u/AnnualSoftware50

Alright folks it’s between cardiac medical icu and cardiovascular icu. The CVICU is a lot more acute despite it being lv 2 vs lv 1. The CCU covers CHF, MIs, sepsis, balloon pumps, vents, CRRT, and occasionally post transplant patients (I've only seen one). Not a lot of swans or cvp monitoring so typically art lines. Some patients are on propofol but not all and precedex I've only seen twice in 15 shifts. I've probably seen like 2 codes in the 15 shifts also which seemed odd for an ICU but maybe they got good residents? Also we aren't allowed to titrated dobutamine on the unit and it's only reserved for residents. No vasopressin. The unit is like 35-40 beds I think. I've seen a couple bowel management systems. This one always has a bunch of residents, med students, and fellows frofe both pulm and cardio which I was informed would mean nurses have less autonomy due to residents doing everything

CVICU had ecmo, handles every cardiac procedure under the sun, impellas, balloons, ton or swans/cvp monitoring, everyone got propofol/precdex. The unit is 20ish beds. Every pressor is free game. They have one cards surgeon local and one local in addition to residents.

In terms of learning opportunities both units have great perks.

Thanks to everyone for your great advice and this will be my final post before selecting my unit. Please refer to the previous post for context.

Well I got the 3 icu offers with two just recently.

1. Level 1 cardiac medical ICU (impellas, balloon pumps, CRRT, vents) seems a little less acute since I barely ever see swans or cvp monitoring on the floor. I may be wrong though. 1:2 ratio, free 100% tuition after 6 months, $30/hr base. I trained in this floor and the preceptor wants to mentor me. Two people are leaving the floor for CRNA school now.

2. Medical ICU lv 2 with pretty much everything I said but the cardiac devices. HCA facility with up to 3:1 ratios, not sure about pay yet, and ok benefits. The patients seem more acute and I'd definitely see stuff on the daily.

3. CVICU lv 2 same HCA facility with all the cardiac icu stuff in addition to more pressors, and other stuff

Do you all have an opinion on where I should start?

I got a PCU offer in a neuro step-down and a ICU offer in a cardiac icu with medical icu overflow. The only thing is that the PCU offers about 25-30k more starting with a good base and relocation assistance while the ICU is $30/hr with no relocation assistance. The PCU also allows you to apply to the ICU after six months of working. The PCU is in a more desirable location while the ICU is in a high crime city. I know people say to immediately enter the ICU but the benefits of the other unit is desirable.