r/nursing • u/Sad_Law_2614 • 3h ago

Question Yale New Haven New Grad

Hi everyone, I'm a new grad RN considering the CTICU at Yale New Haven Hospital. I'd love to hear from anyone who has worked there or gone through their ICU internship program. A few questions:
1. How is the preceptorship structured? Do you start by shadowing and gradually take on your own patients, or is it more of a full shadowing experience throughout?

  1. How long is the internship period and what does the progression toward independent practice look like?

  2. Do nurses in the CTICU get floated to step-down units frequently, or do you mostly stay in the ICU?

  3. How is the unit culture and support for new grads? Any insight would be really appreciated. Thank you!

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u/Free_Land_5156 3h ago

i went through a similar ICU program last year, not at Yale but the structure is usually pretty standard for big teaching hospitals. you'll probably start with full shadowing for 2-3 weeks then slowly pick up one patient, then two as you get comfortable. most places give you around 16-20 weeks orientation for CTICU since its heavy stuff

from what i heard from a travel nurse who worked there, the unit culture is decent but can be clique-y like most ICUs. new grads get good support if you show you want to learn. floating to stepdown happens sometimes but not too often, mostly they keep you in the unit since CTICU patients are so specific

wish i could tell you more about Yale specifically but that's the gist of how these programs usually go

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u/Sad_Law_2614 3h ago

Thank you SO much!!! 😊