[KARENRNBOSTON]

Hi All,

[BBFRN]

I went to CCU after being in Med/Surg & TCU for 10 years. Let me tell you, CCU is a whole different animal- but in my orientation, I am able to focus more on the new things I need to learn, because I have a comfort level with typical nursing tasks. I am still being precepted, BTW. This is week 4 for me.

I have had to make the transition from being an expert to a novice- which can be weird. You just have to go into it knowing you're pretty much on the same level as the new grads in a way, as there's TONS to learn in this area. I have had to pretty much become a clean slate and unlearn some things, but I have become pretty passionate about heart patients. CCU is extremely interesting and rewarding, and the nurses I'm working with are extraordinary.

If this is really what you want to do, I say go for it. Just be prepared to learn, learn, learn, and listen- even if you have been a nurse for a long time.

[Wile E Coyote]

Having not moved around much, I can only repeat what my more travelled collegues have said. To get a trully formal, internship type intro to CCU, you'll have to file in w/ the new grads and enjoy.
Many smaller CVICU's/gen ICU's like my own, don't have such formalized preceptorships, and this can be a double sided thing. If you trully learn on the fly and are a self-starter backed by just the right preceptor/NM/Unit, etc., then it should go fine, since you do have a solid foundation. Beware, that in the non-formal settings, (as in my personal entry into CC nursing) there's lots of non current, anecdotal guidance given.
Again, this is just my personal experience backed by the few folks with whom I've discussed this.
The odds are in favor of the formal internship, taught by full-time nurse educators.

[KellieNurse06]

Hello...If you don't mind going to RI.....the hospitals I was at for clinical rotations do have internships & do even hire new grads....RI Hospital, Kent Hospital, Miriam Hospital, and Newport Hospital all do it. RI Hospital actually has a 6 month internship they start 2x per year...January & April.......that's for students...it may even be anyone really. If you go on Lifespan's website or just put in RI Hospital it will take you to Lifespan......all the info is online. Boston is only like a little less than 1 hr from Providence RI......right down 95 south all the way...so it's not way out of the way. I used to drive to the hospitals & to campus everyday for almost an hour........if the drive wouldn't bother you maybe check out their programs......I haven't heard anything bad from anyone I know who works at these places......good luck!