How do I switch specialties? I’ve been in ICU for 2 years and want to change. How do I set up shadowing opportunities if I don’t want to work at the hospital I’m at in a different department?

IC
ICU nurses are in high demand. I would think long and hard before leaving the ICU. If you want to travel you could make 5K a week maybe more.

I would talk to your nurse recruiter. I worked in the ICU for 3 years mainly nights. Talked to my nurse recruiter and she steered me towards interventional radiology, since I wanted day shifts. I’ve love it. Been there for 11 years. They are good resources even if you don’t stay in that hospital ask for shadow experiences to check out different departments.

You can do a few things.
1. When I worked in RICU I often floated to acute care units...different speciality depending on the need
2. Take a short term travel assignment. I did one years ago in the state where I was living as a float nurse.
3. Work through an agency. Check out the agency before working for them. A few have high standards giving you positive exposure.
4. Most importantly, in The intensive care settings you have access to several monitoring devises . Outside the units you depend more on you skills of observation. Listening being key. Each time you walk into a patients room for task or answering a call light you need to be assessing. Color, respiration, voice tone, eyes, interaction non verbal signs of pain and or hange in mood.
5. Attend educational programs in areas you think you might be interested in.
6. Always get orientation program in writing so that you have a successful experience. Speak up if you are not receiving a positive experience.

You can switch anytime. Places are always willing to train in my experience. If you know someone who works at another facility ask for their managers info. To discuss the option. I know places in my area do this occasionally.

Go to Anesthesia school CRNA makes a lot of money