by marksimmons

I'm looking for some advice from experience critical care nurses. I'd like to become a CCN, but have been out of acute care for a long time (10 years). I've worked in mostly outpatient settings lately, but am craving the challenge of learning about and working in critical/intensive care. I've signed up for various classes: telemetry monitoring, IV therapy refresher, ACLS, and am thinking of a critical care training program (not a paid position, but an 10 day course at American Health Education). Can anyone give me advice on the best way to get this goal? Would it be important to go back to med-surg for a few months to awaken memories/skills of acute care settings, or would several months of coursework give me enough experience to hopefully find work on a telemetry unit or similar? I know it's challenging in this current market to do much of anything, but I'm determined to start a new path in nursing.
Thanks for any input any of you might have.
Mark

Re: CCN Wanna be

Mark,
I wouldn't waste my time with tele or stepdown. That's just me. You should do what you would feel most comfortable doing. Some folks jump right into the unit and adjust quickly and some take some time. It's a totally different mindset and way of practicing. Good luck!

Re: CCN Wanna be

Thanks for the advice. I kind of just want to get into it. Wht do you think would be good prep? Is a critical care training program enough?
mark

Re: CCN Wanna be

I'm a new grad just starting in critical care and its tough but I'm learning at such a fast pace I know I can do it. I think that an experienced nurse should be able to handle it if its really what they want to do. Just make sure the orientation is going to be a good fit and fosters learning for someone who is inexperienced in critical care. Also, I've been studying/reading on my off time to make up ground, if you will. It can be done and has been done many times.

Re: CCN Wanna be

Thanks for your encouragement. I sort of wish I had done ICU right out of school but I don't regret all the other experience I've had.
Mark