Make sure the hospital you are thinking about employment with has a rigorous orientation program for new ICU nurses. You should really have a Preceptor with you for no less than 12 weeks. The most important thing to remember is that you will never know everything but their will always be someone there to ask. It usually takes 9-12 months to feel more comfortable in your position and knowledge in an ICU.
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I believe any area of critical care is a valuable asset to a nurses career. Once you have obtained a good foundation in a orientation program with a good preceptor, it can prepare you to work in any avenue of nursing.
Make sure the hospital hiring you has a critical care orientation, classroom + preceptor. Even after 6-9 months training, then solo. Don’t be scared to work icu, it’s fun and very interesting!
Find a new grad program. There are a few In Florida. I am sure they are everywhere. We have one where I work
I believe that it is a good idea to obtain a solid foundation as a nurse in med-surg prior to getting into the critical care areas. I can tell you from my experience that I am 100 percent grateful for my experience as a med-surg nurse. Learning to prioritize is key in any field of nursing and you will get the best experience working in med-surg.
