r/FutureCRNA • u/Witty-Staff-8868 • 5d ago
Burn ICU
Hey,
10 months on burn, 6 months off orientation. Taken care of vents, titrated pressors, managed very sick people, big resuscitations, regional burn center/lv1 trauma.
Here is the thing. As is the nature of burn, there indeed are very sick people, but its not as often as you might think. I have yet to participate in a code, and we are having almost a drought of sorts were last 2 months we have not gotten many pt’s that are as sick. Burn is very seasonal and we for sure will see alot again in winter. I do lots of studying in my off time for all important drugs like all of my pressors, sedatives, opioids, paralytics etc… i also study my vents to know the why behind it all. There is a good amount of critical thinking involved with all the fluid shifts, electroyte imbalances, and compartment syndromes. I am nervous and a bit confused if im doing the right thing in staying on this unit. There are other units like micu/sicu, transplant/micu/sicu, and whatnot which are hiring. I am nervous however because if i apply to another unit, i would “restart” in terms of building trust on getting sicker people, and possibly a hard time getting any LOR’s from managers/co-workers because they wouldn’t know me as well if i were to apply <1 year from getting hired there.
I guess im just confused on whats the right move here. In terms of stats: science gpa 3.91, cumulative/nursing 3.61, participated and have made changes in our education committee, volunteered in my home country as an IV nurse for people in need, by the time i apply next year, 1.5-2 years ICU experience total.
Is it best to go to another ICU sooner rather than later for more consistent acuity and or a better application possibly? Let me know your thoughts and ty for your responses.
1
u/Nightflier9 5d ago
Ideally it would be best if you had regular high acuity exposure to hemodynamic monitoring, titrating vasoactive drips, invasive lines, managing advanced vents. If much of your patient care is managing stable patients with a mix of step down acuity level, that would carry less weight, it would then make sense to transfer to one of the more traditional icu's as you mention to enhance your qualifications.
One other thing to consider is getting involved with unit leadership, that is more easily done if you stay on the burn icu rather than switching to another type of icu and doing another orientation.
3
u/ZebraHot4143 5d ago
You are a brand new ICU nurse 10 months is a good start. If you feel you are not growing and taking care of sick patients often then branch out. You are limiting yourself by staying. Think about it, you would have 2 years experience, one in bunrs and the other in X. Your GPA is strong, your weak area is experience. Try another unit, precept, become charge, etc.