thinking of applying to a neuro ICU

[ErraticThinker]

I've been thinking about applying to a neuro ICU because I think it'd be really challenging, and it'd give me a chance to feed my interest in neurology as a whole. I'm hesitant though because I don't have any neuro experience, and wanted to hear your opinions on the matter.

I've been an RN for two years, spent one year in cardiology/telemetry where I had a six patient load and titrated drips and all that. on a given day i'd have patients on heparin, dilt, nitro, lido, etc or any combination of drips. I currently work on a thoracic surgery floor in the step down unit, and we have some pretty sick patients and a lot of the times there'll be more than one team treating the patient like say the rare neuro patient with thoracics consulting. the step down has some pretty sick patients, most with a-lines initially. frankly, they'd be ICU patients at any smaller hospital.

My question is, should I just read up all that I can and apply for the neuro ICU? or would it be better to apply to the regular neuro floor first to get that experience? the specialty seems pretty amazing, and the nurses that work there love it. I feel like I have the experience and would have the judgement to do fine, but i'd definitely have a lot to learn in terms of care for the neuro patient.

any advice would be appreciated.

[CRNA1982]

Don't worry about researching and preparing for Neuro. You will learn on the job as you go. People freak out when it comes to taking care of a neuro patient but you just have to use good judgement when assessing them. There will always be people around to help and answer questions as you go, just like anywhere in the hospital. Go straight to the ICU.