Whic is better MICU or SICU?

deeDawntee, RN · May 4, 2008

That is a matter of personal preference and the population you want to serve.

Are you planning to work in an ICU as a new grad? First of all, getting hired directly into an ICU as a new grad probably will not happen. Most ICUs require successful experience elsewhere in the hospital before they will invest in your training in the ICU.

Good luck.

michaRN, RN · May 4, 2008

hi thanks for your reply, currently i am currently working in ICU here in EU and its kind of mixed up(general), i only have a few years experience in ICU. What i would like to know is, in US what is more preferable place to work either MICU or SICU..?and i want to know more information and ideas as to where is a better place. ?i need to choose though i like to work both areas but only 1 preference needed.And which is a better pay..

deeDawntee, RN · May 4, 2008

Oh I see. In my facility, pay is based on seniority, not in the area in which you work. I have never heard of one area of ICU nursing getting paid better than another with anyone I know working as a nurse in an ICU. Perhaps you will get different replies about that from others around the country, but I sincerely doubt it.

Personally, I work in a hospital where I float to the SICU, MICU, neuro ICU and cardiac ICU. They all have their different slants and you interface with different physicians, but I find all very interesting. I do not work Cardio-vascular surgical ICU because in my hospital that is set-up differently. So, I really do find it depends on which area you find most interesting.

I can't imagine it is that different than it is in your country at this time.

Perhaps, just relax a little and see what shows up when you do your interviewing. What may be more important is if you feel a connection with your manager and like the general "feel" of the unit. What has the turnover been, etc... I guess I wouldn't try to have it all figured out at this time, if you know you want ICU, that is enough for now. :mad: :mad: :mad:

RN1982 · May 5, 2008

I like SICU. I think the patient turn-over is great. Patients aren't there for ages. I especially like tranplant patients, in particular, liver transplants. They're busy busy right out of the OR. I like busy busy.

ukstudent · May 5, 2008

I work in a SICU and prefer that client population, I am sure that someone that works in a MICU prefers theirs.

A more important question for you is, Who is telling you that you can come over to the US to work? You might want to check out the international forum. I believe that the USA is in a retrogression and that getting a visa to work here can take YEARS. There is no

I am planning to move to US as soon i pass the NCLEX exam

, as far as my understanding.

RNFELICITY · May 5, 2008

In my facility, ICU nurses (critical care nurses in general) make a few more dollars on the hour.

RN1982 · May 5, 2008

I'm not sure how true that is, but if it is true, I want a raise.

RNFELICITY · May 5, 2008

I'm not sure how true that is, but if it is true, I want a raise.

The Mercy system here in the cincinnati area pays more for critical care nurse because they feel that they are "more educated" and the acutity is higher and they should be compensated for it. I have worked for them on and off for years and it has always been that way. Even in the float pool, the critical care float pool makes a few bucks more.

Now as far as travel nursing, I do see discrepancies in ads between ICU pay and med-surg pay but I really can't speak to that since I have never been a travel nurse, I just know what the ads show in a few advertisements I get in my e-mails.

RN1982 · May 5, 2008

I've never noticed any differences in pay between ICU and M/S Rns. I really nver paid that much attention. I just thought we all got paid the same.

RNFELICITY · May 5, 2008

I've never noticed any differences in pay between ICU and M/S Rns. I really nver paid that much attention. I just thought we all got paid the same.

maybe it is an area thing?

I do know that when I worked at university hospital, the pay was based solely on number of years as a nurse.

So there may be huge variables.

RN1982 · May 5, 2008

maybe it is an area thing?
I do know that when I worked at university hospital, the pay was based solely on number of years as a nurse.
So there may be huge variables.

At my first RN job, when I got to two years I got a 6% raise. But yeah, I think you are right. There are many variables. Location, hospital system etc.