info on CTICU..interview coming up

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Hi all,

I have been a nurse for 4 years. 2 years telemetry, 1 year CT stepdown, 1 year medical/surgical ICU. Currently i am floating around in different ICUs at level One trauma hospital as per diem nurse but mostly medical/surgical units. I got CTICU job interview coming up soon. I am drawn to this because I want to work with swanganz, which I never had worked with before besides other things...Since I have worked at CT stepdown, I had gotten CABG/AVR pts one day post-op with insulin, nitro, pacing wires, and chest tubes. So my assumption will be similar things but with vasopressors, swanganz, and ventillators, where ICU only handles. And may be same other ICU patients as overflow. Is there anything else? And I know the culture differs from hospital to hospital, but curious how I can fit into the CTICU culture...I am a type of person who believes in working hard while young, and chill later...I enjoy team work at the same time I can function independently. As a matter of fact, I prefer to be independent. The first ICU unit I have worked in, people are so dependent on each other even for little things. so my question is that does CTICU let u perform your job fully independently...please dont misintrepret it as not being a team player.

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Specializes in Transplant/Surgical ICU.

Well then explain what you mean by independent and dependent on each other, because you do sound like you don't like team work... I don't need my co-worker to hang a drip for me, but if I have a busy pair I would appreciate the help. If my patient is coding, I would appreciate the help. If its 3pm and have not taken a break, I would appreciate the help... I don't work in a CTICU so I can't tell you much about what kind of tubes and gtts they are on, maybe you should try posting in the CCU section

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Specializes in ICU/Burn ICU/MSICU/NeuroICU.
Hi all,

I am drawn to this because I want to work with swanganz, which I never had worked with before besides other things...

Most ICU nurse do prefer to be independent and work well that way!

But going to a Unit only for a Sg cath is lame! I mean, it's a plastic invasion of a very vital area. You don't do diddly with them and lots of places don't even intervene when they use them, which I find disgusting! Either use it or remove it!

Lots of folks get all hyped up on handling all these interventions such as the SG you mentioned...but I could teach a twelve year old to manage them as well as many nurses do...ahh..but there's the rub.. the trick on any unit is to attain and have knowledge beyond what little is required! Work hard, study harder and ask the dumb questions!

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Most ICU nurse do prefer to be independent and work well that way!

But going to a Unit only for a Sg cath is lame! I mean, it's a plastic invasion of a very vital area. You don't do diddly with them and lots of places don't even intervene when they use them, which I find disgusting! Either use it or remove it!

Lots of folks get all hyped up on handling all these interventions such as the SG you mentioned...but I could teach a twelve year old to manage them as well as many nurses do...ahh..but there's the rub.. the trick on any unit is to attain and have knowledge beyond what little is required! Work hard, study harder and ask the dumb questions!

thanks so much for your positive insight!!!! I know SG are not everything...but it would be nice to have worked with it at least for a day. I have however studied the hemodynamic values and confortable enough to know what they mean. I always work hard and study harder. I am humble enough to ask the dumb questions.

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Well then explain what you mean by independent and dependent on each other, because you do sound like you don't like team work... I don't need my co-worker to hang a drip for me, but if I have a busy pair I would appreciate the help. If my patient is coding, I would appreciate the help. If its 3pm and have not taken a break, I would appreciate the help... I don't work in a CTICU so I can't tell you much about what kind of tubes and gtts they are on, maybe you should try posting in the CCU section

Love-d-OR:

When I say be independent, I meant make critical decision independently and confidentally without relying on others. Titrating the drips using ur judgement not your co-workers or the doctors...deciding whether the family stays with your patient or leave...Besides that sure I help out my co-workers...I watch over their patients while taking breaks...If they are busy, I help them...actually, I go out of my way to do extra for my co-workers wherever I have worked. Because I am a single gal with no other obligations, where as most of my co-workers are parents with little kids who dont get enough rest at home like I do. I take the heavy patients and the busy patients gladly...I dont require any extra accomodations...Trust me, I am a very good co-worker to be with. Very level-headed and very understanding and very diplomatic. But I have a big appetite to learn and challenge myself.

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Specializes in Transplant/Surgical ICU.

Good to hear Jmeng. At the end of the day a swan is just that a catheter that gives you valuable information, the important part is knowing what those values are, how to interpret them and how to use that information... It sounds like you have achieved that! If you do not get the CTICU job, try a big SICU (I see them in my unit too, and I'm not in a CTICU). I know you are probably wanting this experience in preparation for CRNA school, but I have heard of people getting in and doing well without swan experience... Good luck

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thanks love-d-OR. I may have to try SICU if it doesnt work out. Oh by the way, I did reply to your snail or email question but not really posted yet. UMDNJ sent out their invitation on the 21 via snail mail and I got it on 22 because i live next town. if u live west coast it might take a while.

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Specializes in ICU/Burn ICU/MSICU/NeuroICU.
thanks so much for your positive insight!!!! I know SG are not everything...but it would be nice to have worked with it at least for a day. I have however studied the hemodynamic values and confortable enough to know what they mean. I always work hard and study harder. I am humble enough to ask the dumb questions.

Your Very Welcomed and I am glad you took it that way! As intended!

Working hard, studying harder is all you have to really do! What you find once you get to a given level is, so very many of us do not know how something really works. And there are so very many examples, You'll just have to see for yourself. That is why asking what may seem like a dumb question can often be revealing about what a person thinks they know versus what they really do. Understanding the hemo-dynamics you mention is a great way to start!

Good Luck to ya!

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