Job Title Med/Surg Practicing in Critical Care

[Leafylane]

I am moving to a new state and starting a new RN job. I am a critical care nurse (specifically CVICU) nurse by trade and have never worked outside the ICUs. I accepted my new job, which is float pool, with the understanding that I would float to only ICUs. However, the job title on my paperwork and badge says med/surg float. I have addressed the discrepancy with my manager, who assured me that I would only staff ICUs. I have major concerns about this situation. First, is it even legal for a nurse with a med/surg job title to practice in critical care? Secondly, I plan to apply to graduate school. I am afraid that the title will affect my application, since the grad programs all require at least a few years of critical care experience. Lastly, I am concerned that the title on my badge could cause mass confusion among colleagues and patients who dont know me....safety flag.

Anyone have experience with this type of situation?

[Sour Lemon]

11 minutes ago, Leafylane said:

First, is it even legal for a nurse with a med/surg job title to practice in critical care?

Yes, it's legal, although not a great idea for nurses without critical care experience (which doesn't apply to you, of course).

I have no idea about the rest of your questions.

[TriciaJ, RN]

"Med/surg" is not a legally defined term and is broadly used. It probably just means you will not be going to psych, peds, ER or OB. I wouldn't get too hung up on the job title. Hospitals have their own systems for naming things. Even on this site we get hung up on each others' abbreviations.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

Your title is "Registered Nurse", so it's a moot point on your school application.

If you've had the requisite ICU experience already for the school requirement, you're all set. If you're short the hours they want and the new job lied and floats you mostly to non-ICU areas, well, then that could be a problem...