Calling all new grads/new to the ICU starting Feb. 2013!!!! - Page 7

Congrats!!! What type /size icu
Will you be in?

CPR... I have never had to do it on my own patient. All my patients that have passed have been transitioned to comfort care or at least DNR. I've been to other codes on the unit, though... I've even gotten multiple compliments on my compressions, including, "That was impressive" and that my compressions were better than some of the men's. Haven't felt the ribs break though, I guess because they are all broken by the time I get there. The thing that struck me most is when I heard people joking and laughing (not about the patient of course, and with no family present), just trying to keep morale up. There is no way to stay deadly serious when you deal with horrific things all the time. Just some musings from my psych-major brain.

There is a patient who sends my unit a "thanks for saving my life" cake every year on the date that he coded. I was floored when I heard that... I can't wait to see a patient that we coded fully recover. To be honest, I am currently experiencing some moral distress about some of the things we put people through even when the prognosis is abysmal. I need a really good outcome to boost my spirits, lol.

They said my compressions needed some work in the debriefing, which doesn't surprise me. lol

That's awesome about the cake that patient sends

and Florence, it was a pretty surreal experience (made more surreal by the fact that it was only like 0745, and I'd just woken up a little before). Another nurse started compressions, so I didn't hear any ribs break during my compressions. I'm not sure any did break, though. And yes, it was a good outcome: we got him back and he was stable clear up to shift change!


Welcome to the thread everyone! It's nice to see so much activity

Update: I survived the first shift! I have a fabulous preceptor, and all of the other nurses were incredibly helpful - pulling me into rooms to see interesting things, giving good tips, showing me the resources available on the unit. My preceptor had us assigned to 2 easier patients so I wouldn't be running around like a chicken with my head cut off, not understanding/"digesting" what was going on. Tonight we'll be taking more critical patients - I'm very excited! Will update again soon

One 12 hour night shift down, 5 more to go! Can't wait to see where I'll be as far as my comfort level on Tuesday night compared to tonight.

Hope you all are doing well! ICU is an awesome unit!

What did y'all study/ review to prepare for your new grad icu jobs?? I have a little over a month before I start and want to be prepared for anything. Any suggestions on where's to start?

What did y'all study/ review to prepare for your new grad icu jobs?? I have a little over a month before I start and want to be prepared for anything. Any suggestions on where to start?

I have an orientation binder, which goes through commonly used meds, tips, etc...I'm also going through hemodynamic monitoring, ABGS, Neuro, Resp/Vent sepsis, shock in my critical care nursing secrets book (4th Ed).

I'm also going to get the Kathy White app for my iPhone, which I found through suggestions on a thread for good CC apps, and a Pedi CC book from Amazon as well.



My preceptor's schedule changed, so I start my full orientation shift on Tuesday. I will start out with one pt on step down and go from there. The four hours I was there yesterday was a great intro period. I was on the ICU side, so I got to talk to a ECMO nurse, and watch aspects of the therapy, respiratory therapists, nurses, and got a feel for the unit...lots of exposure to teaching amongst complex care, and an enthusiasm to teach. It helped with my nervousness, the doubt, etc. It has me focused.

I'm making sure I am prepared when I get in the floor. My preceptor expects me to be on the floor at 6:30 to prep for my pt...like clinicals all over lol...but I respect her reasoning to get me prepared to get report and be in my pt's room by 7am, then shift huddle, then hourly rounds, meds, care, and treatments.

I also have a small notebook to condense some important tools I'll need, like formulas in calculating weight based and unit based dosing, process of med check, hand off, SBAR, etc. then I will add to the notebook. I am able to look up policies and procedures due to limited remote access to their intranet, which is really great, so I won't feel overwhelmed by the whole experience. I'll glance over the info, and compare my orientation info, and go from there.

If anything, I read a critical thinking book my instructor from PN school gave me many moons ago. It refreshed me on a lot of info. I'm adding it to read along with my orientation info...I'll get it all in within the week!

Thank you so much for your suggestions, LadyFree28. I am hired into a new grad training program with classroom educational time built in, but want to prepare as much as possible since I'm not entirely sure what to expect yet. I like your (and your preceptor's) idea of getting there early, like we did for clinicals, so I'll be ready to go when change of shift happens.

Good luck as you begin your career!!

So excited to be on this forum and hear all of y'all's stories and support!