General ICU or CICU?

Zyprexa · May 3, 2017

Since I'm not an ICU nurse/CRNA, I can't really give you advice on which would better prepare you (I'm guessing level 1 trauma cardiac surgery ICU??).

I will however, give you advice on choosing a position as a new grad:

* Do you have to sign a contract with either position? If so, how long and what would the penalty be for breaking the contract?

- I would go with the position that does NOT require a contract.

* What shift would you be working? Do they require every other weekend, rotating days/nights, every third weekend, only days or night shift? Which works best for you?

- In my experience, rotating days/nights is very hard physically and mentally.

* How much orientation would you be getting with each position? Would you be in a nurse residency program?

- I'd go with the position that offers a longer orientation.

* Commuting time. How far away is each hospital? What is the commute like (major highways and traffic, or small back roads?).

- This makes a huge difference at the end of the 12+ hr shift, especially if you work nights. However, some people enjoy commuting and the long drive (not me!)

* Pay/Benefits/Shift Differential. Which hospital pays more?

- This may or may not be important to you. However, CRNA school is expensive.

* Overall culture of the units/support. If you've shadowed, which unit and staff gave off a better impression in regards to teamwork and the attitude overall. Are the staff mainly new nurses (possibly representing high turnover and lack of experience), or is there a mix of experienced and less experienced nurses? You wouldn't want the most experienced nurse on the unit to only have one year of experience.

- Also, which unit is more supportive of staff returning to school? (this may be the unit with high turnover, however, for that very reason).

Hope this helps.

PaSSiNGaS, MSN · May 4, 2017

If the cardio/surgical ICU at the level I center involves taking fresh open heart cases then I would pick that. You will get experience to multiple drips, learning many medications, ventilator management and overall post op surgical experience. The other unit would probably be just fine too but I feel the cardiac ICU gives you the slight edge with all the drips and physiology involved.

Trauma and open belly cases are definitely cool to see and take care of but its all about fluid with them. You get the level 1 fluid warmer and dump unit after unit and tons of fluid. Trauma patients for most cases are healthier, younger people who don't have the comorbidities that other types have and like I said before all you are doing is giving tons of fluid and nasty dressing changes.

Trauma Columnist · May 4, 2017

MOved to SRNA forum

UtahICURN · May 13, 2017

I am currently in the CRNA program at Barry university. I worked in a general ICU at a level II trauma facility. The good thing about that floor is that we also took fresh open hearts. I think that either floor would be just fine. The major things you are gonna want to get your hands on are vasoactive meds/drips, ventilators, and lines (art, swan, etc.). Get really good with all of the basic skills such as ECG monitoring, blood gas interpretation, lab interpretation, etc...Be very proactive and seek education as often as possible. I would come in early, stay late, and offer to come in on my days off to help the unit. By doing this, the charge nurses saw that I was putting forth effort, and I was taking fresh hearts after 6 months. That, coupled with a humble attitude, will get you very far. So I would really look at the advice that Zyprexa, BSN gave you in the second post, cuz either unit will be fine as long as you take advantage of whichever one you choose. Good Luck!!!