Hello, I am a new grad and very passionate about the critical care unit. I would like to know what would I need to be able to get into critical care as a new nurse?
Find a hospital that has a fellowship for new grad nurses. Usually large teaching hospitals will be your best option.
Hi I know they are placing graduate nurses in ICU residency in most hospitals. I think that would be best because you will get MICU SICU CVICU and Trauma ICU experience. Most start every June and January, start applying. Blessings on your journey
If you're in a new grad residency program you can let them know that that's the path that you want and generally they will work to help you gain experience there. With the increased need for nurses everywhere, you probably can get, or do your residency there but you have to be your own advocate and ask for those experiences
Hi,
Find a mentor advocate in the local hospital/unit.
Offer to devote some of your time to shadowing if possible or acceptable.
It is hard to prove what you have to offer when you do not have a chance.
Remember-a mentor can be a physician that you have worked with on other units or in different role.
Good luck!
I think your best bet for critical care and being successful without feeling burnt out immediately or like you are underwater would be to find a New Grad Nurse Residency program. They will train you in your specialty and should provide you with adequate support to not fail.
You don't indicate where you live but simply apply for open positions that don't stipulate you must have any certain amount of experience.
Experience would be the best advice I can give. Critical care is a great environment for you to develop further on the knowledge base you already have but also to further develop pre existing knowledge to enable you to flourish into an advanced practitioner
First of all, you need to look into the areas and local hospitals. Many critical care units are experiencing critical short staffs, so getting into a ICU residency program is not as difficult as it used to be. However, many of the new grads got hired in my unit, Pediatic ICU, have some type of work experience already, so RN is their 2nd career. Second, I will be honest with you that ICU is very stressful. Even the planned ratio is each nurse deals with no more than 2 crital care patients, you might get 3rd patients in the middle of the night who needs all the bedside procedures, such as intubation, Arterial-Line insertion and central line insertion etc. Teamwork is very important in the ICUs, you need to be willing to watch your coworkers' patients and they need to be willing to help you out. Lastly, brace yourself because many patients die in the ICU.
Start in med surge, take advance classes, and challenge your skillset and grow and learn as much as you can. Give yourself at least a year! Then apply & go for it!
First, you could use some good solid experience. I'd advise a path to Critical Care starts with a) 2 - 3 years of strong Med/Surg experience, b) 2 - 3 years on a telemetry or post-interventional unit, c.) and a Respiratory Specialty unit. Perhaps not a good idea to rush into the glamour and drama (and maybe "elitism") perceived about Critical Care. Consider your patients.
Good Luck.
Hello,
I work at a level one trauma hospital in Seattle, WA. You will need acute/trauma care experience to work at most critical care units. Also, have your ALS certification ( advanced life support). Your best bet is to first start working on an acute care unit then apply for a critical care unit position. You need the clinical skills set & critical thinking experience to succeed! I am in the process of starting an online coaching website. My contact information is [email protected] and my name is Asmeret Tesfalem. Feel free to email me questions.
Take ACLS and get certified and find a RESIDENCY PROGRAM in critical care. The typical work flow of an Emergency Department vs. ICU vs. PACU nurse (just as an example) is very different. Which appeals to you most and why?
It really depends on the individual hospital. Most hospitals would prefer someone with Med-Surg and/or Telemetry experience, however, some hospitals are so short staffed they would consider a new grad.
Usually one year med surg. ACLS and PALS may also be needed. The unit will teach you the rest.
Be Born in the Phillipines
Do yourself a favor and work on a med surg floor for at least a year. You have a lot to learn! I worked in an ICU with a new grad program and the new grads really struggled. The first year of nursing is the hardest year and learning your basics first will make you a better ICU nurse in the future.
