[bluefabian]

I am applying for a new hospital job right now and has considered of taking up critical care. Just now sure which route would be proper for me.

Should I start up in a step-down unit or go straight into intensive care? Despite having four years of nursing experience, this is me going into a new field - and thus it's like being a fresh graduate all over again.

[Morettia2]

start on a step-down.or a tele type of unit..it DEF. prepares you...I am at 9 months on a Interventional Cardiology unit/CCU step down..I have an interview in the ICU at my hosp. next week. and the nurse recruiter at my hosp. said to me that having the experience on my unit is the best thing I could have ever done. It prepares you for dealing with unstable pt's, RRT's and codes and it mayover whelm you at first on a step-down unit you recieve enough experience so when or if you do transfer to an ICU/CCU that it isn't as overwhelming as starting right out of school on a ICU/CCU. I still get over whelmed on my unit b/c the majority of my pt's are ICU/CCU holding pt's, but my nurse to pt. ratio is 6:1 on nights..sometimes 4:1 on a good night..yea..but if you can handle 6:1 pt's that are susposed to be in the ICU/CCU, you get experience that is AWESOME..yea I have my moments but who wouldn't with 6:1 ratio of all critical pts. So that's why I am interviewing in the ICU b/c I feel lik I can improve there as a nurse

[APNgonnabe]

I dont believe there is any one answer to your question. I think there are some good points to having tele/stepdown experience. But everyone one has to evaluate it on a individual level.

[xigris79]

I started in ICU as a new grad. Had a great 5 mth training program and did very well. Some sink and some swim. My nurse manager told me she loves new grads bc she finds it easier to train them than floor or tele nurses. I think it just depends on the person, experience or not. I say go for it.

[RNFELICITY]

Originally Posted by Morettia2

I still get over whelmed on my unit b/c the majority of my pt's are ICU/CCU holding pt's, but my nurse to pt. ratio is 6:1 on nights..sometimes 4:1 on a good night..yea..but if you can handle 6:1 pt's that are susposed to be in the ICU/CCU, you get experience that is AWESOME..yea I have my moments but who wouldn't with 6:1 ratio of all critical pts. So that's why I am interviewing in the ICU b/c I feel lik I can improve there as a nurse

six to one...wow, isn't that a lot?

[Michigan RN]

Originally Posted by Morettia2

start on a step-down.or a tele type of unit..it DEF. prepares you...I am at 9 months on a Interventional Cardiology unit/CCU step down..I have an interview in the ICU at my hosp. next week. and the nurse recruiter at my hosp. said to me that having the experience on my unit is the best thing I could have ever done. It prepares you for dealing with unstable pt's, RRT's and codes and it mayover whelm you at first on a step-down unit you recieve enough experience so when or if you do transfer to an ICU/CCU that it isn't as overwhelming as starting right out of school on a ICU/CCU. I still get over whelmed on my unit b/c the majority of my pt's are ICU/CCU holding pt's, but my nurse to pt. ratio is 6:1 on nights..sometimes 4:1 on a good night..yea..but if you can handle 6:1 pt's that are susposed to be in the ICU/CCU, you get experience that is AWESOME..yea I have my moments but who wouldn't with 6:1 ratio of all critical pts. So that's why I am interviewing in the ICU b/c I feel lik I can improve there as a nurse

I'm sorry but am I reading correctly that you get up to 6 ICU/CCU patients. GOOD GRIEF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wouldn't be able to handle that. I worked on step-down before I went to SICU and 4 patients was plenty busy enough. It was a good shift to even have 3 patients which rarely happened. SHEEESH

[RNFELICITY]

Originally Posted by Kati2005

I'm sorry but am I reading correctly that you get up to 6 ICU/CCU patients. GOOD GRIEF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wouldn't be able to handle that. I worked on step-down before I went to SICU and 4 patients was plenty busy enough. It was a good shift to even have 3 patients which rarely happened. SHEEESH

I know. I just about fell out of my chair when I read it myself.