MICU vs SICU

[pengoo2008]

I currently work on an ICU step down unit but it has always been my dream to work in the SICU. At my hospital I originally interviewed for the SICU position as a new grad but did not get the position. Lack of experience was cited, as I had never worked in a hospital setting prior to that and had no critical care clinical time. The manager told me she liked me and I should keep in touch. The SICU only hires a few times a year for new grads (I've been working about 6 months but they would still put me in the new grad program). I have attempted to contact this manager many, many times and have not gotten much success.

I am attempting to get into our new program starting in April but am afraid of appearing too pushy. Currently I have been told to speak with our ICU recruiter and not to the manager directly. I feel as though I have been lead on, and the lines of communication do not seem direct and honest. I can understand if for some reason the manager does not want to hire me but I feel she will not let me know until it is "too late".

The manager in our MICU seems willing to hire me. She is a lot easier to approach and even told a friend who works there that I should contact her directly and it would be no problem to get a position with her. I am starting to wonder if I should just go for that position. I have always been drawn to critical care and my busy ICU step down is driving me crazy because of a lack of structured education. This program starts the same date as the SICU.

With either of these positions I would receive 3 months orientation (or more if needed) and a structured approach to education. On my unit, I barely got 2 weeks worth of education and we take care of ICU level patients all the time! (With a 1:4 ratio too...).

So in short, do you think I should hold out for this SICU position or just go for the MICU? Is there that big of a difference? I just love the blood and gore post surgery and find post cabg patients to be especially interesting. The other hospitals in my city DO NOT seem to be hiring in their ICUs unfortunately.

What do you guys think?

[perkizme]

If you really want to work in an ICU and don't mind medical pts over surgical - I would go ahead andd get into the MICU. There will be alot to learn in both ICUs that pertain to the general care of a 'true' intensive/critical care pt and then all of the specifics that you will learn about medicine pts and surgical pts. Go for MI - you may find that you really enjoy it and be happy staying put otherwise, down the road - once you've had gained more experience, if you're still interested in SI you can always try again. You may also find that you like the management and/or feel of the unit in the MI more than the SI if you seem to be having problems with that mgr. That can definitely influence your happiness as a new RN on the unit.