PEPPEPEPDad

In short- yes. The ICD is surgically implanted into a person to deliver electricity to the heart when it detects it as fast- VF or VT (most new ones also recognise and interviene with other arrhythmias). The AED is placed onto a person to identify VF or VT, and then give a shock. Discussion- If the ICD is not doing its job, malfunctioning?, you should use the AED to keep the patient alive. I work in Australia and our current Advanced Life support guidelines suggest not putting the pads within 8cm of any implantable device (ie an ICD) as it may cause burns. Not sure about the equiptment where you work, but we use a manual cardiac monitor/defib like a 'lifepak 15' (as apposed to an AED) to identify the rhythms ourselves to carry out defib, pacing, cardioversion. Electrical Therapy for Adult Advanced Life Support

Yes. I graduated at the end of 2009 after 3 years of uni, had 8 months off and then started nursing (gosford hospital, nsw). Ive been in ICU for 1 year now and although i have had some busy days I can honestly say that i have been well supported by all my colleagues, get pretty good pay and can see a stable job in the future