Super common question: CV ICU vs Trauma ICU

Nursing Students SRNA

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This is a very common question, I apologise, but I have the opportunity to work for trauma & CV ICU. Both have been my goal so I'm so excited to have this opportunity but now it comes down to choosing which one would be better as an additional foundation to CRNA school.

Background: I have 1 year exp working in a specialized surgical ICU. A lot of chronic pts. Common are vents, Trachs, A-lines, & CRRT. Less common but proficient with cardiac gtts (mainly Levo & vaso), sedation (mainly precedex & propofol). Bc it is a specialized unit with chronic pts I'm looking to learn new skill sets to not only be better prepared for CRNA school but to also be better familiar with topics for the CCRN exam

The trauma ICU position is at a big level 1 hospital in a city that is no stranger to violence. From what I hear, it is a hard job. Hard as in complexity of pts and also being short staffed as well.

The CV ICU is an approximately 30 bed unit with a high pt turn over due to high census of cardiac surgeries. Proficient in cardiac, pulmonary, & vascular surgeries/patients.

Sadly both are night positions and both have the possibility of taking 3 pts.

Both are great jobs that will teach me A LOT. & I know that one unit will not fully prepare a person for CRNA school but just looking for something that will make me a more well rounded RN.

I will be applying for the fall 2021 year

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in SRNA CEN CCRN-CMC.

Did you do a shadow day at the trauma icu? The 'high acuity multi trauma' icu near me isnt so high acuity and mostly has chronic patients that stay on the unit due to the complexity of their rehabilitation and lack of floor beds. I'd say if the CS icu does ecmo that would be the job I would go for.

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3 minutes ago, TPN1986 said:

Did you do a shadow day at the trauma icu? The 'high acuity multi trauma' icu near me isnt so high acuity and mostly has chronic patients that stay on the unit due to the complexity of their rehabilitation and lack of floor beds. I'd say if the CS icu does ecmo that would be the job I would go for.

Thanks for the input. Never crossed my mind that a trauma unit has the possibility of getting chronic pts. I do plan on shadowing in trauma but have not done it just yet

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Specializes in SRNA CEN CCRN-CMC.

At my last interview they asked me what my experience with swanz catheters was. As it happens we do a fair bit on our ICU even though we are not CS ICU, so I was pretty knowledgeable. Generally experience with CS ICU/ECMO is preferred to areas like trauma ICU, although obviously people get into schools with both backgrounds. It all depends on the total picture

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Specializes in CRNA.

Honestly, both of those units would be a good opportunity in my opinion. Schools typically like CVICU better, but if they have high acuity patients in the Trauma ICU then that would be a good option too. It boils down to what do you like better? I think either of those units would give you good experience. I just got accepted into a school and my experience was in a level 2 trauma ICU.

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3 minutes ago, TPN1986 said:

At my last interview they asked me what my experience with swanz catheters was. As it happens we do a fair bit on our ICU even though we are not CS ICU, so I was pretty knowledgeable. Generally experience with CS ICU/ECMO is preferred to areas like trauma ICU, although obviously people get into schools with both backgrounds. It all depends on the total picture

Ahhh, greatly appreciate you mentioning that. Swanz make me nervous bc it's very rare that we get them on the unit in currently on. Another reason why I'm looking to branch out, I know I won't be comfortable in everythinggggg. But I'd at least like to know more than I do now

1 minute ago, shanneliz123 said:

Honestly, both of those units would be a good opportunity in my opinion. Schools typically like CVICU better, but if they have high acuity patients in the Trauma ICU then that would be a good option too. It boils down to what do you like better? I think either of those units would give you good experience. I just got accepted into a school and my experience was in a level 2 trauma ICU.

Congrats, that's awesome! I def plan on shadowing in trauma before I take the position just to be certain. I already shadowed in CV ICU

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I'm starting CRNA school next week, and cardiac related backgrounds seems to be a common theme in my cohort (of course not everyone is from cardiac-related ICUs though). When I took the CCRN test, I remember feeling lucky I worked on a CCU because a large portion of the test seemed cardiac related. When working with Swanz/PA caths often, it helped me to better understand hemodynamics, which I was quizzed on briefly during my school interview.

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12 hours ago, cristianomiguel said:

I'm starting CRNA school next week, and cardiac related backgrounds seems to be a common theme in my cohort (of course not everyone is from cardiac-related ICUs though). When I took the CCRN test, I remember feeling lucky I worked on a CCU because a large portion of the test seemed cardiac related. When working with Swanz/PA caths often, it helped me to better understand hemodynamics, which I was quizzed on briefly during my school interview.

Congrats on starting CRNA school! And thank you for your input. Def swinging more CV

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