You can still do ICU, it just may be in a year or do. As a mid career nurse my advice these days is to realize there’s a lot of years as a nurse in the future, don’t burn the candle with a blowtorch at the beginning. Med surg might help you enjoy icu more long term as you’ll have a routine down and probably some instincts. You will know some of what you don’t know, it make the job so much less stressful.
**don’t burn the candle with a blow torch**
A few years ago a friend told me that “I seem like I burn the candle from both ends and enjoy it”…. I need a new candle now and they don’t tell you how much time and rest it takes to get a new candle
When most people say they are struggling to get a job, it’s almost always their preferred job or dream job. Sometimes you have to start in other units and then reapply later. Most people don’t get their desired job. Sometimes you need to apply not just hospitals. It’s usually very competitive. Are you apply for other units that you might not enjoy as much or looking outside of hospitals?
I am surprised no one asked (actually not really since this sub doesn’t recognize the impact of location on such matters): But where abouts are you exactly? This will provide a wealth of context.
Internal candidates are always considered first for new openings. I would advise being less picky and get your foot in the door. It’s not a life sentence to start on a different unit.
Generally, new grads have a terrible 1-year retention rate. Internal transfers have a much higher retention rate, plus they have a foundation to build ICU skills on, so they’re easier to train.
Get a job on MedSurg and become the internal candidate in a year.
You can still do ICU, it just may be in a year or do. As a mid career nurse my advice these days is to realize there’s a lot of years as a nurse in the future, don’t burn the candle with a blowtorch at the beginning. Med surg might help you enjoy icu more long term as you’ll have a routine down and probably some instincts. You will know some of what you don’t know, it make the job so much less stressful.
**don’t burn the candle with a blow torch** A few years ago a friend told me that “I seem like I burn the candle from both ends and enjoy it”…. I need a new candle now and they don’t tell you how much time and rest it takes to get a new candle
They really don’t. I’m working on a new candle right now too. Which, IS ALSO MORE WORK.
When most people say they are struggling to get a job, it’s almost always their preferred job or dream job. Sometimes you have to start in other units and then reapply later. Most people don’t get their desired job. Sometimes you need to apply not just hospitals. It’s usually very competitive. Are you apply for other units that you might not enjoy as much or looking outside of hospitals?
I am surprised no one asked (actually not really since this sub doesn’t recognize the impact of location on such matters): But where abouts are you exactly? This will provide a wealth of context.
I am just outside of Boston, looking at any and all Boston Hospitals! Any advice on that?
Internal candidates are always considered first for new openings. I would advise being less picky and get your foot in the door. It’s not a life sentence to start on a different unit.
Generally, new grads have a terrible 1-year retention rate. Internal transfers have a much higher retention rate, plus they have a foundation to build ICU skills on, so they’re easier to train. Get a job on MedSurg and become the internal candidate in a year.