Parkland SICU Residency

TWU80 · May 2, 2014

trauma nurse clinician's are an er job usually not an SICU. Think what it stands Surgical, so anything that is of critical nature that relates to surgery can come to SICU which can be elective as well as trauma. Sick patients of all kinds from 18-80 with needing specialized care by SICU nurses. I remember the days when we would "recover" those patients (did not go to recovery room/PACU) but would come to us first so you deal with the OR a lot. TNCC is more of an ER thing so concentrate on being involved in AACN and going to NTI every chance you can to learn about the critical patients you see. Your goals should be stuff like CCRN, precepting new nurses when you and management deem you are ready along with goals of being charge on a shift. May see medical ICU patients because of overflow so need to be FLEXIBLE, could see burn patients. Multi system organ failure with ventilators/drips/meds. Don't know the patient load but would assume at LEAST 1 nurse 2 patients depending on acuity. Know about new parkland. I believe that it will be 36 beds in the new tower.

TWU80 · May 2, 2014

i hope this is making sense mernah but you are dealing with a wide ranging population from the very poor of dallas to people with money. Dealing with families, good and bad, being honest and giving out information. I was a big believer in being at the bedside whenever family was around to answer questions as needed. Being an advocate for families and patients. Helping out my fellow nurses when they need help.

TWU80 · May 2, 2014

FYI, the SICU residency is finally on the Parkland Careers section! good luck to all

mernah · May 2, 2014

Thank TWU89. I was trying to figure out the structure at parkland. The current hospital I am precepting at has two ICUs: medical and surgical. Our trauma patients go to surgical. I am now going to assume that parkland is privileged enough to have a MICU SICU CVICU Trauma ICU Burn ICU and probably even a pulmonary ICU. Whew. New parkland looks like it will be awesome. I remember from my ER interview that after I mentioned the trauma patients I've worked such as gunshot and stabbing victims, people vs car and even a train that the unit manager made sure to let me know that the trauma patients are taken to the other side if the ER and only worked on by the trauma nurse clinicians etc and that the main ER only goes over to help occasionally. She also mentioned that the trauma nurse clinicals actually go up to the ICUs and help direct care of the patients.

mernah · May 2, 2014

Sorry....thank you TWU80 not 89 :)

mimi90 · May 2, 2014

How long were you at the parkland sicu and when did you change over to the ER?

TWU80 · May 2, 2014

my stepdaughter works in the CPICU (used to be the CCU). She says when the new tower opens that MICU and CPICU will combine into ONE MICU (36 beds). SICU takes all the trauma patients (not separate unit). BICU will be larger in the new hospital and not sure if Neuro ICU and CVICU is till there or not but sounds like it will be ONE big SICU of 36 beds. You can find out that information on line. I was very careful not to dwell on trauma patients when i interviewed because that is only a small portion of what they do down there. I know from my daughter's friends in ER, that only the experienced nurses do trauma hall. Now, that could depend on how fast you pick up, etc. The trauma nurse clinicians you speak of is supposed to care for the trauma patients from er, or, SICU to the floor to discharge. They will not be directly involved in day to day but more of a consultant role on the team that is taking care of that patient. Parkland is cool in that it is a teaching hospital, primary hospital for Texas Woman's University, my alma mater (located at Inwood and I-35). I did a SICU residency when i first started in SICU.

TWU80 · May 2, 2014

mimi90- I was on 6West when i first started back in December 1980 (medical floor, still is). I went to SICU residency in June 1981 and stayed until April 1983. I went into the USAF nurse corps for 3 years and back to SICU in April 1986 to September 1991. I was Asst Unit Manager for a total of 5 years the second time. I still have friends that work in SICU today and they are not happy that i am going to ER! I have been in law enforcement for 22 years, got my NREMT in 2007 and RN refresher at Methodist Dallas ER last year. I know one of the ER pharmacists and one of the Trauma Nurse Practitioners at Parkland. I will be in the ER residency this july because over time, people change and I have changed toward the ER "style". At this point in my life, it is a better "fit", a new challenge and overall where i can learn again. SICU is great and wouldn't have had a problem going back "home". I hope all of you get into SICU, you will learn a GREAT deal!

mernah · May 2, 2014

Thank so much TWU80 for all your encouragement and knowledge about parkland. I'm from out of state so I know really nothing other than what I can get from the web. I still feel that working SICU for several years will be a good avenue to work trauma someday. Just got to be patient. :)

TWU80 · May 3, 2014

exactly! but also be persistent! if you don't get in, try again! never give up, never surrender!

TexasRedC · May 5, 2014

Thanks for the post. SICU sounds like a good spot and I would easily stay for a three-year contract. Hope to see you on the floor this summer.

TWU80 · May 5, 2014

lol, only if i am bringing them up to SICU or visiting old friends! SICU is a great spot, just remember your 3 years do not start until after the end of the residency. I think everyone is starting July 21 for general orientation. I am looking forward to starting in the ER. At this point, it's a better "fit" but nothing against SICU. good luck texas red, hope to see you in orientation!