Burn/Trauma ICU vs SICU

Hello everyone,

I am having some trouble deciding, I could really use some advice. I recently interviewed and was offered the job for two separate ICU positions in my current hospital. One is Burn/Trauma ICU and the other one is SICU. I would appreciate any input anyone has on either of the units. Also if anyone has a preference over the other which one and why?

Some extra info is that I am currently in an FNP program and would just like a change from floor nursing while in school. The hospital is a Level I Trauma Center

Thank You so much

traumanightsRN, NP · Jun 22, 2015

I currently work in a Surgery Trauma ICU at a Level I Trauma Center. Choosing which unit you want to work in depends on what interests you. I love trauma but the surgical patients I see have a lot if very interesting and complex issues and a lot of the time they are the sicker patients. I have worked OT in our Burn ICU but I don't think I could work there permanently. I don't find it interesting enough and there is not enough variety for me. In a SICU you'll get patients with multisystem problems and get a lot if experience in many areas, neuro, cardiac, medicine, renal, transplant, orthopedics, etc.

yaaserwaa · Jul 8, 2015

Thank you so much for your reply. I found the information you gave me to be very helpful. I decided to go with the surgical icu.

traumanightsRN, NP · Aug 2, 2015

So have you started yet in the SICU? If so, how is it going?

meswaa · Aug 23, 2015

Great Question

yaaserwaa · Aug 23, 2015

Yes I started at the end of June. You are totally right about many SICU patients having multiple systemic disorders. I have been learning so much. Some days are very challenging. Overall, I am glad to be in the ICU.

I think trauma would be fascinating for me sometime in the future.

Trauma_drama14, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Sep 26, 2015

Interesting, you guys have a burn/trauma icu and sicu? Neat! I also work in a level one trauma center and just started in the sicu. We have a neuro icu, cardiac icu, medical icu and sicu. We do have two advanced care units that have like a four bed icu pod within them-- one being pulmonary and the other the burn unit. Our sicu gets all the trauma patients so its pretty cool!!