How difficult is it to move from med-surg to ICU???

Moving from a step down surgical-trauma unit to a surgical-trauma ICU was a humbling experience. I spent a year and a half on the IMC unit before transferring to ICU. I am very glad I made the change and I really do enjoy my job now. The Residents really treat you with respect unlike before when working on the floor. I love the orders so much more because they're within parameters and I love being able to titrate drugs without having to call the MD for every single little move you do. Basically in the ICU you have to use your brain, on the floor you don't and you can cruz all shift on automatic.

I am one of those nurses who also believes that a new grad shouldn't start on ICU. It is so intense at times and to come strait out of school I don't know how you could do it. I would be pretty scared. On the floor I learned a lot of basic nursing skills and time management. I had to handle 5 patients every night and sometimes more if there were discharges and transfers.

Now my debate I'm having with myself is, after a few more years in ICU should I transfer to the ER and experience that or stay in the ICU. I really like my ICU and it's really hard to get into. I was lucky to be able to transfer there because positions don't open up to frequently. We have a lot of nurses who've been there for 10-25 years, unlike floor nursing I think the longest someone was on my IMC unit was 3 years then they left. HA! So I guess it's a very covenanted position. Tough decisions.

This topic has been debated before, but I feel as a new grad in the ICU I need to state my opinion.

I worked in the same ICU as a tech for 2 years prior to becomeing an RN in that same unit. I don't think it's as cut and dry as "yes or no " in regards to whether a new grad should start in the ICU. I feel like i am learning better critical thinking skills in the ICU than I would be on a floor. The expereinces I get every shift at work taking care of 2 critically ill pts are irreplacable. I have a great team of nurses around me that provide support and encouragement. Also I have to constantly be thinking and learnign in order to continue to do well in that environemtn, but I am aware fo that, and I think that is why it is going well for me. I only got 7 weeks of orientation because they took me off early b/c my preceptor said I was ready. So, neways I can't imagine working anywhere else. I tried to take every opportunity available to prepare myself to be s good nurse in the ICu out of school. I did 2 summer externships in that ICU and then my final school 120 hour preceptorship while alos continueing my tech position.

So basically, I think the ICu can be a good fit for soem new grads but others are not ready. I think it really depends on the person. But it get old ( no offense) hearing a lot of veteran nurses saying I don't belong where I am working, and that I am not ready.

JMHO