Critical Care Eliticism?

[LibraNurse27]

Hi all, wondering if anyone has come across an attitude from some critical care doctors and nurses that suggests critical care providers are more elite than other specialties like med/surg, postpartum, etc. I currently work in critical care but due to my mental health issue I want to transfer to a different department. I have an interview for postpartum that but when I talk to my coworkers they say I will lose all my skills, be bored, etc. one doctor said I’m “too smart” to go there, another said I will “just hold babies and pass out colace”.

These are all nice people so I was surprised at the comments. I get the feeling they think critical care is the most important and challenging department where the smartest people work. I respect all specialties and they all have their challenges. The ratios, time management and assessment skills in med/surg are the most difficult things I’ve dealt with as a nurse. Is going to postpartum really that big of a “step back”? I’m excited about it and think I will learn new things. Postpartum hemorrhage and eclampsia are no joke! Any opinions? Thanks!

[LovingLife123]

On 2/23/2020 at 10:21 AM, beachbabe86 said:

I would have loved to have a nurse with critical care IV skills when I was on a PP floor but had not delivered. I needed an IV stat and it took several tries to get it right.

I would say do what YOU want!

We don’t put many IVs in the icu. Lol. We get PICCs. ???

[The0Walrus, BSN, RN]

I felt this attitude as well. I do psych now but am about to transfer into the ICU. I have also worked at nursing homes when most of the people at my school were looking down at nursing home nurses and psych nurses. I try not to do it to any other department in general because every unit needs their nurses. This is a really poor mindset and does nothing to appreciate the work of other nurses. Nurses are very important in general regardless of the unit.

When I worked in the nursing homes the LPN's & nursing aides taught me so much for patient care especially wound care. I also learned how to communicate with patients and aides. Right now I work in psych while I don't see what exactly I'll use in the critical care setting somewhere if I decide to go to med surg or ER at some point in my career I will be able to handle patients in psychological crisis. You can learn something from everyone.

[LibraNurse27, BSN, RN]

Hi Walrus,

You will definitely use your psych background in ICU! There are ICU patients with psych diagnoses, and I have (unfortunately) cared for many patients after a suicide attempt or overdose. Not to mention the families in crisis when their loved ones are critically ill. That will be a huge asset in critical care. Good luck and I hope you enjoy it! You will learn a lot ?

[Guest856929]

12 hours ago, HappyCCRN1 said:

I’m dying. This comment by this username is the best thing I have seen on this site yet. It’s going to be a great week. Thank you.

LOL! You are welcome. You made me smile ? Indeed, it is going to be a great week.

[KlineRN, BSN, RN]

A coworker of mine went from Critical to Newborn Nursery because she wanted to experience Life and something positive for a change. Well stated.

[beachbabe86]

13 hours ago, LovingLife123 said:

We don’t put many IVs in the icu. Lol. We get PICCs. ???

Dating my self here! They didn't know what to do with me so was transferred to a hospital with a NICU. Alls well that ends well.