CSICU nurse to pt ratio??

Sugarcoma, RN · Sep 27, 2015

I work in a combined trauma/neuro/cardiothoracic/surgical unit. Our hearts are 1:1 for the first 12 hours post op or until extubated. I think that is pretty standard for all open heart patients, although I have never worked in a strictly CTICU. Windows and other thoracic surgery patients are standard 1 nurse for 2 patients unless step down status then they can be 1:4.

There seems to be this huge misconception that I encounter frequently that ICU RN's workload is easier than say a Med Surg RN with 6 or more patients, having worked both I can tell you that is simply not true. Sometimes just one patient can feel like you are caring for 4 or more. A sick heart can keep you running like crazy all shift long.

OnlyHim · Sep 27, 2015

What advice would you provide to a new grad. What type of information or knowledge base do you think would be helpful for me to at least be familiar with when it comes to the interview process? I have a few years ER experience as a tech...

Larry3373 · Oct 4, 2015

What advice would you provide to a new grad. What type of information or knowledge base do you think would be helpful for me to at least be familiar with when it comes to the interview process? I have a few years ER experience as a tech...

I would look up on YouTube interview tips for a nursing job. I found tons of helpful info on YouTube. As far as preparation goes, you could read a few CCRN review books, and when they ask you to tell them about yourself, you can mention how you have prepared for an ICU position by reading several CCRN review books. This will at least give you plenty of theory that you can use for an ICU position.

To the OP we take 2 patients in the 24 bed SICU that I work in, or 1 if they are a fresh heart.

Sugarcoma, RN · Oct 15, 2015

What advice would you provide to a new grad. What type of information or knowledge base do you think would be helpful for me to at least be familiar with when it comes to the interview process? I have a few years ER experience as a tech...

Hi only him. I am sorry I did not see this sooner and I hope you did not already have your interview. The last 2 interviews I have been on they have been really big on questions about conflict. Conflict with patients, coworkers, etc. For example on both I was given a scenario about a coworker using hospital computer to post on facebook while their patient needed something and asked how I would handle that. On both I was asked about how I would deal with a scenario where a coworker and I had a disagreement about something. And on both I was asked what I would do if I saw a coworker doing something unethical or even harmful to a patient.

For what it is worth in each instance I responded that I would address my concerns directly with the offending coworker in a professional way. In the facebook example: nurse Mary I see you are busy on the computer but I noticed your patient's BP has been dropping were you aware of that? Can I call a doc for you? grab a bag of 0.9 etc?

Also for what it is worth I did not get either job.