SICU or CVICU?

although a strong knowledge of post op heart recovery is essential (for hemodynamics, swans, etc.), i highly recommend going somewhere with a lot of variety. crnas are typically involved in different kinds of cases, likewise, an icu nurse dealing w/ different kinds of pts & diagnoses would be ideal. i'd recommend the 2nd hospital you mentioned.

i maybe biased, just because i'm a sicu rn who floats to different units, including cvicu, burn icu, medical icu, pacu, etc. (i believe i'm just as competent as the cvicu nurses as well) i highly value the experience i've had working in these different units & i think my varied background helped me get into school..

oh yeah, i'm starting crna school this fall

good luck!!

I agree. Go with the variety. Especially if you'll be trained for the CV while in SI.

I am trying to decide between two jobs. My ultimate goal is CRNA. The first job is in a 500+ bed hospital on CVICU. In addition to the usual stuff, they recover the transplants (including heart) and rarely get some neuro/med ICU overflow. The unit cares for adults only. Staff float (though not very often) and can be sent anywhere in the house. The CVICU is one of like ten ICUs in the hospital. The second job is in a 300+ bed hospital on SICU. It is a general SICU that gets all trauma, neuro, and, of course, surgery pts. Most medical ICU type pts go to their intermediate ICU. They get adults and a small number of peds. With the SICU position I would also be trained for their CVICU. Lots of open hearts, but no major organ transplants done at this hospital. The two units are closed, so guaranteed no floating except b/w them, but this hospital requires call. Both hospitals are Level 1. I really want to pick the best start towards CRNA school one day. THANKS for your advice!!

I am trying to decide between two jobs. My ultimate goal is CRNA. The first job is in a 500+ bed hospital on CVICU. In addition to the usual stuff, they recover the transplants (including heart) and rarely get some neuro/med ICU overflow. The unit cares for adults only. Staff float (though not very often) and can be sent anywhere in the house. The CVICU is one of like ten ICUs in the hospital. The second job is in a 300+ bed hospital on SICU. It is a general SICU that gets all trauma, neuro, and, of course, surgery pts. Most medical ICU type pts go to their intermediate ICU. They get adults and a small number of peds. With the SICU position I would also be trained for their CVICU. Lots of open hearts, but no major organ transplants done at this hospital. The two units are closed, so guaranteed no floating except b/w them, but this hospital requires call. Both hospitals are Level 1. I really want to pick the best start towards CRNA school one day. THANKS for your advice!!

CV, it's a bigger hospital and you will get more experience with invasive lines and gtts. Plus the transplant experience.

Honestly, you are going to get a great experience at both hospitals it sounds like. In that case, I would go with whatever is the best off as far as staffing, money, benefits, tuition reimbursement, etc. Might as well make it easy on yourself.

I tell everyone preparing for CRNA school, just have fun doing what are you doing, and don't stress yourself out too much, cuz the stress will come later.

David

I agree with going with what interests you most. No one ICU will prepare you better for CRNA school. So go with the one that pays the best and sounds the best to you. Also meet some of the staff and see who you would like to work with.

I was indecisive about the same two units myself but I chose SICU. I'm glad I did. I certainly get a variety including CV and transplants. You will see that in SICU you'll get all the hemodynamics as well ( mutliple drips, PAC, vents, CVVHD, etc..) SICu will make you a more well rounded ICU nurse. DO a share day with both units and see what really interest you. GOod Luck!

There appears to be many varying opinions to this question. I would find out what the schools you are most interested in prefer. Most do have a preference. Mine will take a well rounded nurse with SI, MI, AND CV experience anyday over a nurse that knows only how to do hearts.

I worked in an SICU in a Level 1 and that experience was extraordinary. I had just as much Swan, line, drip experience as the CVICU nurses. Also, a plug to the SICU, you get the variety which does help when you're an SRNA. You'll have a better idea, IMHO, what the surgeries are and what the specific problems may be for that particular surgery. Both units sound fine, but here's a push towards SICU.

I think it depends on the particular hospital. I worked in a CTSICU, and we also got lots of transplants, traumas, MICU, neuro, and trauma patients. The CTS patients, however, were never ever recovered on another unit, so in my case I believe that the CTSICU provided me with the most exposure to a wide variety of patients.

Thanks for the advice so far. Keep it coming!

Having worked in both prior to school, I would have to say CVICU without a doubt. I did learn a lot in SICU, but it didn't even touch the amount of knnowledge gained from working in a large transplant CVICU in Tampa. It made a big difference in my confidence level prior to my interviews (and I think it served me well). Which ever you choose, just be sure to take an active role in your education after the orienetation stops ...

I say go with the SICU, esp if you will get to train for CVICU as well. I worked at a hospital and started out in ICU...started crosstraining with cvicu and ended up doing both. I have no transplant experience. If you go strictly CVICU you may end up being short sided. I have seen a lot of CV nurses who can't function in a regular ICU because they are so focused on CV they forget about the other components of the patient. Look at it this way. If you choose the SICU you can't go wrong because you will get the CV experience as well. If you are only going to be there a year or 2 you will get lots of good experience. Good Luck with the decision.