CVSU or CCU?

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I have just received two job offers from a fabulous hospital. The only problem is that I have to choose which unit I want to work on, CVSU or CCU. I love cardiology so either one will be a good choice. But I was hoping some of you with some personal experience could give me some perspective on what to expect on these floors. I know it varies by hospital, but it would still help to know what types of patients and situations you dealt with most of the time. Thanks so much! :)

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

Didn't I just answer you in another thread?

CCU gets cardiology patients, CVICU will get surgery patients. So in CCU, you may get someone with heart failure, pre-transplant or Pre-VAD, and CVICU will get them post-op when they have a brand new heart, lungs or ventricular assist device. CCU might get an MI patient who goes to the cath lab and gets stents; CVICU will get them if (or after) stents fail and they need a CABG. Both units are wonderful, interesting units and both units will claim they have the sickest patients. Having worked in both, I'll tell you that they both get the sickest patients, but the ones in CCU are pre-op, the ones in CVICU post-op.

If you're brand new, don't make a decision based on the sort of patients you expect to get in either unit. Go with your gut. Which manager seemed the most supportive, which orientation program seemed the more planned out, and which staff did you "click" with the best. You'll be in that unit for two years, so you want to choose the one where the working conditions will make you happier.

Good luck, and let us know what you chose and how it worked out.

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Both units will be a wonderful learning opportunity, and as @Ruby Vee said, both will claim to have the sickest pts. I work on the CCU, but the CVICU and CCU are considered "one" unit which means I get to work on the CVICU side as well. I truly enjoy both types of pts. One way you could look at it is, would you rather take care of a medical or surgical pt.? I love medical pts., so CCU was a natural fit for me! Also, you don't have to deal with grumpy cardiac surgeons as often on a CCU ;) Good luck! And congrats on TWO job offers!

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Specializes in Flight RN, Trauma1 CVICU STICU MICU CCU.

If you can hold your own on a CVICU, any Icu will take you . And you'll be guaranteed to float to your other units... Whereas.. You don't get to float to Cv /s cv experience.

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Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.

Which one did you end up taking? I am in CVICU and glad I made that choice. We get to work with more "toys" like the LVADS, RVADS, ECMO. I live surgery patients way more than medical ones so it ultimately comes down to personal preference.

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