SICU/MICU vs CCU

[groovy jeff, RN]

I am a student with 6 months to go and have had the opportunity to spend time in ICU and the CCU during this clinical rotation. Which brings me to the following questions:

1. Do you prefer CCU unit over a MICU/SIVU unit?
   
2. On a day to day basis, how are they different?

I have really enjoyed spending 2-3 days on these units and feel that I want to practice in critical care when I grow up. I got so fired up that I have already joined AACN. I think that I am up to the challenge personally (of course, knowledge and skill wise are still incredibly deficient) and that I could function well in an ICU.

Any advice for a fledgling student and an ICU/CCU wanna be?

Thanks

[groovy jeff, RN]

Is this a dumb question???

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

Is this a dumb question???

No such thing as a dumb question in nursing, jeff. Only dumb question is the one that isn't asked.

I'm sure someone with ICU/CCU experience will be along to answer soon. :)

[night_owl_504]

do you like hearts? neuro? and/or surgical pt's? you will figure that part out as you advance in school. once you figure that out it will be an easy decision

[JustMe]

Hi Groovy Jeff--

I've worked in our CICU for over 20 years. I stay because I like to be able to TALK to my patients once in awhile. MI's, CHF, etc are not on the vent, usually. I get to do lots of patient teaching too. It helps that my husband had his MI at age 41 so I can relate to what my patients are going through. Medical heart patients also have precarious rhythms. You need to keep one eye on the monitor.

Maybe work the float pool for awhile and learn which areas you prefer. We float to all critical care areas so I get a taste of everything which makes life more interesting.:redbeathe

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

I prefer ICU over CCU - wider variety of pt issues, post-surgical patients, more multi-organ dysfunction which is a great learning experience, and more "toys". It's totally a personal decision though - best thing to do would be get experience or shadow in each area to work out how YOU think they are different, and which you prefer.

[love-d-OR]

The nursing school I attended offered an ICU class/clinical during our last year, that was when I got a chance to get a better feel of what I could and could not see myself working with. Until then I believed I was destined to work in NICU or PICU, until I realised I prefered adults. WIll you be taking an ICU class? If not maybe you can ask to be placed in an ICU or CCU for your senior preceptorship class. Have yo thaught of working as a float pool tech? I did that at the hospital I currenly work at. As I worked as a tech I realised working in a neuro ICU would not be a good fit for me. If neither of these methods work for you, then try to shadow as ghillbert suggested. Its hard to decided where to go, when it all seems the same. But once you are exposed to the environment it will also seem much clearer.

I personally prefer surgical patients (my screen name is probably enough answer!) Good luck!