I Want to Transfer to CCU

Specialties CCU

Published

Specializes in Cardio.

Ive been a nurse for 2 yrs. I've been on a Tele floor for 1 1/2 years. It's one of the busiest floors in my hospital. It's pretty insane at times.

I want to advance & move over to CCU. I'm not able to care for my pts. on the floor the way I could in CCU. One of my co-workers tsf. there 4 months ago & loves it. She had 3 years experience as a tele nurse & she thinks I'm ready for CCU.

Some people start in ICU straight out of school but I really wanted to get some floor experience first. I wasn't sure if I wanted the OR or CCU but I've decided that I definitely want CCU.

My question is for all the experienced CCU nurses out there. Do you think 2 years experience would be enough to go to CCU?

Please reply.

Thank you.

I worked in the CCU a long time ago (1990)- but figured I'd answer you. I went to the CCU after about 2 and three quarters of a year in med/surg. I had superb orientation in an excellent NYC hospital (Albert Einstein)/ and had worked med/surg at Cornell. Two years was fine-but the great mentorship helped.

Specializes in A/E.

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some people start in icu straight out of school but i really wanted to get some floor experience first. i wasn't sure if i wanted the or or ccu but i've decided that i definitely want ccu.

i think we have the same way of thinking i thought of working in ot or ccu after getting some floor experience (to be aware of basics in nursing ) but now iam stucked there (sorry for the worng spelling) becuase of the hospital policy :angryfire they dont care if ihave ward experience they need ot or ccu exp. how can i get the *** exp if they are not allowing me in

Specializes in Cardio.
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they dont care if ihave ward experience they need ot or ccu exp. how can i get the *** exp if they are not allowing me in

I worked Med/Surg for 6 months & then I went into Cardio. Since I have Cardio experience now, I would be a candidate for the CCU. A couple of my co-workers already did it.

It's usually easy to get a job on a Cardio floor. In my area, they hire new grads in Cardio all the time. Perhaps you could transfer to Cardio & then eventually move to CCU.

When you work in Cardio, they send you for classes for EKG's & my hosp. sent me to a Critical Care course. Try talking to the manager in your Cardio Dept. Good luck!!

Specializes in Cardio.

I worked in the CCU a long time ago (1990)- but figured I'd answer you.

Thank you for your response. May I ask how long you stayed in CCU & why you left it?

Interested in this topic myself...

I've been a Tele RN for a year now. I actually did a lot of clinical and preceptor time on Tele also and I am going to be moving to CCU at another hospital here in a month. Our tele unit from what I've seen is a little more involved than other Tele units I've heard of. (ie - RN's pull chest tubes, A/V wires etc.)

I feel I'm ready for CCU, but of course I'm a little nervous. I'm willing to work hard and study away from work to increase my knowledge base.

I just wonder what other RN's who have made this move think. I'm sure more Tele experience wouldn't have hurt me, but I knew I'd hate the floor before graduating, and while floor nursing wasn't as bad as I thought it would be - I'm still ready to bolt for critical care.

Can anyone offer advice as to how to prepare for this move? I got basically a month before orientation. Thanks in advance...

Specializes in CCU, MICU, SICU, TELE, MED/SURG.

Hi

I went to the CCU right after school but got 6 months of training before I hit the floor. This happened on 2005. I was very nervous when I started but now that I look back, I don't think there is any problem for any nurse to start their critical care career. I got a lot of support from my fellow nurses when I didn't know how to do a procedure. I got a lot of "refreshers" from our online library too. What you have to consider is that you never stop learning. You may not remember everything and is ok to look in a book or in the intranet.

To start the CCU is a matter of will and you may never be "completely ready" for it. I know I've been there for 2 years and I feel COMFORTABLE with most procedures but I don't feel "ready" for it. Good luck and remember: If you don't feel you can handle it, you can always go back to med/surg. No pressure.

Specializes in LPN school.

I was hired to our CCU while still in school - started orienting on the floor as soon as i passed the nclex.

we do prisma and iabp, we also do alot of tricky pulmonary cases. lots of fun

Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

Oh Yes, 2 years is plenty of experience. You know your EKGs, undoubtedly you have been in on a code or two, you know what to look for in an impending MI or occluded coronary artery, you know how to manage chest pain. That is a great base of knowledge and experience to have in starting in ICU. I predict it will be a smooth and seamless transition for you. I think telemetry is the most essential piece to ICU, IMHO. Good luck to you!! Go for it and have fun.;)

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