From OR to ICU?

[GadgetRN71, ASN, RN]

Hi, I have been a nurse for about three and a half years..My experience is in the OR at this point but part of me has always been interested in ICU..I think ICU nurses rock.

I think my hospital has a program in place to train new grads and experienced nurses in the ICU. Has anyone ever done this-gone from a different specialty and how did you make out? I'm a quick learner and pretty receptive to starting new things.

Don't get me wrong, I don't hate the OR..but I was a surgical tech before I was a nurse so I've spent over 7 years there and it's not like you ever lose your circulating/scrubbing skills. I think i just need a change to get my passion back.

[amandabRN]

I too went into the OR right after nursing school and was a circulator for 3.5 years before I went to the ICU. I loved the OR, but I hated that I was losing all the skills I learned in nursing school. I went into the CCU for a 1.5 and have just now started in a busy Medical Critical Care at a level one trauma center. I was scared to death starting into the unit, but I wouldnt change a thing now. I went through a 3mths orientation when starting into CCU and I am now in a refresher course for the MCC. I wish you lots of luck if you make the change. I know that I am glad that I did:)