you know - someone out there knows an ICU nurse who can perhaps help you out! Your professors are also a good source of info. Contact your local hospitals and find out if they offer ICU internships. By the way, I did travel nursing and it is great pay and wonderful experience. However, be aware that as a traveler, you are expected to "hit the ground running" with little guidance or help. Get AT LEAST 2 years under your belt before you try it.

Answer 3

I am an RN with 15+ years experience. I am seeing a trend in most hospitals related to increased patinet safety. The majority of hospitals do not allow new nurses into ICU, but require they have at minimum one year experience in a med- surg area. I have seen many nurse go straight into a specialty area and fail because they did not have the skill set to be successful.

I would be very careful of any hospital willing to accept a nurse with zero experience into the most acute setting of the hospital.
Please do your self the favor of atleast one year in a med surg or step down unit.
Good luck with boards!!

Answer 4

Good luck