Dont ever want to do critical care ... Afraid of it?

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I just finished my first year as an rn on a medsurg floor. I hate it of course. The next step for me is ICU I guess, but I really don't want to even go there because I am Scared of it. Did any of you feel this way before going into icu and love it now? I feel like it is my only choice... A way out of medsurg...plus gaining experience to go into all other things nursing (case mgmt, quality, administrative).

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Specializes in SICU/CVICU.
I just finished my first year as an rn on a medsurg floor. I hate it of course. The next step for me is ICU I guess but I really don't want to even go there because I am Scared of it. Did any of you feel this way before going into icu and love it now? I feel like it is my only choice... A way out of medsurg...plus gaining experience to go into all other things nursing (case mgmt, quality, administrative).[/quote']

I was afraid when I transferred to critical care but it has worked out well for me. You have to want it, though, because it's not for everyone. If you don't enjoy patient care and attention to detail, then you will not like it any more than med surgery.

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Specializes in ICU.

Depends on why you hate medsurg. It's the same patients, same families, probably the same docs, just sicker patients closer to coding.

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Good thoughts. I hate medsurg because it is a race against the clock all day long. Plus all the interruptions with the phone. I don't mind the patients or their families for the most part (there are some exceptions). Maybe I should shadow someone for a day....

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Specializes in CICU.

I am usually just as busy in ICU as I was on the floor, some nights busier. Plus, we often have no aide with total care patients.

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Specializes in MICU - CCRN, IR, Vascular Surgery.

If you don't want to go to the ICU, why do you guess it's your next step? I personally love it there and appreciate it even more since I did a year of med surg also, but if you really don't want to do it, I'm sure several others would love the chance. What about a different type of floor, or PCU?

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I thought the next step up is PCU or IMC.... Acuity is higher than med-surg yet lower than ICU. Going straight to ICU will probably overwhelm you. I am in IMC and let me tell you, some days I feel like the unit should be called ICU. The difference is that ratio is 1:4 vs 1:2 in ICU.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

If your heart is not in ICU, don't go there. There are lots of other possibilities -- many, many other types of jobs within the nursing profession.

I see you are fairly new to allnurses. Browse the site and you will see nurses in all sorts of roles -- all of whom started with a foundation in basic adult med/surg.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

If you want to go into case management then you don't have to go to ICU. ICU is just the same families as med surg, same interruptions, sicker but less patients. I don't think ICU has to be your next step if you don't want it to be. I know many nurses who have went to case management, administration, and quality without ever having step foot working in the ICU.

I personally appreciated ICU more after working med surg for 5 years. I felt more confident going to ICU after some experience.

ICU isn't for everyone just as ER, PACU/OR, Med surg, OB, Post Partum , etc isn't for everyone.

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If you are scared of ICU or you are not passionate about it then don't go. I did ICU and hated it, I knew I would too but it was the only job I got offered as a new grad RN. I would shadow for a few days then make your decision. ICU is not for everyone.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

After being fired from ER, I accepted a job in ICU at the same hospital. I went becuase I needed a job. It is the best thing that ever accidently happened to me. I love it. I have learned so much.

I did 8 years in the ER and during that time I was horrified of vents, drips and the ICU. Now I love vents, love drips and of course my unit. You never know what magic might happen.

Of course the most important ingredient in all of this is 1. Your willingness to learn new stuff. 2. The people you end up working with. 3. The amount/time of orientation your facility provides.

My unit director is all about education. Our orientation is exceptional with 6 months education with hand picked preceptors that hopefully match their new hires. The night crew down to a man/woman is helpful and caring. It doesn't matter that we don't have techs, we help each other.

The people you end up working with is the most important ingredient, closely followed by the amount of education your dept gives you.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

The three points gonzo mentioned above, are SPOT ON!

It took me a while after becoming an RN to realize this, but that is really some true advice! Good luck on your decision.

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