So, I was offered a neuro ICU internship position....

Corvette Guy · Nov 16, 2005

Unfortunately, our clinical never got a neuro ICU clinical rotation. So, I don't really know much about it!
My interview was just for an "ICU" internship and it turns out that this is the one they offered me.
So,I have a general idea of what a neuro ICU is like but I was wondering if someone could give me a little more information about it? Like what kind of patients are typically seen there? What kind of meds (other than mannitol :chuckle) are commonly given there? etc.
Any advice would be appreciated :)

Suggestion in the form of a question; Can you shadow a nurse in this particular Neuro ICU for a day, before actually accepting the internship? This way you could ask the nurse questions about the type of typical patients in the Unit, observe the routine of this Unit, and thus became more familiar with the Unit.

:twocents:

sunshelley · Nov 16, 2005

Suggestion in the form of a question; Can you shadow a nurse in this particular Neuro ICU for a day, before actually accepting the internship? This way you could ask the nurse questions about the type of typical patients in the Unit, observe the routine of this Unit, and thus became more familiar with the Unit.

Hmm... I'm kind of thinking that it's too late for that, considering I've already had the interview and they've offered me the position.

However, everyone I know who works at this hospital (including new grads that went to their neuro ICU) says it's wonderful and go on and on about it...

Corvette Guy · Nov 16, 2005

Hmm... I'm kind of thinking that it's too late for that, considering I've already had the interview and they've offered me the position.
However, everyone I know who works at this hospital (including new grads that went to their neuro ICU) says it's wonderful and go on and on about it...

How do you know its too late unless you ask the person that offered you the internship? This person might even be impressed with the idea. :coollook:

If you know new grads that work in this Neuro ICU, then ask them about the patients they have taken care of in the Unit.

Nothing wrong with presenting this question(s) to allnurses.com members, yet maybe best if you hear from nurses that actually work at this Neuro ICU, IMHO.

hrtprncss · Nov 16, 2005

I'm sure you'd like it. Same as regular ICU, vents/gtt's...In Addition people requiring ICP monitoring, EVD, pt's with SAH, CVA...You'd like it....Only drawback, well simply put...ROADTRIPS

sunshelley · Nov 16, 2005

How do you know its too late unless you ask the person that offered you the internship? This person might even be impressed with the idea.

True, true...

We'll see what they say. Thanks :)

sunshelley · Nov 16, 2005

I'm sure you'd like it. Same as regular ICU, vents/gtt's...In Addition people requiring ICP monitoring, EVD, pt's with SAH, CVA...You'd like it....Only drawback, well simply put...ROADTRIPS

roadtrips?

hrtprncss · Nov 16, 2005

Yeah CT scans and MRI's...I suppose you'd get used to it after awhile, personally it takes out a lot of energy ...I still cringe when you have to bring a vented patient for an MRI since it takes long. But I'm sure you'd like the unit...Good Luck!

MeggieRN · Nov 17, 2005

also depending on your hospital you might have a lot of neuro trama-- ( falling and smashing their head in or getting in a car wreck and breaking their back and causing them to be a quad.) You're there in the acute phase-- the freak out phase--- for the family. sometimes it can be alot to deal with.-- the 'when will they wake up' questions are hard especially when you are new. at least they were for me. but you learn how to talk to the families just like anything else. Its just something thats you might have to deal with that maybe you wouldnt have to in the regular ICU.

:rolleyes:Just a thought.

Gennaver, MSN · Nov 21, 2005

I'm sure you'd like it. Same as regular ICU, vents/gtt's...In Addition people requiring ICP monitoring, EVD, pt's with SAH, CVA...You'd like it....Only drawback, well simply put...ROADTRIPS

Hi,

This is one that won't bother me. My previous floors/units involved plenty of road trips as well but they were usually for dialysis, or pt/ot, or imaging or even nuclear med.

None of those took a super long time off of the floor though (dialysis was a drop off and then return to pick up), it took as long to unplug and load equipment and replug and set upon departure and arrival as it did for the actual trip!

Gen

gwenith, BSN, RN · Nov 21, 2005

Sorry to rain on your parade - or in this case road trip! But there is NOTHING like a full on Neuro roadtrip. I always wanted to strangle that "Tangle Fairy" that lives in radiology - you know -the one that manages to not only tangle the lines but plait and knot them as well!!! I have had some bad times on road trips.

Gennaver, MSN · Nov 22, 2005

Sorry to rain on your parade - or in this case road trip! But there is NOTHING like a full on Neuro roadtrip. I always wanted to strangle that "Tangle Fairy" that lives in radiology - you know -the one that manages to not only tangle the lines but plait and knot them as well!!! I have had some bad times on road trips.

:) Gwenith,

No worries, you didn't rain. The tangle fairy is notorious! I cannot yet imagine the wonders the fair can work with the added equipment from Neuro. I do not start until after Thanksgiving. I and not the op and my position wasn't the internship but, an externship.

My final, final exam for the quarter is today! Yeah.

Gen