Attn Icu & Er Nurses:what's You Opinion Of Med-surg Nurses?

[welnet66]

I have been a med-surg nurse for fifteen years and have considered critical care for quite some time. What stops me from making the move is the general attitude I have recieved from ICU and ER nurses when I inquire about positions. Lets just say it's not positive. I would like to hear honest opinions from other critical care nurses out there on this topic and maybe, just maybe, change some misconceptions.

Thanks, Cath:eek:

[RyanRN]

Anaclaire, Do you really have FOUR patients in ICU?? I thought we (LI

[maizey]

I did med surg for 15 years before very recently changing positions and working in a CCU, only 3 weeks now. It was very scary to make the transfer but I'm glad that I did. So much to learn. So much technical stuff. I've been used to juggling anywhere from 7 to 11 patients, be charge nurse, take on an ob if necessary, run to the er to help if needed but CCU scares me to death. I'm learning though. I have a tough preceptor but she is also excellent at what she does. She's been doing this for a long time. She knows her stuff. I questioned whether I would be able to do this or not and finally decided that I would never know if I never gave it a try. I can do this and so can you. No matter where you work you will always run into those with attitudes but for the most part I have been accepted with open arms on this CCU. Oh, and I am not at the same hospital where I did my medsurg, I started over in a whole new arena in a new hospital.

[StrawberryBSN, BSN, RN]

originally posted by crankyoldnurse

...experienced topnotch med surg nurses can turn into great icu nurses with the appropriate education. and i'd rather get a good med surg nurse to work with me than a new grad anyday.

i couldn't have said it better, cranky!

s_bsn