It depends on the hospital. Some places require you to have 1-2 years of med-surg experience, others will let you right in. It’s a popular nursing specialty.
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 While I respect this view, it is outdated, and 2 years on a med-surg floor, while it will increase your expertise overall, will not give you what you need to function well in a technology heavy area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.
It depends on the hospital. Some places require you to have 1-2 years of med-surg experience, others will let you right in. It’s a popular nursing specialty.
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.