Interview this week PACU or CCU?

Nursing Students Technicians

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I completed my CNA class and will taking the exam next month. I am taking my nursing pre reqs and I have two hospital interviews this coming week. One is PACU and the other CCU. Does anyone have any advice on which unit they prefer? The PACU position is M-F which may work better with my school schedule. CCU is regular 12hr shifts 3 days a week. I really want to get the most experience I can. If I get either postion there will be a 6 week orientation.

I've been reasearching online and I'm hearing a lot of techs and nurses love PACU? What do you guys think? Does anyone here work in CCU?

Thanks in advance!

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First, in this economy, go to both interviews and try like heck to get both of them. Don't get set on one or the other without having any job offers yet.

Second, I personally would lean towards the CCU since I'm interested more in critical care. The CCU spot will also offer more schedule flexibility since it's a 24hr operation. Although the more desirable shifts may be given out by seniority.

Do you know the general duties of each job. I'm willing to bet that you'd be able to do/assist with more procedures in the CCU versus the PACU.

What area of nursing are you interested in?

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Thank you so much for the response. So I had both interviews yesterday. They are both in the same hospital. The PACU position in 12hr shifts 3 days/wk no weekends or holidays. The CCU postion is rotating12s days/nights. Both positions will give me the opportunity to learn a lot but you are right that CCU will allow me to assist/view more procedures and do more blood draws. '

Both units are great opportunties, however I'm taking pre reqs now and I want to make sure that I make the best choice that will allow me to balance work with my school schedule. I have not work a night shift in over 20 years and I'm not sure how I'll handle that. I'm leaning toward PACU because of the hours but CCU will give me more pay with shift differentials. So many things to consider my head is spinning.

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Specializes in Psych, Hospice, Surgical unit, L&D/Postpartum.

Hi i was reading your post, im curious, which unit did you pick?

I work as a pca in the pacu. I do blood draws when i work down in the preop area and i do accuchecks before and after surgery. i hook the patients up to the monitors when they come out, i sit and watch pedi patients when they come out so the nurses can get report, i sometimes get respirations on pt for the anesthetists when they come out. I learn alot by watching the nurses interact with the patients, how they do report and discharge instructions. I get to learn alot about the meds they given to patents post surgery.

I also have nights and weekends off. I am starting nursing school in the fall, a part time evening weekend program so its good for me to work during the day.

well goodluck with your new job!!

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I ended up getting an offer from another unit and I accepted it. I'll be working nights to start and I'm so excited to have my first job in healthcare!

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Specializes in Psych, Hospice, Surgical unit, L&D/Postpartum.

Well congrats valleygirl!

Enjoy your new job, im happy for you :D

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