Why ICU is the "dream place"?

nitroprussideNlight · Dec 13, 2008

Personally speaking as somebody who just did get hired as a new grad in an extremely competitive process (only 2-3 postions offered out of 12 applicants.) I must say that yes it is a competitive place to get in, and many will disagree with a new grad going into the ICU, thats o.k. we all have our views and our entitled to them independently. But as for it being the "dream" place, to me is non-sense. You do have 1:1 2:1 and maybe 3:1 pt assingments depending on acuity as opposed to 6:1 or 8:1 or whatever you have, but you must realize these patients are BUSY! and are being given drugs and tx's that require the nurse to sit practically no more than 6ft away from the door. That is why I chose ICU, I would not feel secure on a M/S or tele floor 'cuz my hat goes off to them nurses because they can manage that many patients, I would be scared as hell with that assignment, I would not last on a m/s floor, but give me the unit and I'm cool..every nurse is different. I don't know whats so dreamy about it though it might be a pride thing, because if you asked me peds would be a dream job, which I almost did but as a young guy in his early 20's w/o any kids, I don't know how I could take a kid coding or being terminal.

Nurseboy1 · Dec 13, 2008

I started in med/surg and transferred to ICU after about 1.5yrs. For me I enjoy the complexity of the patients that I take care of. I mean right now I have an intubated, swanned, on pressors and inotropes needing multiple interventions patient. It was a big bummer for me on the floor to have a patient go bad and send them to the unit, I wanted to be where the action was, so to speak. I have learned a tremendous amount in the past almost 3 years. Not to minimize my floor experience, which was invaluable but I just really prefer the ICU.

Oh and about ratios, I have had slower days with 4-6 patients than I have had with some 1:1 patients.

RNperdiem, RN · Dec 13, 2008

Here are a few random thoughts.

In ICU I have 1 or 2 patients.

I get a more complete report on my patients.

When a patient is monitored(EKG, O2 sat), you can catch problems early; in med-surg, you might find a dead patient.

Doctors return pages to the ICU faster.

There is more control over visitors and visiting hours. No families are allowed to camp out in the room all night.

The ICU skills you develop are very transferrable and career enhancing.

chase4myheart · Dec 13, 2008

I've been a LPN for 2 years and hopefully will graduate with my RN in May 09. During my clinicals this semester, I've been able to spend a lot of time in ICU. I have to say that I simply love it. Of course the patient's are much more critical, but there's time to actually learn different procedures. The other nurses also have the time to show you some of the tricks of the trade. I have to say during my clinical rotations that ICU was where I acutally learned the most this semester. Hats of to ICU nurses. You really rock!

highlandlass1592, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2008

I often heard many people said" ICU is my dream place" and it's competitive to get into ICU in many hospital. I just don't understand why ICU is so hot, why so many people like to get in? Is it because it's relative less work load?

LOL I'd say the workload in the ICU is just as hard as the floor. It's complex, system based thinking. And I love every adrenaline-stoked moment of it. We do things in our ICU's that are only dreamed of in other areas. I'm responsible for so much....and I just love the challenges. Gosh I could go on and on.

VICEDRN, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2008

I think because the ICU is also a stepping stone to CRNA programs, Nurse Practitioner (Family, etc.) programs, flight nursing...Someone jump in and add the other graduate level programs that people go to after ICU.

Also, I think it has something to do with the CCRN certificate as well as the reasons mentioned above (lower nurse patient ratio, fewer visitors, etc.)

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2008

In ICU you get a chance to really know your patients. Critical thinking skills kick in and each system must be assessed and monitored constantly. So, when something changes, you'll know right away. Sometimes we run our butts off, and sometimes we can sit down and just watch the patient. But we have to do ALL of the care, there is no nures aid in my ICU unit. However, we do have time to do it. I love ICU. :redbeathe

RN1982 · Dec 13, 2008

For me, I love the adrenaline rush I get when I have a patient going bad and I have to hang a bunch of vasopressors or transfuse blood or I have a patient with chest trauma who just put out a liter of blood from their chest tube and now they need to go to OR. I like that I can think more autonomously. I like that if I need something, the doctors are nearby. I like that the doctors include me in the decision-making process.

Squeaky44 · Dec 13, 2008

I have worked in ICU and on the floor. I personally do not see ICU as a dream job. I found it to be extremely stressful. For me, the more complex procedures I was allowed to do and learn about, the more I dreaded going to work. If I had a non-intubated pt. I was always worrying that something would go wrong and they would have to be intubated. The more I learned, the more I worried. I finally went back to the m/s floor. I feel confident working in the chaos and I did miss having pt.'s who could talk when in ICU. I think it just ends up being personal preference. Now if I could work anywhere it would be the newborn nursery. Boohoo for me. That will probably never happen!

meadow85 · Dec 13, 2008

Yeah I'm conflicted because so far I have 1 1/2 yrs experience in med/surg and would like to pursue ICU within the next year. I think its a great opportunity to advance my skills/knowledge as a fairly new nurse, although I still learn something new every day on med/surg. Although I wouldl learn a tremendous amount in ICU, I don't think I like the idea of not being able to speak to my pts. On a med/surg floor I love getting to know my patient, but the work gets very routine and not as challenging at times. I see ICU as the a new big challenge, but would miss being able to speak to my pt and only work with machines ....

NeosynephRN · Dec 13, 2008

Yeah I'm conflicted because so far I have 1 1/2 yrs experience in med/surg and would like to pursue ICU within the next year. I think its a great opportunity to advance my skills/knowledge as a fairly new nurse, although I still learn something new every day on med/surg. Although I wouldl learn a tremendous amount in ICU, I don't think I like the idea of not being able to speak to my pts. On a med/surg floor I love getting to know my patient, but the work gets very routine and not as challenging at times. I see ICU as the a new big challenge, but would miss being able to speak to my pt and only work with machines ....

IF you think that the ICU is just full of people that cannot talk...well then I think you need to go shadow a nurse in the unit for a day. I NEVER have spent a day only working with machines. I may have patients that are intubated or have a trach and cannot easily communicate, that does not mean they do not communitcate. You will be amazed at your gained ability to read lips around an ETT, not to mention figuring out the million other way's theses patients try to talk to us. On a rare occasion I will get a patient that is truely brain dead...then they do not communicate. Even patients that are sedated have to be brought out so I can assess them, so I am communicating with them. I feel that I know my 2 patients better than most can imagine.

Then you have the family, can you imagine the communication skills it takes to sit with a wife who is holding the hand of her husband that is by medical definition dead...and yet we are keeping him alive. Or the son who is holding onto the mother that he cannot imagine life without, or any parent faced with the loss of a child no matter the age. Being the voice for that patient that cannot speak, or maybe even open their eye's or squeeze a hand.

These are a few reasons I love the ICU..between assisting with great bedside procedures, like chest tubes and central lines intubating and the excitement of a code. You are there for people, a patient and their family on what could very well be the worst day of their entire life. We turn patients around sometimes that under no one's expectations should still be alive...and for others we provide the ultimate healing and release from torment..by allowing them a peaceful and hopefully painless passing.

I encourage anyone to come to the ICU and see if you like it...if you are like me you will never turn back!!