Any great ICUs out there?

[ItsTime]

I have been an ED nuse for ten years (six as a traveler). I have finally burned out on the ED (and traveling). I am looking for a place to settle down and a new unit to work on. I have always thought that the Cardiac or burn/trauma unit would be a great change. Does anyone work on a unit they would recommend? Great coworkers, great doctors, and a place that really values great patient care? I want an environment where I can really learn - not one where they just throw you out on the unit and expect you to know it. And all this should be in a great town/city with lots to do outside or inside. Does such a place exist?

Thanks

[athena55, BSN, RN]

Well right now I am at an Army MEDCEN (medical center) and everyone is treated with respect. It is truly collaborative care but then again, it is not a civilian hospital (see my comment above about "respect") You don't get a lot of drama in an Army MTF.

I also worked at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center - MSKCC. Intensive Care, in New York City.

Now THAT was an awesome place to work, as well (as a civilian). You've got to be an exceptional critical care nurse to work in the unit. In fact, almost every floor in the hospital is specialized (bone, breast, head & neck, etc) You will work your butt off but your knowledge will be appreciated by both the Nursing administration and the Physicians....and the patients. It may be hard for most to work in oncology, and I am not sure I would be able to "go back" when I eventually retire from the military. Not everyone is cut out to work oncology. I saw a mortality rate of 85% in the ICU, AT THAT TIME.

Years ago they would not hire immediately after nursing school, they wanted the nurse to have at least one year of "nursing" under his or her "belt...Not sure if they still practice that.

MSKCC offers a wonderfully intensive orientation; MSKCC is located on the upper East side of Manhattan, tons of stuff to do on your off days. I am sure it remains very expensive to live in NYC but MSKCC used to have a nursing residence (apartments) when I left in the mid 90's. You could always look for housing in one of the outer boroughs (Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Bronx)

check out the web site: www.mskcc.org

Best of luck to you,

athena

[ICUNurseCline]

I did 3 weeks of clinicals on Neurosurgical ICU at WFU Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem NC. I had a wonderful experience and learned a lot. The manager was very organized and helpful. Most of the staff were eager to teach, and the docs were also willing to teach. Patients were usually strokes, bleeds, neuro surgeries and donors. Winston Salem is a small city with some great suburb areas around. Good luck!