Posted on Oct 15, 2021
As a Reservist, does PACU keep up my skills for 66S? Should keep a PRN ICU job until my contracted obligation is up?
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Would like a link to a written policy or source stating PACU is valid if possible. I cannot find anything concrete, but was told PACU falls under critical care. 66S & 66T have to submit skills checkoff or proof of board certification every 2 years now. I do not have CCRN - it wasn't required when I commissioned & not able to sit for it now that I've transitioned out of ICU for my full time/CIV job. I'm 4.5 years into my 8 year contract. If I have to reclass to 66H is my sign on bonus subject to recoupment?
Posted in these groups: AMEDD Recruiter66S: Critical Care NurseCredentialing
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Responses: 2
I have never seen an Army policy that states what is and what is not valid for ICU. The professional organizations are relied upon heavily and I recommend you research AACN: https://www.aacn.org
The most important thing at the end of the day is if we sent you off tomorrow to a busy ICU, can you manage? If you were given two patients tomorrow with pressers, a vent, and six channels, can you do it? You have been an RN at least four years and know as well as I the people that will judge you the harshest are other RNs.
I honestly do not see why you could not sit for the CCRN and preparing for it would be a great review. You just need someone to vouch for you and yes there is an hour requirement, however you do hold a 66S MOS. Per the US Army you are an ICU RN. It tells me you are a good person that you are aware of the requirements AACN states to hold your CCRN however nothing in nursing is black and white and again at the end of the day, do you feel that you meet the standards to be an ICU RN and 66S?
The most important thing at the end of the day is if we sent you off tomorrow to a busy ICU, can you manage? If you were given two patients tomorrow with pressers, a vent, and six channels, can you do it? You have been an RN at least four years and know as well as I the people that will judge you the harshest are other RNs.
I honestly do not see why you could not sit for the CCRN and preparing for it would be a great review. You just need someone to vouch for you and yes there is an hour requirement, however you do hold a 66S MOS. Per the US Army you are an ICU RN. It tells me you are a good person that you are aware of the requirements AACN states to hold your CCRN however nothing in nursing is black and white and again at the end of the day, do you feel that you meet the standards to be an ICU RN and 66S?
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I have been an ICU nurse for 8 years now - only have been in the USAR for the last 3.5 yrs of that. I stepped away in February after completing my last travel contract. Working as a travel nurse & also being MOB to some of the worst COVID areas last year, I now have PTSD and anxiety when thinking of going back to ICU. (I was having nightmares of patients I had coded and couldn't save & getting physically sick/nauseous, migraines, heartburn, GI upset when getting ready to report to work.) I decided to try PACU for a subsequent contract. It was better, but ultimately I accepted my current job working for a laser hair removal clinic. I don't know yet if this is "IT" for me, but I do know that I needed to step away from ICU/COVID/acute care setting for the time being. This beingvsaid, I have no desire to pay for and take the CCRN at this time. Primarily because [at this time] I don't see myself staying/returning to ICU in the long run. In addition, my current employment/role offers no incentive for obtaining it.
Do I feel I meet the standards to be in ICU if MOB again? Yes, I do. However, the bigger question is: Do I want to? When I commissioned, I signed on as a Sierra for 8 yrs in exchange for 2 incentives I elected to receive. I am a person of my word; I will keep up my end of the contract. However, in 3.5 more years when my contract is up, I have to make a hard decision: Do I continue to serve as a sierra or reclass to hotel?...Do I want to be a hotel and MOB/DEP as a med/surg nurse? ...or is it time to separate permanently and just do what I need to do personally? (The last option stings a little because my intention was to stay in my 20 for benefits/retirement. Separation feels like defeat or quitting to me & I've never been a quitter.)
In the meantime, I'm trying to do what is best for my mental health while still holding up my obligation to the Army. Many PACUs recover ICU patients (including the last one I contracted for), so I was still managing vents, pressors, art lines, drains, and sedation. The bonus was that it was rare to get a COVID+ patient since they aren't getting surgeries unless it's a life saving measure. Therefore my PTSD/anxiety was better since we weren't coding & losing patients on a daily basis. I realized that this may be the best way for me to maintain skills until I'm able to return to ICU full time again - or able to cut ties altogether. I just want to be sure it is acceptable.