Why be a CCU/ICU RN?

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Specializes in Pediatric Oncology/Pediatric Emergency.

My apologies in advance for asking such a ridiculous question...

I will graduate this Dec (2007) with my BSN and have been working at a large hospital this summer in a BSN-student residency/internship/clinical experience. I have been heavily recruited by the CCU/ICU Nurse Manager to apply and work in the unit.

I have had several observational experiences in the adult ICU/CCU and have always felt a certain dread, even before arriving. I find that I do not like the exceptionally sick patients, the vents, the drips, the extra lines, etc.- but have been repeatedly told that it's "normal."

I have no interest in ICU nursing- what was the deciding factor for you CCU/ICU nurses? I realize there is something for everyone, but in being assured and reassured that I would make an "excellent" ICU RN, I have serious doubts about it. I feel that in order to be a good nurse, you should be comfortabl in your setting, as opposed to feeling dread and watching the clock to see when your shift is over...

Any response would be greatly appreciated- thank you.

~A Senior Nursing Student

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I think you should go into an area of nursing that interests you, not because someone else pushes you into it. I also think that everyone feels a little lost at the beginning of their first nursing job, and that is completely normal. So, whatever area interest you, the hospital will properly train you in that area, and it will take some months to get use to it and feel comfortable. After graduating from my ABSN program, I plan to go into an ICU, but I know it will take me a long time to become comfortable at it, but I also know they will properly train me for it. So, whatever area interest you, go for it. The hospital will train you.

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

Nursing is hard work, no matter which area you pick. Go where your heart is, because if I didn't absolutely love working in the CCU, I wouldn't be doing it.

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I choose it because the patient is MINE... I know every last bit of their history, I know all their labs, I understand our current treatment... where we're headed and how we need to get there.... I know what to monitor for, what to call for, what to question... what to put on my "laundry" list of things to add to treatment for the doc. I know every time I turn a patient and suction them and give oral care I prevent complications... I spend endless hours educating non medical families on multi-system failure , where we are-what we're doing... what I hope to see over the next 12 hours. I go head to head with any doc fighting for any new order that can improve outcomes... I read at work, at home and I study all the time to take better care of them.

On a floor, I do spot assessments, I know the important history, don't have a clear picture, am torn between many other patients, lack time to teach, rarely know labs, except if on anticoagulation or med therapy. Rarely have time to read through the chart, all the progress notes and the consults to see the true state the patient is in ... and frequently play catch up on labs, meds and tests without a concise knowledge of where were going.. this can't be done with 6-12 patients. If my floor pt. codes, I have to pull out the chart to give the coding doc the info needed.

Not trashing floor nurses in any way, they will always be in awe to me.... for me, I need to know it all, do it all and manage it all with the MD. Can't do this on the floor.

so, I'm a control freak, live and thrive in the ICU and it works best for me, on the floor, floating... I can't do less than I know... it makes for one hell of a night.:uhoh3:

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

ICU Floater- you sound like me :).

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Specializes in LPN school.

Not trashing floor nurses in any way, they will always be in awe to me....

I agree ---floor nurses are incredible ---huge workloads, high stress, worse staffing issues than ICUs (generally speaking).

I haven't set foot outside of the ICU/ER since the day I graduated - honestly, floors frighten me. I am completely terrible at time management.

Mad props to floor nurses.

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

Wow, you are so young. You have your whole life to explore all that nursing has to offer! According to your post, there doesn't seem to be anything about ICU nursing that appeals to you (at least not at this time in your career), that is perfectly OK. There is nothing about ICU nursing that is better than other areas of nursing. I have worked in many areas of nursing and let me tell you there are weak nurses and strong nurses everywhere, including ICU, and every area has its own challenges. It really is about you finding YOUR niche that is important. Go with your heart. Don't let an over zealous nurse manager convince you that ICU is where you belong if you know that it isn't. It sounds like you have been a very successful student and already know how to follow your own path. Just keep doing what you know to do and you will be fine.

:yeah:

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I agree with the ICU floater....The biggest defining factor was being able to know my patient.. bigger yet....advocating.

My apologies in advance for asking such a ridiculous question...

I will graduate this Dec (2007) with my BSN and have been working at a large hospital this summer in a BSN-student residency/internship/clinical experience. I have been heavily recruited by the CCU/ICU Nurse Manager to apply and work in the unit.

I have had several observational experiences in the adult ICU/CCU and have always felt a certain dread, even before arriving. I find that I do not like the exceptionally sick patients, the vents, the drips, the extra lines, etc.- but have been repeatedly told that it's "normal."

I have no interest in ICU nursing- what was the deciding factor for you CCU/ICU nurses? I realize there is something for everyone, but in being assured and reassured that I would make an "excellent" ICU RN, I have serious doubts about it. I feel that in order to be a good nurse, you should be comfortabl in your setting, as opposed to feeling dread and watching the clock to see when your shift is over...

Any response would be greatly appreciated- thank you.

~A Senior Nursing Student

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Specializes in Emergency Room, ICU, CHF Clinic.

I Am Presently Working In An Intensive Care Unit As A Unit Secretary/monitor Tech/certified Nursing Assistant. I Am Proficient In Starting Iv's, Drawing Blood And Doing Ekg's Because I Used To Be An Emergency Room Tech. I Am Going To School To Get My Rn And Want To Work In Icu After Graduation Because That Is Where I Am Working Now And Am Familiar With The Unit, What Goes On In The Unit, And Not Afraid Of All The Critical Patients We Care For. I Help My Nurses Do Patient Care In Addition To My Unit Sec. And Telemetry Aspect Of My Job. Will My Hospital Allow Me To Work In Icu Without Working On Med/surg As A New Rn Once I Pass My State Boards. Most New Nurses Start Out On Med/surg For A While Before Moving Into Specialized Units.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

My apologies in advance for asking such a ridiculous question...

I will graduate this Dec (2007) with my BSN and have been working at a large hospital this summer in a BSN-student residency/internship/clinical experience. I have been heavily recruited by the CCU/ICU Nurse Manager to apply and work in the unit.

I have had several observational experiences in the adult ICU/CCU and have always felt a certain dread, even before arriving. I find that I do not like the exceptionally sick patients, the vents, the drips, the extra lines, etc.- but have been repeatedly told that it's "normal."

I have no interest in ICU nursing- what was the deciding factor for you CCU/ICU nurses? I realize there is something for everyone, but in being assured and reassured that I would make an "excellent" ICU RN, I have serious doubts about it. I feel that in order to be a good nurse, you should be comfortabl in your setting, as opposed to feeling dread and watching the clock to see when your shift is over...

Any response would be greatly appreciated- thank you.

~A Senior Nursing Student

At one time I wanted to work ICU because I was fascinated with all the technology and all the things that the ICU nurse needed to know.

Years later I decided that I'm happier where I am. For now. ;)

The great thing about nursing is that if you're not particularly happy in one area, you can always try another.

I would suggest that the OP, get your feet wet in the Med-Surg unit. You'll have a good solid knowledge/experiential base that will serve you well if you decide to move on.

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Specializes in Transplant/Surgical ICU.

Javertech, the time when new grads had to start in med-surg is long gone.

I am suprised that you have not expressed interest in working as a new grad to your manager. It is always a smart idea to put the word out, you could learn so much. Let your nurses know your plan, trust me they will take you under their wings. And that will definetly help you through nursing school. I would know because it helps me!

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Specializes in CVICU, MICU, CCRN-CSC.

I am an adrenaline junkie. I have never been scared of all of the things wrong and the lines a patient has. Started as a new Grad in a CVICU. I did my preceptorship in CCU. The first time I saw a code....I knew this is where I needed/wanted to be. I was fascinated by all of the lines, how the vent works, hemodynamics...all of it. I still can't get enough education on it. I still love it and ask more experienced nurses and our MD's many questions. But, that is what nursing is about. You can try it all and learn just where you love and need to be. You may love many areas. Good Luck!!

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