Can med surg nurse go into ICU?

Specialties Critical

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I'm a med surg nurse with 2 years experience. Is it possible for me to work in CVICU? Do I need to work PCU first? What is the best shift to work when first starting out in this area? Days or nights?

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In my facility out CVICU is a 4 bed unit, 2 nurses. So you have a very hands on learning experience. I would think working on a cardiac stepdown or cardiac tele unit would help gain some cardiac knowledge but I feel like it should not be too hard of a transition. The patients won't be as stable as med surg, reason being they are in the CVICU, but they are alive. As with any unit if you like it, and are driven, you will be driven to learn and take good care of your patients. Also, you have to implement med surg interventions as well. Good Luck!!

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thank you for your response. I think I will apply to the tele unit prior to ICU.

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Specializes in MICU - CCRN, IR, Vascular Surgery.

I went from med/surg straight to the ICU. It all depends on your hospital. Give it a shot!

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I think it all depends on your hospital and area. Where I work, you can transition to the CVICU with only med surg experience, although I think PCU definitely helps! Nurses are trained on both days and nights during their orientation, but will ultimately work nights. Usually nights are a slower pace with less changes happening, which makes it easier to learn and get your bearings when you are new to the ICU setting.

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thank you for your response. I think I will apply to the tele unit prior to ICU.

Don't waste your time. Go for it. The best way to prepare for ICU is to jump in ready to learn.

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What type of interview questions do they ask a med Surg nurse looking to transition to icu?

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I have just recently transitioned from a busy med/surg with tele monitoring (not quite stepdown) to an ICU. I'm almost done with my orientation, I'm learning so much and the team is super supportive and helpful. I say just go for it.

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I've been jobless since end of Jan. I was told by recruiter at hospital that my 2 yr & 1 yr nurse jobs were too short & im basically not hireable because I haven't stayed at job long enough.

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Specializes in Nurse Anesthesiology.

You may not have all the critical care skills down but I by now you definitely have time management and how the system works. A big thing I feel like ALL new grads struggle with is time management and all they want to focus on is charting. Yes, charting is important (for the lawyers and to keep track) but too many times I see RNs in the OR worried more about that damn computer than the actual patient.

You need to just pull the trigger and apply if ICU is what you really want to do. Just be honest in the interview and tell them why you really want to do it.

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Specializes in Nurse Anesthesiology.
I've been jobless since end of Jan. I was told by recruiter at hospital that my 2 yr & 1 yr nurse jobs were too short & im basically not hireable because I haven't stayed at job long enough.

Not sure about the whole story here or not, but you're name has ADN next to it and I know most if not all the hospitals in my area prefer and give preferential treatment to RNs with a BSN over ADN. And IF they even do hire an ADN they make them sign a contract requiring a Bachelor's within 2 years.

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Hi, I'm in a BSN program now.:-)

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