trauma icu

I think that depends largely on where the hospital is located (urban or rural area). Also is the TICU part of a stand alone trauma center (if so, what level is the trauma center). The acuity and thus level of care you will be providing will vary largely on these factors. For the most part expect a 2:1 ratio with a broad spectrum of clinical difficulty.

It is a travel trauma 1 hospital in an urban area

Well, I've only been in a level I trauma center for just over a month but I can give you me two cents. A typical day can range dramatically from not even having time to use the bathroom to some days I sit around and twiddle my thumbs. When we do get traumas we take them in and assess them. We keep a steady eye on their vitals and make sure that everything is done such as nero checks, monitor I&O, turn them and make sure all devices are in place. Sometimes with severe traumas we spend our time running blood, trying to chase BPs giving meds and even doing CPR when needed. However there are not always traumas and when there are not we usually get other ICU patients or even gen med patients. We still only have 2-3 at a time so you will find yourself with a lot more free time. These days have been VERY few and far between with the sparetime and what-have-you, but you learn to enjoy them. Hope this helped :)

Trauma is not always balls to the wall crazy. Many times we have a mix of major belly surgeries with the trauma's in the unit. You will have shifts that are crazy from start to finish, you will have the ETOH of 400 + come in all broken up and combative. You will see the lil old lady with a massive head bleed and q1h neuro checks. You will see lots of fluids, pressors, vents, ventics.. Codes are expected with some trauma's, family dynamics play a huge role because unlike sickness;traumas are not expected. You will educate the family just as much as the pt and sometimes more so because the family is awake. You will see people at their worst. You will see mangled bodies from MVA'a, gunshots, stabbings, bleeding out etc.. Then you will go some time without any of that and you will just have your basic ICU sick people :)