Cardiac Critical Care or Neuro Critical Care?

TexasCCRN · May 10, 2005

adriadawn said:
Hi everyone, I am graduating this Friday May 6th yeah! :balloons: I have two job offers, one in Neuro and one in Cardiac. I want to learn as much as I can about all the different human body systems, and have as many clinical skills as possible. I eventually want to do travel nursing. My question is which unit do you reccomend to fill these desires. Also considering I am a new grad which unit would you recommend and why? Pros and Cons of both units?
Thank you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Much!
"Miss I cant decide, need advice"

My advice would be a ccu unit. If you can't get a job in a unit that does everything you will see more complexity in the cardiac one. Usually cardiac patients have a multitue of problems, DM, HTN, etc. You will be titrating gtts more, etc. Good Luck

mummer43, BSN, RN · May 12, 2005

Are you graduating with a BSN?

clarkheart · May 13, 2005

I've worked in critical care for the last six years and exclusively in a CVICU for the last three. Open heart surgery patients can develop multisystem complaints quite quickly re: renal failure, electrolyte and metabolic imbalances, neurological deficits, respiratory concerns, and of course cardiac or hemodynamic concerns. I find these patients to be extremely unpredictable at times which I find very stimulating and satisfying. There is no such thing as a "simple" open heart surgery. As a recovery nurse of these surgeries you have an amazing amount of autonomy and are responsible for initiating standing orders completely on your own discression. Ex: Keep the MAP between 65-80 and you can use a variety of different meds to acheive this. (NTG, Nipride ,beta blockers,etc) Remember that just as I have stated my case for CVICU there are tons of RN's who can tell you of the virtues of Neuro. But I think all us will agree that we are happy in critical care--that is where the challenges are.

mummer43, BSN, RN · May 13, 2005

I've worked in critical care for the last six years and exclusively in a CVICU for the last three. Open heart surgery patients can develop multisystem complaints quite quickly re: renal failure, electrolyte and metabolic imbalances, neurological deficits, respiratory concerns, and of course cardiac or hemodynamic concerns. I find these patients to be extremely unpredictable at times which I find very stimulating and satisfying. There is no such thing as a "simple" open heart surgery. As a recovery nurse of these surgeries you have an amazing amount of autonomy and are responsible for initiating standing orders completely on your own discression. Ex: Keep the MAP between 65-80 and you can use a variety of different meds to acheive this. (NTG, Nipride ,beta blockers,etc) Remember that just as I have stated my case for CVICU there are tons of RN's who can tell you of the virtues of Neuro. But I think all us will agree that we are happy in critical care--that is where the challenges are.

It is my goal to get into a CVICU.

begalli · May 14, 2005

mummer43 said:
Are you graduating with a BSN?

What does this have to do with the OP's question(s)?

I agree with clarkheart.

lady_jezebel · May 15, 2005

cardiac. there is a greater need for that, especially if you do travel nursing -- you will never lack a job, since you will also be telemetry trained. neuro is much more specialized & narrow in focus.

Ruby Vee, BSN · May 15, 2005

i know most everyone so far has recommended cardiac, and i wouldn't disagree that it's interesting, stimulating and challenging. i've been doing ccu and/or cticu for 22 years now. however, if your goal is to learn as much as possible about all the body systems and to prepare yourself for travel nursing by becoming a well-rounded critical care nurse, i'd choose the neuro icu. here's why: most everyplace i've been has a ccu or a sicu or an micu or a mixed icu, but i haven't been very many places that offer a neuro icu. (and i've worked in some big, teaching medical centers!) if you have the opportunity to work in a neuro icu, take it and learn everything you can. then in a couple of years, transfer to cardiac and learn everything you can there. you will become a more rounded critical care nurse with in-demand skills when it's time to travel!

ruby (who wishes she knew what a "bolt" was and what it is she's supposed to remember about co2 and icp every time she has to float out of the cardiac unit!)

mummer43, BSN, RN · May 15, 2005

begalli said:
What does this have to do with the OP's question(s)?
I agree with clarkheart.

Because if he is, there are more options available to him. Especially if he gets into an ICU and wants to pursue a masters. I was also just curious.

Do you think that was a stupid question?

IndyGypsyNurse, BSN, RN · May 16, 2005

HI I noticed that you wrote "he" I just thought I would clarify that I am a female. :chuckle Anyway, No I am not graduating with a BSN. I am graduating with an ASN from a very good school which is known among hospital employers for its students having very good clinical skills and the highest Board pass rates (above all BSN or other ASN programs) in the state of Indiana. I am not being defensive, so please dont think that. I think that obtaining a BSN or any other higher degree is a wonderful thing and helps the nurisng profession gain the respect it deserves. On the other hand RN's with a Diploma or ASN are very intelligent and highly skilled, experienced nurses, that have knowledge that cannot be gained sitting in a classroom. I will either earn a BSN (RN to BSN program) or a MSN (RN to MSN program) later. I want to start working for a while and get situated as an RN and also decide what my ultimate goal is.

For me this was the best way to go. ?

Thank you all SOO MUCH for your comments. I love experienced Nurses, you are wonderful. I did not really get any comments when I left this same message in the Neuro ICU board, so I thank you.

Sincerely,

Adria

mummer43 said:
Because if he is, there are more options available to him. Especially if he gets into an ICU and wants to pursue a masters. I was also just curious.
Do you think that was a stupid question?

AmiK25 · May 18, 2005

Adria,

I sent you a PM

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · May 18, 2005

Because if he is, there are more options available to him. Especially if he gets into an ICU and wants to pursue a masters. I was also just curious.
Do you think that was a stupid question?

I am starting my 3rd semester in an ADN program and have already been offered a job in a CVICU. I think the only extra opportunitues for BSNs are management and leadership roles.