ER vs ICU | A CNA's Perspective
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- I've been working as a CNA in the intensive care unit for the past couple years, but I recently moved to the emergency department. Here are some of the differences that I've observed. If you’re looking to work in medicine, this will provide some insight into which one might be a better fit for you. And if you’ve already spent time working in one of these units, leave a comment down below with what you liked or didn’t like about it!
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👨⚕️ WHO AM I?
I’m an incoming 1st year medical student at Rush Medical College & a Marine Corps veteran (0351). I'm also a nontraditional student. After leaving the Corps, I completed a business degree. But after failing to find my calling in the business world, I found myself back in the classroom studying the world of science & medicine. Working as a scribe & CNA in the ED/ICU confirmed my path to pursue medical training as a physician. I’m currently working full time as a CNA in the ED and eagerly await the start of school in August.
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If you would like to reach out, comment on my videos and/or DM me on instagram. I'll do my very best to respond to everyone!
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If you’ve worked in the ER or the ICU, comment below about what you liked or didn’t like! 👇😀
Nice video, and thank you for your service. I am both an ICU and an ED nurse. ICU techs work hard, and I am very grateful to be part of a team with solid techs. I've always described an ICU tech as someone elbows deep in a lake of diarrhea. If you haven't made a video about the typical tasks techs/CNAs are expected to perform in each environment, it would be a legendary video. I took a second job later in the ED, and I was surprised once again with how much techs/CNAs do: from bloodwork, EKGs, and general fast paced patient care... it's a lot. I agree, especially with it taking a strong and compassionate person to do that job for what it pays. I'm assuming you're a PA or MD student or retired and/or SC, because it's honestly too much work and needs to pay more. I think you summed up the different environments well. I was shocked with the pace and amount of ICU-level patients I would get stuck with on an ED assignment. What normally is 1 of a 2-patient assignment can be part of a 5-patient assignment in the ED. You're gonna be a great provider!
Hey Ryan! Thanks for taking the time to watch the video and to write out such a thoughtful response. It's always great to connect with others/make new friends in this journey. The respect & appreciation are mutual- nurses are some of the hardest working folks I've ever met & the ED/ICU environments are exceptionally tough. Thank you for everything you do. And thank you for the kind words. It really means a lot. Wishing you all the best in the New Year!
"Heroic" is right! I have a rare (ten per million) neurological disease and have had 9 brain surgeries. I've been sick all my life but started having brain surgeries at 22; I'm 35 now and will have them the rest of my life. Obviously I've spent time in many parts of the medical system, but with the surgeries I end up in places like ICU, Neurosurgical ICU, or neurosurgical floor. The people who care for me are certainly heroes in my book! And that was especially true in 2020, when I literally would've died if the medical staff hadn't shown up for work despite the risks of the pandemic and no vaccines available yet as well as less info on what helps or hurts with managing care til the virus runs its course, plus back then the strain of virus was more severe. In fact one of my nurses after my most recent surgery in October 2020 had just lost her dad to the virus, yet was showing up to care for me and everyone else. I was humbled for sure. Thank you for what you do!
This is a powerful story Michelle. Thank you for sharing your experience! It sounds like you have a really great mindset around all of this. I hope you are doing well and staying healthy!!
You hit the nail on the head talking about icu prognosis … honestly it eats at us more than we think/realize and this fact is never talked about but always looming in the background. Honestly I was in a much better mental state working in the er
Thanks Cam! Definitely a big issue that needs more of the spotlight. Thanks for sharing the insight. I hope all is well on your end
I love my Emergency; It’s gotta be fast paced and high stakes for me. ICU is amazing as well and if not for ER that would be my first choice but when I do my rounds on ICU as a CNA (I can float wherever at my hospital) and none of my patients (who can talk) or nurses need anything I start to develop an unconscious feeling I’m not doing enough despite this not being the case and the nurses always being kind and thanking me for my support. I just loveeee how fast paced emergency is and I love when I get the crazy stuff because it really shows you who’s made for it and who’s not. In addition, if you don’t know your stuff to the point where you can recall it relatively quickly then you can get into some trouble. Respect to all units and healthcare workers though, each and every individual and step to a patient’s recovery is oh SO important. Having a burning passion for helping people is always a plus! Thank you for your service to this nation’s health!!!!
Thanks for sharing your passion Nolan! All the best in your continued journey!
@@JoshKorzan Thank you for the kind words. Good luck to you as well, never let the workload bring you down or break your confidence! You’ll do great I know it- stay safe out there.
More videos need to be made from CNAs! I've been a CNA for a long time! Been in long-term!! Keep up the good work! Even in long-term I've seen a lot!❤❤❤😅😅😅😅😊😊😊😊
Thanks Sarah, will do! Keep up the great work on your end as well! 👏
definitely prefer working in the ER i just like active places and unexpected scenarios.
Definitely understandable. I appreciate the ER for this as well🙂
Don’t forget in the icu we get devices like crrt, Impella, baloon pumps, ttm, ECMO and more! Those make road trips much more snag risky.
Absolutely! A trip down to CT with an ICU patient definitely requires a high degree of caution-many wires/lines to snag on!!
I did my nursing internship in the Icu. Alot of details, busy, and no abused for sure.
I worked in the ER as a tech/ pt observer. Not as exciting as it appears on TV. Alot of pschy problem.
I think working in both provides great perspective! What unit did you end up picking?
@@JoshKorzan I prefer the icu. More intend/legit problems. Are you applying to med school, I'm doing a special master starting in August.
@@redpilledbachelor7776 Fair enough! Congrats!! I'm starting in August as well!
@@JoshKorzan Good luck man.
@@redpilledbachelor7776 Thank you! You too!
Another win, Josh! Great perspective. Thanks for sharing. ❤️
Thank you! Always love the feedback! ❤️
I'm a PCT on a busy tele med/surg floor. I got floated to ICU a few times....total snoozefest. I think I'd like the ER, I enjoy and thrive in the chaos.
Ya the ER was pretty consistently chaotic during my time as a tech. The ICU can be calm at times (unfortunately because many patients are incapacitated, unconscious, intubated, etc.). But it can go from calm to crazy in a matter of seconds. I worked ICU for most of the pandemic, and we had more crazy days than calm ones.
I'm a cath lab nurse now but I worked ed and icu as a CNA, ED is way more fun imo. So many more skills you get to learn. Lac. Tray set up, splinting, papoose, wound care trauma team mrmber, I could go on.
What was your first cna job? Ed?
@Jan-ky2fq yes I was a emt first on an ambulance, then I went into the hospital and worked psych then I transferred to the er and went to nursing school. Once i graduated I went into a nurse residency and right into the cath lab
Definitely YES! I totally agree 🥰
(Me: paramedic from ER &ICU Warsaw)
Very cool! Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment! Hope all is well in Warsaw!
I’ve never seen an ICU with CNAs….that’s awesome!
It was such an amazing learning experience!
I just got hired as A CNA in ICU and they're gonna show me around
@@aleahthiawilliams9506how is it? I got hired as well and start soon
Hi there do you enjoy to be cna in ICU im gonna start soon im a little nervous 😊
Thank you for making this concise video!
Of course! I’m glad you like it!
nicu NP and ER cns.. love both
As an LVN I was not an icu or er nurse. This was back in the 80’s. What do you do as a cna in these units? I loved medical surgical units back in the day. Everyone has a niche in medical care. I was a float and definitely should not have been in the er or icu
You pretty much perform the same duties as a CNA on the medical floors. But in the ICU, intubated patients require frequent repositioning and codes are more frequent. In the ER, I also did blood draws and splints.
Great video!
Thanks Eli!
I want to go from nursing home to hospital. I have other hospital experience (not CNA.)
Hell no for the ER it’s a hell hole 8 hours shift with no break it was mad and crazy
ICU for sure!!!!!
ugh I am so in love.
So handsome and love your journey/story!
Thank you! 😁
Hello and thank you for your videos I’m looking for some advice and sorry for taking up your time. I’m 52 and looking to change careers asap and always wanted to be a part of the healthcare system to be able to help people.these seem to be my options for least amount of schooling not for being lazy just my age and don’t have the time. What’s your suggestion, surgical tech, ER tech, CNA, medical coder, transportation services associate…thank you so much for your opinion and time
Thanks for reaching out. I'm always happy to help however I can. It's tough to say without knowing more about you, your specific situation, interests, motivation, needs, etc. I worked as a scribe and CNA/tech prior to starting med school, so I can speak to those- I actually made pro/con videos for both which can provide some additional information/insight. Tech/CNA/PCP/PCT are essentially the same job- the only difference is time and money spent on a CNA certification (not necessary IMO). You should also know that the pay for these positions won't be very high, if that is an important factor. I know you mentioned that you're looking to make a change ASAP, but I would recommend doing your research before jumping in, if possible- so you have a decent idea of what you're getting into- and to ensure that the new position is a good fit. If time is short for whatever reason, you could potentially take a job that's readily available and transfer positions/departments later as you gain more exposure and learn more about what you like. If possible, I would recommend getting some shadowing or volunteering so that you can explore different jobs and see what might be a good fit. Hope this helps! Best of luck!
Pros/Cons of Being a CNA:
ruclips.net/video/xfhxjrr69zs/видео.html
Pros/Cons of Being a Medical Scribe:
ruclips.net/video/bRM_ZGXp190/видео.html
@@JoshKorzan thank you so much for the response. When I say asap that’s the typical NY person mentality always go go go and Yes my plan was getting in at any department in the beginning and I can always move around once I’m in and see what I feel is the best fit for me I see here in northeast many of the hospitals are hiring so I will look into it. Thanks again Josh for taking the time to respond I really appreciate it and will definitely do my research….
What all did you learn in the ER as a CNA? I’ve always heard you learn a lot in the ER, like a lot more and it’ll give you a lot of experience for other fields. Is this true?
I learned a lot in both the ICU & ER. For soft skills, the biggest thing was probably communicating with patients. I also learned a lot from observing different members of the healthcare team- thought process, protocols, procedures, & asking questions. As far as hard skills, in the ICU I learned how to move patients effectively, i.e., boosting, changing bedding- this becomes more complex with patients connected to a higher number of lines, tubes, & machines. A lot of CPR as well. In the ER, I learned splints & blood draws, in addition to using the other skills learned in the ICU. I also got floated to the other floors many times. In my opinion, the learning opportunities are greater in higher acuity settings like the ICU & ER. It's difficult to summarize everything learned in a short paragraph, but I hope this helps!
@@JoshKorzan Thank you so much for trying to summarize as best you could! I really appreciate you replying back to me!
@@Flames_29 of course! Happy to help
Do you have to get ER certificate or you can you your CNA license
It’s on-the-job training. And you actually don’t need a CNA certification. There’s several titles for essentially the same job- nurse assistant, patient care technician, patient care provider, etc. CNA is the same but requires additional time and money for the course. I was a patient care technician/provider, but used CNA for the videos to make it easier for people to recognize what I’m talking about.
Do ER's shy away from hiring new grads for ED techs? I'm in a Cna program right now and pursuing a BSN. But wanting to work in the ER as a tech as soon as I finish my cna
I can't speak on every emergency department, but mine would train on-the-job. No major requirements- At least 18 years old and CNA cert. wasn't required. Our techs and CNAs performed the same job. The only difference was time and money spent on the CNA course. I could be wrong, but I believe we were paid the same (to my knowledge, pay was based on time-in-service). Either way, tech/CNA experience will be invaluable moving forward as a nurse. And I don't think you'll have any issues getting into the ER as a new grad (assuming they have open positions and you interview well). Hope this helps! Best of luck!
@@JoshKorzan thanks!!
@@Boots2Bike Anytime!
Do you get paid more in the icu unit?
My pay as a CNA was the same for both units.
How much you earns sir....
As a CNA, I was making about $15/hr.
No shot a CNA is making these video's lmaaoooo
Why not?
Icu is way more fun and interesting er is too unorganized
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❤❤❤❤❤❤good. Job. and benefit. health. care❤❤❤ 5:21