CVICU vs TICU

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Specializes in CVICU, telemetry.

I have job opportunities in a CVICU (open heart recovery and medical cardiac/interventional cardiac) at a smaller branch of a teaching hospital, and one in a large, level one regional trauma center/teaching hospital in their SICU/TICU (trauma ICU). Positions are rarely open on this latter floor. I am debating which job to take.

I am currently working as a traveler at the smaller hospital on their cardiac stepdown unit, and therefore am well acquainted with their procedures, policies, doctors, and so forth. I have two years of predominately cardiac stepdown experience, and have never worked with trauma patients, but the experience at a level one trauma center would probably be invaluable, and the manager feels I am capable of the transition.

I know I like working with open heart/cardiac patients, and thought CVICU would be the next logical step, as I have interest in recovering fresh open hearts and more acute management of interventional patients. It's hard to say whether or not I would "like" or "enjoy" working TICU since I don't have experience with the patient subset, and can only imagine some of the generalities associated with taking care of these kinds of patients.

I was wondering if folks with both CICU and TICU experience could chime in and offer some insight into what working these floors is/was like for them, and what they liked best and least, etc, as a way of helping me decide which job I might like best. I do plan to shadow on TICU, but, I'm going to have to make up my mind very soon, and it's always good to gather more information. Thanks!

Specializes in Cardiac, Critical Care, ER.

Hi there. I would think the TICU unit would definitely be a challenge and your experience on this unit would be invaluable to your future as a nurse! I'd say if they are going to train you, TAKE THE OPORTUNITY and run with it. You already know hearts and they are not changing. (I am a CVICU nurse as well) therefore, take the opportunity! GOOD LUCK!

Specializes in ICU, CSICU, PCU, MT.

If you don't mind taking risks and enjoy new adventures, adrenaline rushes, i would take the TICU job. I'm a CICU RN and if I were in your shoes I would take the TICU job. But I love the intense stuff.

Specializes in CVICU, telemetry.

Thanks, guys. What do you like about CVICU?

Thanks, guys. What do you like about CVICU?

I was bored to tears in the nation's 2nd busiest level one trauma center's Trauma ICU.

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