Med/surg

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Specializes in psych.

Unfortunately,

The area I'm applying for isn't hiring new grads into the ICU. The recruiter said that they start off in med/surg (step down from ICu, level 1 trauma) and after 1 year exper.then you could go into ICU. I planned on working two years already so it's not that, but med/surg is a scary thought. Anyways, if I were to take this, is there an area ( neuro, cardio?) that would give better experience than a regular med/surg floor? And is this route better than trying to get into a smaller hosptias ICU?

PS: I attended the National Students nurses assoc. conference in Daytona and got to meet the rep from AANA. Her presentation was moving, it was really motivating. It definately made becoming a CRNA more appealing without the $$ issue..

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I am also planning on going to CRNA a couple years after I graduate. IMO ask the facility what are your chances to actually get you to ICU or are they just trying to get you on M/S because they are always short staffed. Then from there follow your gut...rarely do your instincts lead you astray.:p

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Specializes in psych.

I spoke with the Nurse recruiter and she said they are not hiring new grads into ICU--" Its more like a career progressison." I am not turned off by this, b/c I know I will gain invaluable experience and will be a better nurse once on the ICU floor. No biggy, I'll start taking my Chem 1&2 in the mean time. Just wanted to know what the SRNA and CRNA's would suggest.

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what about telemetry?

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becoming a CRNA more appealing without the $$ issue..

hi shirleyTX, sorry for my ignorance, but what is a CRNA?

happy to know..:)

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hi shirleyTX, sorry for my ignorance, but what is a CRNA?

happy to know..:)

presC

Please see the FAQ at the top of the list. This will answer your question.

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Specializes in CV Surgery Step-down.

One local hospital in NC has a CCU intern program for new grads. It's a 12 week course where you work 1 on 1 w/ a mentor. And I thought there was no other path to specialization but med surg...

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Specializes in CCU (Coronary Care); Clinical Research.

I would probably start in a tele unit...I feel that you would gain valuable experience in any area you choose...however if you plan to work two years before CRNA school, learning cardiac rhythms/cardiac meds would be valuable in your transition to ICU and into your CRNA training.

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I would probably start in a tele unit...I feel that you would gain valuable experience in any area you choose...however if you plan to work two years before CRNA school, learning cardiac rhythms/cardiac meds would be valuable in your transition to ICU and into your CRNA training.

In my experience ICU Nurse Managers love getting transfers from medicine units. Medicine nurses learn how to care for pts. with multiple problems/diseases that you only see on medicine units. The pharmacology knowledge that you would gain will help you emensely in the ICU. Not to mention the cardiac, renal, pulmonary, endocrine, neuro, vascular, GI, GU, oncology etc. that you have to deal with. You will find all of these on a medicine unit. I use to transfer nurses to both the ICU and the PACU and the NMs and unit staff were very happy to get them. I know you need critical care for preparation for CRNA school but medicine experience for ICU is the best. Good Luck!!!

Roxyben

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Specializes in psych.

Thanks for all the replies. I had never thought about working med/surg and still alittle freaked out about the nurse:patient ratio, but do see the postive in it.

THanks again and happy holidays

shirley

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My gut instinct is to tell you to go to tele. But, RoxyBen does bring up a good point. You do get excellent experience in Med/Surg. My initial nursing experience was on a Med/Surg unit, and I still use some of the skills I learned there.

However, your comment about the nurse:patient ratio is also very valid. It's my experience, that you can be so overworked on Med/Surg that you might find it difficult to learn.

Of course, if you are willing to relocate, there are man many ICUs in the country clammoring to for fresh grads.

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Specializes in CCU (Coronary Care); Clinical Research.
In my experience ICU Nurse Managers love getting transfers from medicine units. Medicine nurses learn how to care for pts. with multiple problems/diseases that you only see on medicine units. The pharmacology knowledge that you would gain will help you emensely in the ICU. Not to mention the cardiac, renal, pulmonary, endocrine, neuro, vascular, GI, GU, oncology etc. that you have to deal with. You will find all of these on a medicine unit. I use to transfer nurses to both the ICU and the PACU and the NMs and unit staff were very happy to get them. I know you need critical care for preparation for CRNA school but medicine experience for ICU is the best. Good Luck!!!

Roxyben

I agree with your post...the only reason that I think a tele unit would be beneficial is for familiarity with rhythms and various vasoactive drips (depending on the type of unit that you work on...some don't take any vasoactives)...tele floors also have a wide variety of patient problems as well... roxy makes good points, I don't think that one floor is "better" than another, it just depends on what you are looking for...

I would go with whatever floor appeals to you most...if you pick a floor "just for the experience" you may not enjoy your work as much...pick one you think works with your personality and you goals--even better, ask to shadow various floors for a couple of hours each to see where you think that you will fit in best. At this point, enjoying your job and learning about nursing in general is the most important part--you will learn more if you are enjoying yourself...

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