MICU/SICU vs. other units?

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Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.

I was wondering how an MICU/SICU compares to other units, like med-surg or rehab.

I've had clinicals in the latter two units, but until this week we've never been in a critical care setting.

I kind of liked the vibe I felt there...it seemed quieter and more spacious than the other units I've been on, though I'm sure it gets crazy often enough. I wonder what it will be like when we get past orientation...

Thanks

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Specializes in CVICU, ICU, RRT, CVPACU.
I was wondering how an MICU/SICU compares to other units, like med-surg or rehab.

I've had clinicals in the latter two units, but until this week we've never been in a critical care setting.

I kind of liked the vibe I felt there...it seemed quieter and more spacious than the other units I've been on, though I'm sure it gets crazy often enough. I wonder what it will be like when we get past orientation...

Thanks

This made me laugh becasue it reminds me of a time before I worked in critical care as an RN. I was an RRT and I remember going into CVICU and thinking most of the time how it seemed pretty calm. The fact is, the staff plays a large part in making it LOOK that way. Ive had family members tell me that they never even sensed anything was wrong with mom or dad when in reality they were bleeding, on the verge of coding and just trying to get a task done. Its FEELS very different when you are the one responsible for pretty much everything that goes on with the patient. Its quite possible that it was just a good day in the unit or its also possible that the staff are just good about staying cool while something was going on. The difference between CVICU/ICU and other units is that something is always happening. There is always the potential for someone to code or for a critical situation to become more critical. It other areas there is still the stress, however it is a different type of stress which has been debated many, many times on this board. Its a very rewarding area to work in when it goes well and a very devestating area to work in when it all falls apart. Some days you will feel ten feet tall and bullet proof and other days you will feel like the dumbest person on the face of the earth and want to quit. One thing you will NEVER feel is boredom. Good luck.

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Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.

Thanks.

I'm looking for something a bit more interesting than your standard medical-surgical nursing. If I'm going to have stress--and it's pretty inevitable in nursing--I'd also like to have something stimulating.

I've been told that in the ICU it's easy to forget the patient amid all of the technology and information. Have you found that to be true?

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Specializes in ER/ICU/Flight.
Thanks.

I'm looking for something a bit more interesting than your standard medical-surgical nursing. If I'm going to have stress--and it's pretty inevitable in nursing--I'd also like to have something stimulating.

I've been told that in the ICU it's easy to forget the patient amid all of the technology and information. Have you found that to be true?

I think what they might have been referring to is that it's easy to treat the monitors rather than your patient, and that happens on occasion (seems to be recurring themes with some nurses?). Make sure you always assess and reassess, I"ve had co-workers rush past me on the way to the crash cart, grab a defibrillator and tell me my patient's are in v-tach. After a brief exam they were a) completely stable and b) in a-fib with a bbb. We've stopped people from pushing all kinds of meds that didn't need to be given, they might have been in an ACLS algorithm but the patient wasn't symptomatic and certainly didn't need an ivp.

And the staying calm thing is one of the aspects I've always loved best, whether it's ER, flight or ICU. You don't help anything when you lose your cool, yelling doesn't make people think smarter or move quicker. my co-workers tell me "if you ever get upset, i'm probably going to run away". Most importantly, remaining calm helps you remain more objective and keep a systematic approach to whatever problem you're encountering.

Good luck in your rotation, find out what you like and go for it.

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Specializes in CVICU, ICU, RRT, CVPACU.
I think what they might have been referring to is that it's easy to treat the monitors rather than your patient, and that happens on occasion (seems to be recurring themes with some nurses?). Make sure you always assess and reassess, I"ve had co-workers rush past me on the way to the crash cart, grab a defibrillator and tell me my patient's are in v-tach. After a brief exam they were a) completely stable and b) in a-fib with a bbb. We've stopped people from pushing all kinds of meds that didn't need to be given, they might have been in an ACLS algorithm but the patient wasn't symptomatic and certainly didn't need an ivp.

And the staying calm thing is one of the aspects I've always loved best, whether it's ER, flight or ICU. You don't help anything when you lose your cool, yelling doesn't make people think smarter or move quicker. my co-workers tell me "if you ever get upset, i'm probably going to run away". Most importantly, remaining calm helps you remain more objective and keep a systematic approach to whatever problem you're encountering.

Good luck in your rotation, find out what you like and go for it.

LOL. We just had a transfer from the floor with a report of unstable "V-tach". I asked the girl on the phone "why are you calling me report and transferring and unstable V-tach?". Her response was "I dont know, we just need to get them to a unit:no:. One of the nurses that I work with said $50 that its a tachy a-fib with a BBB.........BINGO!

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