trying to decide between Neuro ICU and general med/surg ICU

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Specializes in Oncology, Hospice, and new to ICU.

I'm trying to decide whether to accept a job offer for Neuro ICU versus one for Med/Surg ICU...I'm leaning towards Neuro, but there are a few things holding me back...basically- will I still get a wide variety of patients- and will these neuro patients still have multi-system problems that require things like vents and vasopressors? Basically, I dont want to specialize and then become bored with seeing the same thing day after day. The small amount of neuro that I have experienced, I have loved... Any advice? Thanks!

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Specializes in Neuro Floor & now Surg/Trauma/Neuro ICU.

I have worked on a Neuro-Med/Surg floor for six months now, and I know that in the ICU they were on vents, especially the TBI patients, and blood pressure management is very important, especially in patients with cerebral hemorrhaging. Also, stroke patients usually have the litany of Type 2 DM, HTN, etc. You may even get some brain CA patients.

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You will defintely get a variety of patients even in Neuro ... rarely do you get a pure neuro patient (and when you do you are thankful!). We almost always use pressors, vents, A-lines, etc. However if you want a more overall experience M/S ICU might be for you ... but as far as I know they get "typical" patients too (MI, Septic, PNA, etc) good luck in whatever you decide!!!

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Specializes in Transplant/Surgical ICU.

Thank you for asking this question Auburn, Im having the same problem. I went to the RN's at the MICU and NeuroICU at my hospital to ask them what kind of patients they cared for and how they came to that decision. MICU Rns told me they likes the fact they got general medical patients. One of the nurses told me they get patients that are on vents, nursing home type of patients that have gone bad, and that their is plenty of death in comparison to CTICU or liver tx ICU. Neuro nurses said they got all sorts of neuro/trauma pts.

I dont know what to do! I like both units, I also felt like I might get bored with the same things, but I think as you gain more experience it all gets kind of redundant everywhere.

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Specializes in Oncology, Hospice, and new to ICU.

thanks for the input guys- I just accepted the job! I'm pretty excited and a little nervous....looks like I've got a lot of studying to do!

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Specializes in 11 years oncology, 8 years ICU.

I get the best of both worlds and we have a 30 bed mixed unit...little bit of everything. Have no fear neuro patients will give you everything.

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