What are my chances of getting into the CVICU?

Sugarcoma, RN · Jan 10, 2012

Well take my advice with a grain of salt as I have only been on a SI/CV ICU for about 4 months now, but I would think you have a background that would make you a very good candidate for CVICU nursing. I was hired into one with only med-surg experience from a trauma surgery floor. No cardiac experience at all except telemetry. I guess it depends on what the unit needs at the time. I know my manager tries to keep a certain ratio of experienced to non-experienced, so the experienced RN's aren't bombarded by newbies! I am not sure what the market is like in Boston, but in my area most ICU's seem to be willing to hire RN's without ICU experience provided the staffing mix allows for it.

I am sure your resume already states this but make sure post op cardiac surgical patients, pacer wires, CT's, etc are listed. I would definitely get a copy of Fast Facts for Critical Care or another book (In my opinion fast facts is the best) and a pharm book and start becoming familiar with the gtts. This will make life easier for you if you do get hired into a CVICU. It has taken me quite a while to learn the med's and I still don't have them all memorized. What receptors they work on, why you would expect to use one over the other etc. I am still working on that. Also another user posted this link in another thread and I saved it because it has really helped me with the PA catheters and learning the correct values and what they mean. PACEP: Sign-In

Biffbradford · Jan 10, 2012

I think you would do a great job. While there always are some 20+ year vets in the CVICU, the new nurse turnover can be rather high because it is a stressful place to work and there is so much to learn. I say give it a shot.

BlkDog · Jan 12, 2012

Thanks for the encouragement. I've been looking for a job for 3-4 months now. Not one call back... even jobs that are in less critical areas which I am very very qualified for (Internal medicine office). I've been applying everywhere. I just applied to a CVICU in another hospital in Boston, but honestly, I'm not even getting a ounce of my hopes up. I am such a bummer. The CVICU in my hospital has no openings. I was thinking of taking the CCRN to strengthen my resume? Any opinions on that?

CVmursenary · Jan 12, 2012

you can only take ccrn if you have ICU experience; that is my understanding. I would walk in to speak with a manager at the facility you are interested in.

IHeartDukeCTICU · Jan 12, 2012

Sounds like you have good experience, I too started out on a CV stepdown and then transferred to the CT-ICU. Talking to the manager in person would be a big plus. I had to get my foot in by talking to the manager in person, and even then it took about 6 months to actually start. In my CT-ICU, they hire people but don't actually start them on orientation for 4-6months, as they can only start out so many at a time (i.e. # of preceptors). My advice would be to talk to a manager in person, keep checking back with them for an open position, and be patient. Start brushing up on your CV A/P and vasoactive gtts in the meantime and try to max out on your current floor (i.e. committees, precept, & charge). Good luck!

Also, CCRN can only be taken as an ICU RN.

ckh23, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2012

You do not need critical care experience to take the CCRN, just acute care.

Initial CCRN Certification

So while you could become CCRN certified, as a manager I would question how much of it you understand. Anyone can pass a test with enough effort, but how can you apply that information if you have never worked in that setting? Some managers may view it favorably and some may not.

CCRN testing is really becoming a joke so I wouldn't get to hung up on it until you actually land in an ICU.