ICU to Tele

Sounds like you are way burned out, and you need something other than a transfer. Your pt load sounds ideal to me, as a former ICU nurse. I love septic pts...but I think something else is amiss here..

I don't want to insult you by telling you to 'take a vacation' but it really sounds like you need a break from the death and dying and some time to explore your feelings. This is a stressful time so take care of yourself...

Oh, and have you considered the cath lab (I'm a little biased...) ? I was incredibly burned out too, and wanted to leave nursing until I transferred to the lab. I love it! Your ICU experience is wonderful and you will be amazed and how much more you learn....

Telemetry is very fast paced, and even stressful at times. Your patients may not be on 10 drips each plus a vent, but your workload will be complex and intricate. Telemetry really challenges a person's organization and time management skills. Maybe try working with one of the cardiologists you like?

I am about to be in this situation. I have only been in ICU two years though, but now I'm moving to a different hospital. I have a job on a tele/cardiac stepdown floor. I'm nervous but hopefully I'll like it. There are things I like better about the floor and there are other things I like better about the unit so I guess we'll see how this goes...

hi palmettogirl just curious you say you are nervous about tele stepdown but you have icu experience that will serve you well.

i guess i just figured once you gain icu experience nothing scares a nurse anymore! i am thinking of moving from tele to icu but i cant seem to push myself ot make that jump!

Hi surferbettycrocker. I think I am nervous about having more patients and adjusting my time management skills. I worked on a med-surg floor for a year, and I feel that every unit has its own routine and time management skills that a nurse has to adjust to. (for example, not having a continuous pulse ox on my patient haha). I think I'm just nervous about change and changing my routine. There are things I like better about ICU and there are things I like better about step-down. I think if you want to try critical care you should go for it! or at least try to shadow to see if you would like it :)

I worked in CCU for one year and transfered to our Cardiac intermediate floor (pre and post surgery/cath/ treatment) and I am very happy. I was only in ICU for a year but the many talks of pulling support on pt.s, hence their passing, wore on me. In the Cardiac floor we rarely have our pt.s die, they still may become critical and there is problem solving required but overall their outcomes are better. I enjoy talking to the pt.s and educating them on staying healthy - so many have many other issues outside of cadiac. Even though they are not in the ICU, many of the pt.s are scared and the RN support is welcomed. Your ICU backgrouund will only make you a strong RN, so when a code blue does happen on the floor, you will be a leader to many of the other RNs. Best wishes on your decision!