Trauma ICU?

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Specializes in SRNA.

Hey - I was thinking about transferring from my combined MICU/SICU/CTICU/Neuro ICU into a Trauma ICU - mainly because I think it will be interesting. The only thing that concerns me is that where swans, pressors and CVVHD are common in my current practice, it's very rare to have any of that in Trauma. I wonder, from a CRNA applicant perspective, if I'd be better off staying where I am.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

-S

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency.

piper,

sounds like u are getting good experience where u are.. but i can't agree with your statement about swans and the like in a trauma center.. i work in level I SICU and i see them all the time..

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Specializes in SRNA.

Oh - I don't think I was clear about that. I'm going to a Trauma ICU (TICU) in the same hospital. We're a Level I and I work in the SICU now. where I see swans every week. Swans are very rare in the TICU.

-S

piper,

sounds like u are getting good experience where u are.. but i can't agree with your statement about swans and the like in a trauma center.. i work in level I SICU and i see them all the time..

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency.

got it.. my sicu also serves as the ticu..

what would the ticu offer u that u dont see in ur unit now?

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When will you apply to anesthesia school? How long have you been in your current ICU position? If you're applying soon and have been in that ICU for a good while, changing to the TICU will not hurt your chances at all. They take in all your experience not just your current position. You will seem well rounded.

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Specializes in SRNA.

I've been in the ICU for just over a year. I know the TICU will also count as ICU experience, but I'm just worried about not having swans anymore. It's a pretty hardcore job so I'm sure it will look good on the resume.

I just applied to anesthesia school a few weeks ago and all of my schools are still waiting for my transcripts to arrive - so I'm just starting the process.

As the only Level I in the area, the TICU gets all of the MVAs and penetrating traumas. Rapid infusers, tons of fluids and lots of emergency bedside stuff makes it an interesting job. Every patient is basically a post-op patient. It'll just be something different and something challenging - just don't want it to get in the way of my anesthesia plans.

-S

When will you apply to anesthesia school? How long have you been in your current ICU position? If you're applying soon and have been in that ICU for a good while, changing to the TICU will not hurt your chances at all. They take in all your experience not just your current position. You will seem well rounded.
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I wouldn't worry about the Swan issue. As long as you are able to interpret what a Swan is telling you, you should be fine. Swan usage is in the declining phases now in the OR. Cardiac surgery is probably the highest users of Swan lines. We do some big procedures at my hospital and I can't tell you the last time we placed a Swan. Every now and then, I'll do a quick review of heart pressures. This serves me well enough.

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Specializes in ICU.

Piper,

I currently work in a Level 1 Trauma ICU. We see everything under the sun... including swans. It sounds like your Trauma ICU is a seperate entity from the surgical patients? Ours is a combination.

As for your experience... well it's up for translation.

Sounds to me like you enjoy and prefer swan's, since your concerned about not being able to continue getting those experiences.

In my humble opinion.... trauma is great because it's never the same thing twice. You might see the same 'injuries', but no two patients are EVER the same.

I love the pace of trauma as well as the didactic nature of the work.

Best of luck to you on your decision as well as CRNA school.

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Piper,

I was in a situation similar to yours. I worked in a large SICU for just over a year, then moved to a level I trauma ICU, where I worked for almost 2 years. I still saw some swans, CVVHD, etc., but not as often as in SICU. I am currently in school, so it didn't hurt me.

I think the important thing is that you got the knowledge foundation from the SICU.

Good luck!

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Specializes in CVICU/Trauma ICU ...moving on to SRNA!.

Piper,

I just want to say that I think it is great idea to change units... mostly because I just did the same myself ;) ...lol

I just found out that I was accepted to UAB for this fall, and I have no doubt that the way I sold myself on this issue and letting them know I wanted to challenge myself helped make that happen.

I worked on a CVICU for 2 years and have now transfered to a Neuro/Trauma/SICU. I too was nervous because I had become comfortable in my CVICU position and did not want to feel out of my element. But I also know that if I am going to go to CRNA school that I needed a more well rounded experience and a more solid foundation. I really think because clinical experience is so independent and diverse in CRNA programs that we (students) need to be as prepared as possible for anything, gain knowledge on the many diverse patient populations, and be ready to step up when there are unknow challenges to face. It is a hard choice to make, I don't see many swans anymore, but I do have a better understanding of a whole lot more situations, and looking a head I am ready for so much more after only 2 months of trauma patients.

p.s. make sure your current boss has already wrote your recommendations though, it is no fun to ask a new boss for that when they barely know you

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I think Piper has probably moved on to bigger and better things, given that this person posted the question in June of 2006.

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