Neuro or General ICU?

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All things being fairly equal, which ICU would you consider good for starting my critical care experience in: Neuro or General ICU? I'm transitioning from MedSurg to ICU and would love some advice on that. My goal is to do ICU travel nursing in 2-3 years. Is Neuro too specialized?

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Go with general! You'll be glad you did. Most general ICU's get some neuro patients thrown in there, too.

Neuro is too narrow of specialty.

Plus, the constant CT scans, Q1/hr neuro checks, fidgety and bad behaved patients gets old reeeeeal quick.

Especially because in most cases you are not allowed to give Ativan/Haldol/Benedryl to neuro patients

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Specializes in CRNA.
Go with general! You'll be glad you did. Most general ICU's get some neuro patients thrown in there, too.

Neuro is too narrow of specialty.

Plus, the constant CT scans, Q1/hr neuro checks, fidgety and bad behaved patients gets old reeeeeal quick.

Especially because in most cases you are not allowed to give Ativan/Haldol/Benedryl to neuro patients

I agree with this statement. I am in a Med-Surg-Neuro ICU. We are one of two comprehensive stroke units for the area. We deal with a lot of CVA's but now we have been dealing with a lot more neuro surgeries. Lots of CT's and Q1hr neuro assessments.

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Great Advice! I really appreciate it. Will be taking the "general ICU" offer. Thanks!

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Specializes in Trauma ICU.

General, hands down. I HATE straight neuro patients, find them incredibly boring. As another poster mentioned, you will likely see some neuro patients in general ICU as well. General ICU will provide a much broader foundation.

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