by palmettogirl

I graduated in December and started my job on a med/surg type floor. (A lot of neuro, but we get general medical pt.s too sometimes). I really wanted to work on a cardiac floor, but it was so hard to get a job where I live that I finally took the job I have now b/c I needed it, and I figured I would get good experience. I'm learning and becoming a little more confident. (I still feel sick on my way to work sometimes, but hopefully that'll go away someday). I have to stay where I'm at for a year and would hopefully like to work in a CCU at my hospital or another one close by if I can. I guess my question is, Do you nurses, who have worked on a med/surg floor before, like working in the CCU/CVICU better? If so, why do you like it better. Is having 1-2 really sick patients sometimes less stressful than having 6-7 regular patients? (This many pt.s kills me sometimes, but I understand that the pt.s in CCU are sicker so maybe it evens out...I don't know). I did rotations in the CCU and CVICU during clinical and I liked them both a lot, but I know its different when you're the actual nurse. Also, have any of you nurses been really nervous to go into work (even when you worked on a med/surg floor?) and overcome that to love working in a critical care setting? Just needing some info from other nurses. Thanks!

Re: So, Can I do this someday?

I went to the open heart unit after working med/surg & telemetry for years. I never regretted it. I actually felt safer with my critical care patients (usually), because there were only 1 or 2, and they were more heavily monitored. I got burned out in med/surg, which happens quite often.

Med/surg can definitely be one of the more challenging areas to work in, because you have to fine-balance that heavy patient load, and 1 event with 1 patient on your team can trash any other plans you have with your other patients.

I got treated with more respect by others on the health care team in critical care, too- which stinks, as med/surg nurses are often the backbone of the hospital. Many hospitals ask way too much of them.

I am a firm believer that if you can work in med/surg, you can do just about anything.

Re: So, Can I do this someday?

I took a job on a cardiac surgical intermediate floor right out of nursing school and totally had that same sick feeling on the way to work. I would literally throw up on my way to work this went on for several months (but only when i worked day shifts and not nights). I got comfortable after the first few months - I think part of the problem was the person I oriented with. I've been there now for two years and have two weeks left before I start in CCU. I think you can defintely do it - it might be better to start out on an intermediate floor if you have no tele or rhythm experience.

Re: So, Can I do this someday?

palmettogirl,

I also graduated in December, and went to the CVICU right after school. I knew it would be hard, but we did a rotation there as students and I LOVED it, begged for a job, and I got it.

Some nights I still feel sick going to work... so you are not alone! Although I am not getting fresh open heart patients yet (that happens at the one year mark), I still feel overwhelmed at work some nights... I guess most nights. However, I feel like I'm learning like crazy... from the drips to what to do in different situations. I have completely grown in the environment, and quite honestly I think it's hard not to.

I know the way of thinking was for new grads and "inexperienced" RNs to start on a med/surg floor to learn organizational skills, etc. We are getting cancelled so often now that I have been floating to medical floors and the medical ICU. I think all areas are different, and you will take the skills you learned on med/surg to wherever you go. I think the ICU just gives me more confidence, because I feel as if I am competent enough to man any situation. It's hard for me to say if I would feel that on another floor or unit, because this is what I am used to. Just know that the ICU is challenging, but you are never alone in a situation. I am constantly asking questions and having people help me with tons of stuff... I never feel like I am stuck doing something by myself. I think it's really important that you not only find a place where you feel comfortable in your nursing skills, but also with the people you work with. That's what makes it all worthwhile ya know?

But go for it! I can tell you that from my floating experiences to other units, I definitly prefer the ICU. It keeps you on your toes and you are constantly learning. You can do it!

Re: So, Can I do this someday?

Yup, still sick sometimes! But now it's usually only after I've been off for more than like 5 days or if I had a really crappy shift the last time I worked.

Re: So, Can I do this someday?

I started as a new grad in the CVICU. I had previously worked many years as a tech, with experience in a nursing home, SICU, and ER.

I personally love taking care of the really sick patients. If they're awake, alert, and talking, that equals boring for me

I'd personally be more stressed out caring for 6 walky-talky types than for 2 critically ill patients. However, the CVICU can be a very stressful place. There are so many different parameters to track. For example, last night I had a patient with a fresh post-op LVAD, on a balloon pump, had a Swan, on the ventilator, pressors, getting blood products, etc. It took a good 15 minutes every hour just to chart numbers and what not... but I love that sort of thing.

Re: So, Can I do this someday?

I get that sick feeling fairly often as a new grad in ICU/CVICU. I start each day by taking bedside report, verifying my lines and all due meds, reviewing labs/diagnostics/documentation, and taking a deep breath and saying to myself, "You can do this!" All in that order.