Members are discussing the pros and cons of transitioning from a procedural nursing job to working in the ICU. Some members highlight the stress and challenges of ICU nursing, while others emphasize the potential for personal growth and fulfillment in caring for critically ill patients. The discussion also touches on the importance of individual preferences and goals in determining whether a switch to the ICU is the right choice.
Is working in the ICU all it's cracked up to be? Part of me has always wanted to work there--I won't really feel like I've "made it" as a nurse until I can take care of the sickest patients. I'm thinking about making the switch to my hospital's MICU. They get very high acuity patients, and all the other hospitals in the area send their patients to us. I know I would learn a ton.
But then again, I currently have a pretty cushy procedural nursing gig. Low stress, day job, no weekends. Sure, I might not be fully actualized as a nurse, but maybe that's okay for the sake of my mental health? I know the ICU job would be much more stressful, probably even once I've overcome the learning curve. And what if I can't do it? It's scary!
Should I do it and push myself? Or should I stay at a job that makes me mostly happy, if not deeply fulfilled? I'd appreciate some advice?
Are you bored and looking for the next challenge? Will you be disappointed if you don't try? The ICU is not the pinnacle of the nursing career. You've made it when you become a master in your field, whether that field is ICU, med surgery, nursing, or any other field. That pinnacle could be becoming the mentor who trains new nurses in the specialty, becoming a unit manager or high, or earning your NP to practice in that specialty.
If you do decide to go into the ICU, do it for your own professional development and satisfaction, not out of some false expectation.
As for the stress, whether or not the ICU is stressful is more a matter of the nurse's temperament than anything else. Some nurses enjoy the bloody trauma, the post-surgical ICU patient who needs early ambulation and moves out within 1-2 days, or the post-CABG patient who is on multiple drips and needs weaning, extubation, and mobilization and is going to be in the ICU for several days working towards these goals.
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
It depends on your short and long term goals. I have always had an interest in critical care. After several years in med-surg, I made the leap to critical care. I've been working in critical care for a few years now.
As for me, I like a challenge. I enjoy digging deep to learn more of the pathophysiology of diagnoses and potential diagnosis. Plus, in my area, the schedule in critical care is better for me and more profitable than working the regular floor.
But, yes, the stress is real. The pts are sicker and die often.
However, critical care experience opens many career doors.
Robmoo, ADN, BSN, RN
164 Posts
Are you bored and looking for the next challenge? Will you be disappointed if you don't try? The ICU is not the pinnacle of the nursing career. You've made it when you become a master in your field, whether that field is ICU, med surgery, nursing, or any other field. That pinnacle could be becoming the mentor who trains new nurses in the specialty, becoming a unit manager or high, or earning your NP to practice in that specialty.
If you do decide to go into the ICU, do it for your own professional development and satisfaction, not out of some false expectation.
As for the stress, whether or not the ICU is stressful is more a matter of the nurse's temperament than anything else. Some nurses enjoy the bloody trauma, the post-surgical ICU patient who needs early ambulation and moves out within 1-2 days, or the post-CABG patient who is on multiple drips and needs weaning, extubation, and mobilization and is going to be in the ICU for several days working towards these goals.