IMCU (Intermediate Care Unit) Tech/CNA; What exactly is it??

[D_Angelo25, CNA]

So I just accepted a position as a tech on an IMCU (Intermediate Care Unit), I have been a CNA for 10 years, but never in this setting. Question to nurses and techs, what is this floor? What type of patients are there on this floor and what do the techs do in that particular speciality? I start school in July towards my R.N. and I am also curious as to if this particular floor would be great experience to see a lot of complex illnesses as well as getting submerged into the acute care culture. My goal is to become an ICU nurse one day, if that helps. For years I was used to nursing home work, pretty much basic cna duties, and I have been wanting to be able to do more , utilize skills more, as well as see more, so would this unit do justice in rounding all of that out? Thanks in advance!

[Davey Do]

My wife, B, works IMCU, D_Angelo, at Anomaly Memorial Hospital and theirs is like an ICU step down unit. She had several years experience at Wrongway Regional Medical Center working Med Surge, and IMCU is a little more higher acuity of patients.

They get transitional patients from ICU and a lot of ER patients with relatively severe, acute conditions.

The Techs mainly perform CNA duties, provide direct care, monitor VS, and the like.

Good luck in your new position, D_Angelo!

[LibraNurse27, BSN, RN]

I work in IMCU and Davey Do described it perfectly! Some conditions I commonly see are severe asthma and COPD exacerbations and pneumonia. Sepsis from many different causes, CHF exacerbations, alcohol and drug withdrawal, more complex post-op patients who need closer monitoring due to having many comorbidities, pneumothoraxes, pancreatitis, diverticulitis, cancer patients not currently getting chemo, etc. I think it will be great experience for you and as a CNA you may transport patients to get imaging done and be in the room when doctors, specialists, etc are visiting the patient. Best of luck to you I hope you enjoy it!