Newly licensed RN, preparing to begin work on a Neuro PCU

[Kaytayxx]

I was wondering if there are any nurses out there that could tell me how they enjoy working on neuro units such as a PCU. I did my practicum in nursing school on the same unit I was hired on. I know most patients on the unit were mostly total care due to a CVA, or AMS, auto immune disorders, seizures, etc. Do most nurses starting off on these units go off to neuro ICU or do you enjoy the atmosphere of a PCU? I love the Neurology department at my hospital so I would love to stick with this speciality. Just looking for any personal thoughts or experiences anyone would like to contribute.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

I moved to the ICU myself, as did probably half a dozen over that six month span. I also worked with several 20+ yr veterans. A sizable part of my current ICU staff came from our hospital's trauma/neuro floor.

That's just my anecdotal experience.

I did like the floor I worked on; I applied for my first ICU position because at the time I thought I wanted to get my CRNA. The floor could get overwhelming at times, with the amount of total care, lumbar drains (not sure how other places do lumbar drains, but we were never given a prescribed height; it was adjust height prn to achieve a prescribed amount of CSF output. That meant hourly checks, and potentially hourly adjustments), etc. My floor was also complicated (for lack of a better word) by ENT pts...which meant fresh traches, tubefeedings, beer feedings (their method of choice to prevent DTs), wound and graft donor site care, monitoring flaps for perfusion.......

It was really busy! I did enjoy it, though. Neuro was my first love. :)