OregonRN512

I have worked on two different IMCUs (Washington and Oregon) for the last three years, starting as a new grad. My current unit is at a 400+ bed hospital, 30-bed unit; ratios are 3-4:1 (more often 4). We have stable vent patients, all kinds of drips, septic, Gi bleeds, cardiac (MI, ACS, post cath, etc.), AMS, overdose, etc. I can honestly say that I have had the best learning experience in this type of unit. You have to be organized, independent, and ready for anything. My manager often says she thinks it can be tougher than ICU in some respects because you have really sick patients but don't have as much diagnostic equipment, so your assessment skills have to be right on. I will also say that after three years, I am beginning to burn out already. It's type of unit is very stressful and fast-paced. The patients can be very demanding and needy because they are so sick, and quite frankly, a majority of the staff on my unit feel that 4:1 assignments are unsafe. That all being said, I do think you should try it. It might not end up being for you, but I can guarantee you that it will be one of the best learning experiences of your nursing career. Good luck!

Hi everyone, I'm new to the site, have been working on an intermediate care unit (IMCU- step down from ICU) for 3 years (my whole RN career :)). While this has been great experience, I have recently been thinking about making a switch to Mother/Baby. I'm not as excited about critical care anymore, mostly due to the high demands of our unit and stress. I know every unit has their own form of stress, but I hate the fact that I come home after work and am consistently tense and crabby because of my day. My only reservation about leaving the critical care area is that I might not be able to get a job in the OR or PACU down the road if I wanted to... Doesn't seem that there would be a whole lot of areas to go to after working in Mother/Baby. I really need some advice from you seasoned RN's out there, trying to save myself before I'm totally burnt out!! Thanks!