Path to CTICU: Tele Unit or Interventional Unit

[CVVH, MSN, RN]

Hi all. I'm a new grad. Ultimately I'd like to end up in the CTICU, as I loved my CTICU clinical, as well as my experiences floating there as a clinical tech. My hospital doesn't hire new grads in the CTICU, so I'm looking at other units that would be good preparation and background for CTICU down the road. We have a cardiac telemetry unit, as well as an interventional cardiac unit. From what I can tell, the interventional unit manages patients pre and post interventional procedures (apparently complex interventional patients), while the telemetry unit manages chest pain, CHF, cardiomyopathy, and some interventional overflow. The interventional unit sounds interesting, however the telemetry unit sounds like a broader experience.

Any help would be appreciated, as I'm supposed to give my preferences for units shortly. Thank you!

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

I'd recommend the tele unit. It really is a different kind of unit than the interventional unit -- and I've never seen an interventional unit hire anyone without previous tele or ICU experience. The tele unit is a relatively easy transition to the ICU -- disease processes, drugs, rhythms, etc. will transfer. You'll have to learn the ICU skills, but it will be easier because you'll already have the knowledge base you develop as a tele nurse to build upon. You will also gain valuable experience caring for patients over an entire shift, participating in rounds, talking to families, providers and patients, coordinating and planning their care. In the interventional unit, you wouldn't have the same exposure.