ICU vs CCU experience

Probably varies by program, but the program brochure from Georgetown University (well ranked program) as part of their admissions states "A minimun of one year of professional nursing experience in Critical Care (Surgical Intensive Care is preferred.) " And I have read somewhere else on allnurses that surgical intensive care is preferred by certain schools, but I don't recall which schools.

CCU: You will get very sick cardiac patients. Some on transvenous pacers, intra-aortic balloon pump, Post STEMI, cardiac angios, lots of vasopressors, antihypertensives, lots of IV drugs like betablockers, angiotensin inhibitors, etc.,

CVICU: Recovery of post hearts, AAAs, fempops (could be in CCU only too)--some areas have transplants, lots of drips, lots of fluid managements. My favorite area. Sometimes CCU and CVICU overlap.

I love CVICU the best because of the autonomy that comes with the area--especially if you have protocols to follow. It can be recipe/cookbook style recovery--but you will have days when things happen and patients end up on LVADS/BIVADS until transplantation is avail.

This area requires astute critical thinking, excellent math skills, as well as the ability to interpret and intervene STAT. This area is not for the weak nurse.

From what I have read, as I am interested in going to CRNA school as well, it varies from program to program what they require. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you'd want to get the specifics for the different programs you would be applying to because they require different things.

You should ask the different schools that you are interested in what their preference is. I know that we have had several nurses come from the CCU to the SICU in order to get more experence for CRNA school. They then stay a year or so and leave.