Why choose critical care?

shelbias · Feb 8, 2011

Of all of the clinical rotations I've been in, the CCU rotation is by far my favorite. You focus on two patients (at least here in CA) only, and get to know them inside and out. :)

It's a short answer but it sums up how I feel about it. You're lucky to be able to score a 2nd interview for fellowship! It's very slim pickings out here.

ckh23, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2011

It will be tough but you should have plenty of support from the fellowship. Those types of programs are designed to help you succeed.

tashacorinne · Feb 8, 2011

You're lucky to be able to score a 2nd interview for fellowship! It's very slim pickings out here.

I'm from CA too and I have to agree!

But pjwp2020, your fellowship should be able to help you go through it. You made it through nursing school! :yeah:

Mike A. Fungin RN · Feb 8, 2011

This is for all who currently works as a CCRN or who is interested in critical care nursing. Why? I'm contemplating beginning my nursing career in critical care--SCIU/CTICU to be more specific. I was called in for a 2nd interview for a critical care fellowship program that orients, and educates you for ONE yr. However, I'm beginning to doubt that I "got what it takes" for this difficult position as a new grad. Any thoughts?

I started my career in critical care with a 6-month residency. You're getting 1 whole year! Do it!

NaKcl, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2011

Congraulations and I envy you.... I want to get into the ICU, or CCU where nurse to patient ratio is small, but hasn't had that luck yet. I would like to work on that type of setting because I will be able to focus of my patients' health status more in detail and provide care.

Congratulations again and good luck.

Zookeeper3 · Feb 8, 2011

The cons-

1. Not that anyone has suggested two patients are easy... but those two patients can have you running to the point you can't pee!

2. There is no other "unit" to send them to... no matter how long or hard they crash, you own that work until it turns around.

3. These folks and all their dysfunctional family are at one of the most stressful times in their lives, you wouldn't believe half the stories I'd tell you about how they act out and try to manipulate, threaten or scare you.

4. Most ICU's have open visitation

5. Not every ICU has aides to assist so 10 patients 5 nurses and 8 of them have to be turned every two hours, most are well around 300 lbs, the other two are climbing out of bed every 15 minutes... so your back hurts.

The pro-

1. You'll be taught critical care concepts, thinking and acting... it's amazing once you become proficient

2. Being a part of new trends, studies or technologies that are shaping our practice

3. There are many types of ICU's that specialize... a cardiac is very different then trauma, very versatile.

4. You'll be VERY marketable in two years

5. On most days you'll know your patient in and out, vrs just treating the problem area

6. As a control freak, I can see all 10 patients, their monitors and never wonder what's going on.

There are so many more of both. I can't lie, it's very difficult, will be stressful for a good year or two. I've been doing this my entire career. You can't regret trying:twocents:

RNforLongTime · Feb 8, 2011

I've been a critical care RN for 9 of my 14yrs as an RN. I got CCRN certified in 2006 as that was one of my goals when I decided to go into critical care. I admit I was deathly afraid of cardiac patients when I was a newer RN. I love the fact that most of the time I only have 1 or 2 patients(sometimes 3) but I am in a small community hospital so my ICU patients aren't as sick as the ones I took care of at the Level II trauma center down the street from where I am and most of my patient population would be on the floor (cardiac step-down) at that same hospital. I am looked up to for my clinical knowledge and skill at starting IV's.....I'm frequently asked by our nursing supervisor to start IVs on difficult patients and 9 times out of 10, I get that start!!!

You are getting a 1 yr fellowship?? TAKE IT!!! This is an amazing opportunity!! You will learn so much and will be amazed at how much you DO learn in a short amount of time!!

mskate · Feb 8, 2011

Critical care experience is a pre-requ. for many, many other specialties. You can always go *down* from acuity, but a good critical care unit is as acute as patients get.

You have 2 patients so you are able to get to know you patients exceptionally well, much more so than when you have a bigger patient load.

You work very closely with the docs, so you learn a lot as you go and you are more highly trained to do more for you patients. In the ICU, there is little that you can't do where-as when you work on the floor, you might have stricter limits on what you are allowed to do for your patients.

You have more opportunities for education, both family and patients. When you are in 1 room with your patients for 12 hours, you have lots of time to talk to them.

You learn how to fine tune each of the body systems and you gain a much wider understanding of physiology and pharmacology in the ICU because you are directly manipulating them.

You have a lot more freedom and independence in the ICU to just do what it takes to keep your patient alive through out the night. At no point in time do they get to be so sick that they are taken away from you to another unit for another nurse to take care of - you keep them.

Once you work in the ICU, it really opens your eyes. You just don't know how much you DON'T know until you work in the unit and learn it.

NaKcl, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2011

:yawn:WoW- I want to work at ICU~~!!!!! :yawn:

dtbrn09 · Feb 8, 2011

I started my nursing career in critical care almost two years ago and have to say I probably wouldn't still be in nursing if I hadn't. The original draw was that I would be able to really get to know my patients both medically and personally because of the 1 to 2 ratio. And lets be real, it's cool!!!

We had a 1 year nurse residency program that taught us all the higher level monitoring equipment and the procedural information that we had to learn and it was amazing. In case you're worried about if you'll know what to do, you will have more help than you want!!!

The biggest difference other than the patient ratio is that where floor nurses send their patients to procedures we go with them (except the OR). Not to mention the bedside procedures that we get to help with and even sometimes do!!!

As mentioned in earlier posts, not only is it a cool job, the information you learn will help you to work in any area of the hospital. Win, win, win!!!

Good luck with your decision!!! :nurse:

sunnycalifRN · Feb 8, 2011

This is for all who currently works as a CCRN or who is interested in critical care nursing. Why? I'm contemplating beginning my nursing career in critical care--SCIU/CTICU to be more specific. I was called in for a 2nd interview for a critical care fellowship program that orients, and educates you for ONE yr. However, I'm beginning to doubt that I "got what it takes" for this difficult position as a new grad. Any thoughts?

Congratulations!! I'm sure that you'll do fine. And, a one year fellowship is awesome, mine was 3 months. ICU is great because you get to use critical thinking all the time. Constant prioritization of tasks, always asking "why am I being asked to do this or that?" . . . and if the order makes no sense . . . hold off and check with the doc (who will often say, "Ooops, wrong patient . . . good catch" ) Always thinking ahead a few steps . . . if I give this drug, what may happen? If the dose is too much, what can I do about it? Best of luck in your interview!!