[drosck]

Where do the burn unit nurses get their education? Do you have a specialization or are you required to work on a specific floor before transferring to the burn unit? etc. Thanks for your help!

[BertRN07]

I am a new grad & was just hired into the Burn ICU/Burn Unit... No special training needed beforehand, but I had a Burn Theory Class & was given lots of materials about Burns... Will take ABLS (Advanced Burn Life Support) in December. We have a nurse educator specific to our floor & who specializes in burns that handles education for all staff, including new hires... Hope this helps...

[JennieJenRN]

Hi,
I live in Michigan and have worked in a burn unit. Most of the time you start on the burn step down and after a year you move to the ICU. Don't worry they will teach you and always ask questions!

[UMichSCN07]

I just hired into a Trauma/Burn ICU as a new grad, but I did have extensive previous experience in EMS. I got sent to ABLS as part of maintaining the unit's ABA accreditation, and the hospital has a 2-week critical care orientation for all new hires to the ICUs. Other than that, I had no particular classwork as a prerequisite and no prerequisite work experience, although I did spend about 4 weeks on the burn acute care unit, which is a concurrent part of the ICU at my facility. Any further education is at the discretion of the individual nurse, although I'm told that PALS, TNCC, CCRN, etc. are encouraged, but not required.

Mike in Michigan

[drosck]

Is there a pay difference for burn unit nurses versus any other RN?? And what kind of benefits do they get...or is it the same for all RNs in a hospital setting??

[hdigh]

No difference that I know of - I'm a new grad starting in a Burn ICU and, aside from shift/weekend differentials, my pay and benefits are the same as other new grads at my hospital.