Calling all new grads/new to the ICU starting Feb. 2013!!!!

Specialties Critical

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Hello everyone!

I'm starting this topic for any new grads or new to the ICU. I think it will be good to come here to compare notes, encourage, vent and support each other. I am extremely nervous and excited at the same time.

My orientation will be 10-12 weeks and my main goal is to be a safe and competent nurse. I start out on nights which I'm kind of happy about since it will be a little slower paced and perhaps easier to learn.

I will be in MICU/SICU, anyone else starting new?

Specializes in critical care.

Congrats etymed, RN!

FlorenceNtheMachine, I felt the same way about days. The one thing I've found, though, is that I get all night to figure out what the patient needs, then discuss it with the resident when they come to assess the patient in the morning. Plus if all goes well, there is a lull in the middle of the night when you can chart, eat and I take the opportunity to go over the chart and study up on anything I'm not familiar with. I was afraid nights would drag, but it is actually a nice pace and the time goes by just as quickly as days. My problem right now is that I sleep way too much on my days off!

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Etymed- RN!,

I'm glad I"m not alone worrying about nights. Its so hard to get quality sleep in the day where I live, so many trains, cars, dogs, and kids. I worry about sleeping with earplugs too, I don't want to be completely deaf to any danger.

I have never done CPR on a real person before! Was it so wild? Did you feel the ribs break? Was it a good outcome?

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KtLiz,

Thanks for your reply, I hope I end up really liking it too. I've done a lot of evenings/late shifts in my life in past jobs, but it was a different time. No kids, no pets, no husband, no outside responsibility other than the job/school. Just worrying!

How is your sleep schedule like right now?

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I'm also worried about switching to nights! But, I have no choice, so I guess I'll find a way to make it work.

I start Monday and the closer I get, the more anxious I am getting. It's really comforting to hear everyone talk about how much support they are getting at their hospitals. I had a great feeling when I interviewed and I'm anticipating the same support, still doesn't help the nerves!

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.
I worry about sleeping with earplugs too I don't want to be completely deaf to any danger.[/quote']

I sleep with one earplug in every night of my life and I've never slept better. And I'm not on nights yet :)

Every little noise would bother me and I'm a side sleeper so my husband suggested putting an ear plug in my top ear (which I originally thought was nuts lol). I still hear noise, my alarm wakes me up (and it's not any louder than it used to be), I hear the kids if they call out, etc. It just "mutes" the noises a little so I don't fixate on them and allows me to sleep soundly.

I'd highly recommend them to anyone with sleep difficulties :)

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Specializes in critical care.

I'm trying to stick to the same sleep schedule for my nights off in hopes that it will turn into a routine. Although, I have always been a "napper" so I go to bed with my husband around midnight and then get up after a few hours of sleep. That way I can sleep less during the day, getting up earlier in the afternoon and getting some daytime activities in. But if I worked the night before, I try to get to sleep by 9 am and sleep a solid 8 hours. Luckily I don't have kids yet... Just cats. :) I blacked my bedroom window out with aluminum foil and always keep a fan going for white noise. My biggest problem is the guilty feeling I get when I am up at night and sleep during the day, due to past experiences with Insomnia. So it is more a matter of changing my outlook!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I'm having some anxiety about starting nights. I know wah wah, everyone has to do it.

Just having some apprehension about how it'll affect everything. I actually like the hustle and bustle of days and having doctors around to collaborate with and helping to modify therapy.

Yeah...I rotate shifts every 3 weeks...although I have 3-4 days in between to get my body on a cycling sleep schedule.

I'm actually anticipating nights...that gives me experience in getting pts ready for pre-OP, getting use to off-shift routine, and anything else that may happen, as well as opportunities to really digest what I'm learning. My unit is Suuuuper busy, so I'm sure nights and days has no difference in flow right now.

I'm still getting used to everything. Going from a place or experience where I have been sooo far removed from technology (with the exception of my iPhone, haha) to back to the land of the living, I found my schedule in the computer system and found out how fast I was going to nights, and how spaced out it was, so I hope it's not too bad.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I sleep with one earplug in every night of my life and I've never slept better. And I'm not on nights yet :)

Every little noise would bother me and I'm a side sleeper so my husband suggested putting an ear plug in my top ear (which I originally thought was nuts lol). I still hear noise, my alarm wakes me up (and it's not any louder than it used to be), I hear the kids if they call out, etc. It just "mutes" the noises a little so I don't fixate on them and allows me to sleep soundly.

I'd highly recommend them to anyone with sleep difficulties :)

Also eye masks...still use them when It is a must

for me to sleep through the day or the night...

I may have some ear plugs left over from my trip...if not, I'll be headed to rite aid soon!

I am a happily notorious napper, with an insomnia issue for as long as I can remember...guess I was made for this type of schedule! ;) I'm involved with my neices and stepdaughter's activities, so I think I can hane the balance if and when the stork comes my way;) but for now, I can't wait to see how it all goes... One foot in from of the other...

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Hello everyone :)

Super excited to be starting in the ICU tonight! (night shifts of course:up:). While I'm not a brand new grad, I'm still pretty nervous! I worked on a Neuro floor for 6 months at a very prestigious hospital, got some brief PCU experience and now I'm transferred up to ICU! My life's goal essentially :)

I just found out yesterday that they were going to let me transfer up to ICU, so I haven't had *any* time to prepare. It's mainly adults, but peds do end up there - which scares me because I never had a pediatrics rotation in nursing school! So very exciting though! :woot:

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Hey all. I just stumbled on this thread and wanted to jump in. I graduated from an ADN program in December and already had an offer for ICU night shift. I passed boards at the end of January and started my classroom orientation on Feb 4th. I finished the classroom part and am now starting my 12 week on the floor orientation. Weds was my first night shift on the floor and I LOVED it. My preceptor is great and I know I'll learn so much from him. I love the unit and all the night staff. I was really nervous going into my first floor shift but it was great. I'm certainly still a healthy amount of nervous since I have so much to learn but I know I'm working in a great place and I should have a great experience! :-)

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Hi y'all!! I just got offered a new grad ICU position today and I am SO excited!! I read through this thread and have been taking notes on y'all's sleep aids/suggestions, as well as the various tips for preparing for my new job. Can't wait until I can offer more to this thread than just a thank you for your thoughts!!

:)

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Hello everyone :)

Super excited to be starting in the ICU tonight! (night shifts of course:up:).

! :woot:

How'd your first night go?? :)

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