cvicu to neuro icu

[pcw rn]

I started a job in 32 bed cvcurgical icu in July,in which i have about 3years experience, and I really find myself not liking it. I came when there was a large turnover and new management and a lot of the staff are unhappy and it shows everyday I come to work alot of them are very dry. Dont get me wrong I had some very good preceptors who were very kind and helpful, but once I finished orientation I find that when you ask for help they say they are too busy or they'll help but you can tell they really don't want to. I really enjoy my patients I care for but I am seriously thinking of tranferring once the next schdule is finished. Would I be wrong to do that? I really don't want to work somewhere I am unhappy at. I would like to give neuro critical care a try because that always seemed interesting to me as well.

[Flo., BSN, RN]

Mgmt might not like you jumping ship so fast. They spent alot of money to train you. At my hospital you have to be on the unit 6-12mos post orientation to be allowed a transfer.

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

Although you may learn a lot, neuro patients are very difficult.

Personally, I did both and now cannot stand ANY neuro. They go down quick, and those herniation syndromes CANNOT BE STOPPED....ugh...hated them...

So....I love CVICU more just because it seemed much more...um...controllable.......

But that's just me....

[Suethestudent]

Neuro is awfully hard... be very careful you know exactly what you are getting into because it is basically nursing home work for 80%+ of the time. I hope you like lots of HEAVY lifting, bed linen changing and Q4 neuro checks on aphasic, immobile, incontinent pts with families that expect them to walk out the door exactly the way they were. I recommend you shadow before you jump. JMHO and good luck in the decision you make.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I have spent time in both types of units.

Do some shadowing in a neuro unit before making the change.

Neuro is not an easy unit- lots of agitated patients, a high tragedy factor and the signs of a crisis can be subtle.

Some days the "tragic" factor is equal to the Burn ICU, and that is plenty.