merry christmas to me... 1st shift off orientation

Specialties Critical

Published

Specializes in Critical care.

Well, it's Christmas, and not only am I working it, it will be my first shift off of orientation! Ahhhhh!

I am trying to think positively but I'm kinda freaked. My orientation went fine, stuck to the schedule and didn't have to have any extra weeks or whatnot. I've been relatively independent for weeks now, doing pt care on my own and only asking minor questions of my preceptor about things I haven't seen before. I think they like me, I've had a lot of people tell me I will be fine. It doesnt feel like it!

My very last night of being an orientee, we had a pt admitted for cardiac arrest who had acheieved ROSC and was being put on hypothermia protocol... I wasn't very independent that night because I had never had a hypothermia pt and wasn't sure what all was involved. Learned a lot though, and I think I could tough it out if one came my way again. I did do a lot of it on my own, from getting consents filled out for her ART line and central line to calling the resident... then calling again... then the last time... to get him to come put in the central at 3am... it felt like I did a good job but if I get another pt with something else I've never seen before, I'm definitely going to be asking for help. It feels like there is always going to be something new I haven't seen before, and I won't have any way of knowing unless I ask.

Anyways. I utterly failed at taking my pre-nightshift nap today because I am too wound up thinking about tonight. I guess I will be living on a prayer and a lot of caffeine tonight! Please tell me it gets less nerve-wracking...

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The antidote to anxiety is preparedness. Continue to soak up knowledge and work on other certs (ie TNCC and CCRN) while working there. If your level headed and handle stress well you will do okay. If you don't know please always ask your charge for help. Mistakes in the ICU can be disastrous for the patient. Good luck!

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You will eventually learn to relax. After a while you will see that, for the most part, it will all become routine to you. You will memorize most of the protocols, and you will be seeing most of the same types of cases again and again.

Leave work at work. Enjoy your family and friends and your life.

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