Med-Surg experience good for MICU?

[Joe NightingMale, MSN, RN]

My original plan was to work telemetry and go into CCU in a few years. I figured it was a natural progression.

But I just had a great interview for a med-surg position, really like the manager and the nurses. I think I'm likely to get the job.

Which got me thinking...if tele is good preparation for CCU, would med-surg be a good prep for MICU?

I kind of like cardio stuff, but I could get bored with that and might see a wider variety of stuff in MICU.

[meandragonbrett]

If you get the job, I'd go for it! Medsurge, Tele, Stepdown....are all good stepping stones to building a good solid basic nursing foundation to carry to the ICU with you. Good luck!

[dorie43rn]

I posted how I thought most nurses should start in Med-Surg and got some heated responses. Well, we have a new nurse that came right to the ICU. He is having some trouble getting organized. With all the downstaffing going on right now, if we want a paycheck, we have to go where ever they need us, which means Med/Surg. This new nurse is going to be totally lost when he has to take on 6 patients before he could even handle 2-3. He will be taking the pay cut instead.

So, ALL NEW NURSES, DO A FEW MONTHS OF MED/SURG FIRST! You can move on later.

[Rugbywingfwd]

Dorie sounds a bit sour, but I do agree that one good year of medical surgical nursing is incredibly valuable. I went to a fast paced GI surgery/medicine floor and learned the basics fairly well. I think I got a chance to get organized, learn the role and the hospital, take a few courses (ACLS, telemetry, and evena critical care course sponsored by the AACN). I went to anything education related and it paid off. I learned tubes, drains, wound care, prioritization, equipment, a handful of drips, how to communicate with MDs, and so forth. It really was an invaluable experience that enabled me to head to a fast paced MICU. Good luck.

[jollydogg_RN, ADN, BSN]

this is awesome that i came across this thread.

i wanted to do some sort of ICU setting out of school. i put in an application to a hospital nearby, they called me the next day and set me up with an interview for the following week. got put on as a tech close to the end of school, and now just accepted a position in a surgical unit on a floor that is primarily adults with peds overflow.

this is great, because they'll pay for all educational classes (acls, pals) and also patients on this floor could have telemetry.

im hoping this year of experience will be a great stepping stone for an ICU setting down the line!

[carolina4]

I just graduated and am starting my first job in an ICU. Hopefully i will have a preceptor with a little better attitude that will actually want to help me out instead of watch me suffer.

[dorie43rn]

Dorie sounds a bit sour, but I do agree that one good year of medical surgical nursing is incredibly valuable. I went to a fast paced GI surgery/medicine floor and learned the basics fairly well. I think I got a chance to get organized, learn the role and the hospital, take a few courses (ACLS, telemetry, and evena critical care course sponsored by the AACN). I went to anything education related and it paid off. I learned tubes, drains, wound care, prioritization, equipment, a handful of drips, how to communicate with MDs, and so forth. It really was an invaluable experience that enabled me to head to a fast paced MICU. Good luck.

Not sour at all, just realistic

[geekgolightly, BSN, RN]

Yes, it will help.

From my group of nurses who came in approx the same time as me (they were the June crops and I was hired in August), the five others were new grads. I have six years in various floor and telemetry settings.

One failed her NCLEX, one quit, one went PRN, and one is a bit scary. She acts as if she knows everything when she makes very simple mistakes quite commonly. She's excellent at paperwork though. That's four.

The other new grad is AMAZING at her job and works with knowledge and critical thinking that belies her actual experience. I am really impressed.

It is truly up to the individual and how much they want to study outside of work as well as take criticism and demonstrate confidence. And how much they really want it.

[carolina4]

It is truly up to the individual and how much they want to study outside of work as well as take criticism and demonstrate confidence. And how much they really want it.

SO true.

[chexycat]

It is truly up to the individual and how much they want to study outside of work as well as take criticism and demonstrate confidence. And how much they really want it.

Ditto...

I am a new grad starting my ICU internship. It's like anything else you have to put in what you want to get out. I know I am in for a long hard ride, but am willing to take the good and the bad~please, let there be more good. I decided to pass on the Med/Surg experience, and am willing to work for what I want. It's important to know and be honest with yourself too.