New MICU and Employment...

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Specializes in Med Surg, ER, OR.

Have been interested in CCT for some time and have already done some ride time with a large company in my region that does ground and flight transport. However, I am not able to work for them due to the travel requirements (1.5 hour drive for a 12 hour shift on ground and up to 2.5hrs for a 24hr on flight). There is another company in my area that has already been doing MICU (ground) for 3 years but are only interested in doing on-call (unpaid) and having the nurse rendevous at the transferring hospital with the ALS crew to then be paid for their transport time only. Since I live about 40 minutes from some of the hospitals they are wanting me to rendevous at, I am leaning away from this option. This company had discussed with me about applying yesterday but just prior to that, another company (10 minutes away) informed me of their plans to start a MICU...

This ALS company in my town (fairly new to the area, but in business about 20 years) is talking about starting up a new MICU. This is just in the talks right now, but am curious to know what everyone's thoughts are regarding new MICUs. I know everyone must start somewhere, but what are the pros/cons, risks/benefits, etc. with joining a company just starting out? Anyone been there and done that? What are your thoughts?

Also, any policies & procedures/tips & tricks floating around out there that are MICU specific that would be able to help me learn some more of the ropes in this environment if I were to take a position with this company or another? Any advice/help/knowledge/wisdom is definitely appreciated!

Thanks all!

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

Green CCT nurse+Start up CCT program=disaster waiting for a place to land. Neither party will know what they dont know until they run headfirst into it and split their skulls open.

Translation: get some ICU/CVCU experience and go with a company that is established and has experienced nurses to guide you.

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Specializes in Med Surg, ER, OR.

Thanks for your advice Flyingscot! I definitely don't think that joining a new MICU is the best decision as I would be the first that would be eliminated/accused if something were to go awry. I have accepted a position with the company that will have me rendezvous with their ALS unit and provide me with a decent orientation period. They are already established and have nurses who have been working in this environment for a while longer than the 3 years I had been told previously. Any tips or tricks for working in this environment that is new to me? Any sites out there that provide good reading info or policies/procedures I could read that would give me some additional insight?

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