Need opinions, thinking of working in the ICU

[cardiacrocks, BSN, RN]

Hi all, thank you for reading this and please give me your honest opinion. I have been an RN for almost 2 years. I currently work on a very busy step-down cardiac floor. We do cardiac drips, heart cath, blah, blah, blah. I have always wanted to become an ICU nurse, I'd love to take care of all the Post CABG patients. I didn't want to start out in ICU because I wanted to obtain my med-surg skills first. I'm organized, quick on my feet, good critical thinking skills, etc. I love my job, I just need more of a challenge and I'm hoping to start advanced cardiac NP school this fall, or at least next year. Any advice would be helpful. I was thinking of shadowing in the ICU on my days off, I'd like to see what it is like first. I'm scared, I've heard good and bad things about ICU. However, on my floor people don't like floating to because of the intense cardiac patients. I feel quite comfortable on my floor, I have established a good foundation. I feel it's time to move on. I'm getting sick of taking care of 6 patients at once, we lost at least half of our staff that had over 20 years experience. Now I feel it's time for me to move. What are some of your thoughts?

[Biffbradford]

Nothing ventured ... nothing gained. Update your resume and try talking to the ICU manager where you work. It's often WHO you know that opens doors for you.

[dah doh, BSN, RN]

Give the ICU a try!

[CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Your idea of shadowing is an excellent one. Contact the ICU's manager, expressing your interest.

Good luck!

[tswim]

So, did you apply yet?

If you can handle 6 or even 5 patients on a cardiac-step down, you'll have no problem in ICU.

Sounds like you're a great candidate... I say, go for it!

[cardiacrocks, BSN, RN]

I haven't applied yet, I am going to shadow next month. I have to wait until May to apply because of my contract on my current floor. My issue is, I'm planning on starting grad school full-time in the fall and I am concerned it may be too difficult if I start a new position. What are your thoughts? My current floor is insanely busy, I usually have 5 pts. Yesterday was terrible, I'm so sick of it already, I've had enough.

[tswim]

If you could possibly change your grad program to part-time or delay a semester or two, then that might make moving into ICU more doable. ICU experience will only help you become a stronger nurse in your current and future roles. But you'll have to decide how much stress you'll be able to handle as you try to balance work, school, and family/personal life.

[SuzieF]

If you could possibly change your grad program to part-time or delay a semester or two then that might make moving into ICU more doable. ICU experience will only help you become a stronger nurse in your current and future roles. But you'll have to decide how much stress you'll be able to handle as you try to balance work, school, and family/personal life.[/quote']

I agree with tswim; it is sound advice. Also, just having solid cardiac experience will help where ever you go. Best wishes to you.