RN_survivor

I have applied for a training position in CICU/CSICU and is interested to know how a typical day is in this unit. Please tell me how your day starts and ends in CICU/CSICU? What's the difference between the two? What are the usual challenges in this unit and how does this differ to a regular MICU and SICU? Thank you!

I was currently offered a training position at Cedars-Sinai Hospital at the MICU/RICU and SICU department. They were asking about my preference. I came from a Med-Surg/Tele floor and I was wondering which unit is harder MICU or SICU? Where can I learn more and have the best nursing experience?

Within Santa Clara, yes. But outskirts, not as bad.

Kaiser Santa Clara, Northern CA $78.50/hr (dayshift)

you have a big heart! i want u to be my nurse in the future :) hopefully not in jail, though!! LOL!

i am a practicing nurse for 7 years with a BSN and is determined to join the navy. i spoke to a recruiter and was disappointed that they're NOT accepting a foreign graduate, YET, an NCLEX and a CGFNS-passer (CGFNS - Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing School) AND has been serving Uncle Sam for years! they said if im sooo determined to join the Navy as an officer, i need to re-take my Bachelors at a school accredited by NLNAC and CCNE -- REALLY?! i AM gna have to REPEAT a degree that i have been practicing in the United States ALREADY?!! total BS. OMG, enlighten my soul and make me feel better. THANK YOU.

i am a practicing nurse for 7 years with a BSN and is determined to join the navy. i spoke to a recruiter and was disappointed that they're NOT accepting a foreign graduate, YET, an NCLEX and a CGFNS-passer (CGFNS - Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing School) AND has been serving Uncle Sam for years! they said if im sooo determined to join the Navy as an officer, i need to re-take my Bachelors at a school accredited by NLNAC and CCNE -- REALLY?! i AM gna have to REPEAT a degree that i have been practicing in the United States ALREADY?!! total BS. OMG, enlighten my soul and make me feel better. THANK YOU.

i am a practicing nurse for 7 years with a BSN and is determined to join the navy. i spoke to a recruiter and was disappointed that they're NOT accepting a foreign graduate, YET, an NCLEX and a CGFNS-passer (CGFNS - Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing School) AND has been serving Uncle Sam for years! they said if im sooo determined to join the Navy as an officer, i need to re-take my Bachelors at a school accredited by NLNAC and CCNE -- REALLY?! i AM gna have to REPEAT a degree that i have been practicing in the United States ALREADY?!! total BS.

hi navyman7, im an RN (BSN), with 7 yrs experience in Med-Surg/Tele, and i interested in joining the Navy as a Reserve. i have a few questions before i swim right in to this big ocean! 1. do i still need to take the ASVAB? 2. do i need to go to bootcamp? 3. will i choose the hospital where i am gonna work at? or do they choose it for me? ; i work in Med-Surg, do u think they'll consider my options if i wanna try and work in the ER? do they provide training? 4. will i get to deployed out of state / out of the country even if im only a Reserve? 5. will i be excused from my civilian job just in case i get deployed? 6. do they give u a sign-on bonus as a Reserve? if yes, is it lump sum? 7. whats the minimum yrs of service for a Reserve? 8. i live in LA, do they send me to san diego to work? 9. will u be an officer right away if you're an RN or has finished the BSN? 10. will i get a Navy Uniform even if you're a Reserve? sorry too many questions haha! but thanks for your time, though! i wanna know more info before i meet up with a Recruiter. they said that they would talk all good about the Navy to sell it, but wont tell you the not-so-good-ones haha! thanks!

THANKS, 8mpg! Great advice of a real picture in the ER! :) so.. where would u suggest that i get internships / formal education from? do hospitals offer that? or is there like a training center for it?

THANKS, darkangel83!! :) --that's true! being calm on a crazy / busy unit while your brain is doing its critical thinking can be a challenge, so yup i guess its all a matter of having the real experience of it to survive! :) --yup, i am trying to find a TNCC course; and i hope that i get to work with helpful nurses who will train me good and not those old(er), experienced, grumpy nurses who does nothing but whine and judges you and then asks you, WHAT SCHOOL DID YOU GRADUATE FROM??! ugh OMG i cant stand them. --good job! u convert that stress to some form of adrenaline rush and save people's lives!! :) but ER gets paid more right compared to floor nursing? --i agree when u said nurses usually work FOR them on the floor! i guess its really different when you're WITH them on the actual unit :) --phew! we have those people on the floor too but i guess they're more anxious down there because its THEE "emergency department" haha --im gna take the challenge, follow "my gut" as u said haha and try ER nursing! i guess dealing with different people everyday helps u learn more in the world of nursing! :) thanks!! :) i really appreciate it!

THANKS, DixieRedHead!! :) --thanks for the tip! i think im gonna have to work on cutting down my panic attacks haha i guess when i build more confidence and ER experience, i might loosen up a little bit ... i need to practice haha --yup, ED nurses are pretty straight!! they are kind, yet firm (ok fine, sometimes aggressive haha jk!) as for the certifications, i am trying to find a TNCC course and a book for CEN -- hopefully, ill pass! --i guess thats true that they give u more respect because you guys are a team in the ER :) well, thats cool :) --*****! true that! call security and ship them out (to their homes or on the floor!! haha -- and then WE deal with them UGH! haha) --yes, u have a point about this MDs are everywhere in the ER versus the floor where u gotta page them (& i work at night) so i cant count how many times i got yelled at on the phone at 2 in the morning because they forgot to order a pain medication to a post-laminectomy patient. THANKS! i think im gonna give ER a try! :) :)

THANKS, Sanuk!! :) 1. i agree that u gotta think quick and anticipate what needs to be done when the patient comes in. hopefully, i get a good training so the doctor wouldnt have to yell at me in front of the patient haha; 2. im having a hard time finding a TNCC course 3. thats true. im a night shift nurse, so i dont know the stress level in the ER at night haha well i guess thats when we get the banana bag people on weekends haha; 4. to see is to believe haha; 5. i agree. u only deal with them for a few hours (well ... it can be a while, though. depends if all beds on the floor is "dirty") haha 6. i think i'll give it a try! thanks!!

Hi, ALL! I've been a Med-Surg/Tele nurse for about 5 years now, and I am planning to advance my knowledge and skills by stepping up to the next level, which is ER. --What qualities do I need to be an ER nurse? --What are the certifications that I need to complete (aside from BLS/ACLS/PALS) to be more marketable in applying in the ER and the skills (and attitude) that I need to master to survive being in the ER? --Aside from saving lives (which is the most important part), does the level of stress EQUALS the pay? --Are the doctors nicer in the ER? --How do u deal with (multiple) nasty family members in a professional way on top of being busy with other patients? --Is it worth it if i leave floor nursing and be an ER nurse? YES, i need your help. Doesnt matter if you're a new grad, experienced or retired :) Your advices, opinions and suggestions will be greatly appreciated!! THANKS!:heartbeat