New Grad working in a level one Trauma Center...Few questions

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Specializes in Critical Care at Level 1 trauma center.

I just got accepted into an internship in Trauma/Surgical ICU!!! It is at a level one trauma center in Texas. I am excited but nervous to start because this is a regional trauma center, 200+ new graduates applied for this position and I was one of the lucky 20 who where hired. I know there are a million and a half things I need to learn but from an experienced ICU nurse, what are 3 or 4 things I should know going into this position? What are your opinions of new grads working trauma??

Oh and as a side note, to all the students out there... Don't let anyone tell you that your cannot do something! Everyone told me there is no way you will get to work T/SICU as a new grad! Dream big and fallow your heart!!!

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Congrats :) Sorry no advice, I'm not a nurse yet.

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Way to go!!!

That is one area I am very eager to working in once I graduate!

Congrats!

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Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.

Know that you can be let go during orientation.. Sad but true :( Go in with your ears and eyes open, ready to learn. Know that trauma's are not an "expected" event and the pt and family are devastated by it. Know pain is a major issue; advocate for pain meds and pre medicate before procedures like massive or deep dressing changes, baths etc..know your neuro assessments, know spinal precautions, know emergency meds used to increase BP,HR etc. I still keep a small card as a cheat sheet for my "go to" meds. Brush up on your BLS. Get a head start in ACLS. You can purchase a TNCC book to give you a better understanding of what trauma is and how it is "worked up". You can get a used one and certify later if you like it.. Shock is a huge part of trauma's, fluids and pressors are used a lot...

Trauma is a very team oriented unit, when a new trauma comes in chances are there will be lots of hands on deck to help. When you pt is heading south, lots of hands will be there to help.. I love trauma and I love my team :) You are never alone.

Plan on doing a lot of reading and researching outside of work. I still do it after 2 years in trauma but don't let it take over. Take time to enjoy your time off as well.. Never be scared to ask a question; RT, your charge nurse,other nurses, the trauma doc,surgeon other MD's etc are a great resource.

Congrats to you and happy learning !!!

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Specializes in Critical Care at Level 1 trauma center.

Thank you for the advice!!! I will definitely be getting that TNCC book. I have a 13 week internship that will be a mix of 1:1 patient care with a preceptor and critical care classes 1-2 x's a week. I know 13 weeks is not enough to learn everything but I hope it is enough to give me a base to work from. Also I LOVE the team atmosphere of trauma and I plan to ask about 10,000 questions. One more question, How long did it take you to feel comfortable on your own??

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Specializes in Neuro Intensive Care.

Congrats!! This is amazing to hear!! Critical Care is my calling as well!

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Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.

I can't really answer that question because each surgical case, trauma or critical care pt is different You will see and care for all types. Exposure is key..Timing will depend on how fast you pick up on the CC stuff ie: drips and vents, as well as the new grad learning of time management, prioritization etc.. I was not a new nurse when I went into trauma so that did help but I still had the other stuff to learn and still learning... I am comfortable now with most cases but I still have back up when needed..

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I went right into trauma ICU as a new grad. It felt as though I was 'home', and I actually never left; have worked in a lot of different ICU settings, but trauma is my fave - especially neuro.

Most important - drop your defenses & receive all critical feedback as it is intended - to help you develop your own skills and expertise. Be open to criticism & modify your behavior accordingly. Take up the slack by moving in to assist others when you're caught up. Be respectful. NEVER say anything negative about any of your co-workers. Sure, Suzy may be putting Joe down, but if you join in she's may be the first one to relay your comments to Joe.

Sure, you're concerned about the technical skills, but adapting and fitting in to the department culture is much more challenging - and far more important to your ultimate happiness & career success.

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That is awesome. Congratulations and best of luck!

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I wanted to congratulate you!! Such an accomplishment and I hope the future holds similar for me (trauma/ER). What hospital are you going to be at?

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Thank you for the advice!!! I will definitely be getting that TNCC book. I have a 13 week internship that will be a mix of 1:1 patient care with a preceptor and critical care classes 1-2 x's a week. I know 13 weeks is not enough to learn everything but I hope it is enough to give me a base to work from. Also I LOVE the team atmosphere of trauma and I plan to ask about 10,000 questions. One more question, How long did it take you to feel comfortable on your own??

Some of you have heard me tell this story before. I was several years out of school and had been staff in this fabulous ICU for three, and I was actually pretty good at it. One day I was in the break room with Sarah, a nurse of more than a decade's experience in the unit, one who could take every kind of patient that rolled up the hall, who was never flustered, always expert, always willing to teach and explain. I asked her when I would stop feeling scared when I sat in report. She smiled and said that every day before report started she felt a pang of anxiety, but that it passed when she started working. She said that when that little stab of fear went away she would have to go somewhere else, because it's what keeps us awake and sharp. I never, ever forgot that (and here I am telling that story again, smumble-mumble years later), and I am happy to pass it along to you.

Congratulations! This will be a great experience and you sound like you have a good attitude going in.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Thank you for the advice!!! I will definitely be getting that TNCC book. I have a 13 week internship that will be a mix of 1:1 patient care with a preceptor and critical care classes 1-2 x's a week. I know 13 weeks is not enough to learn everything but I hope it is enough to give me a base to work from. Also I LOVE the team atmosphere of trauma and I plan to ask about 10,000 questions. One more question, How long did it take you to feel comfortable on your own??
Will they be offering you a position after the internship? Some do not....and they can decide at any time during this process you "aren't a good fit".

GrnTea is right......even after 34 , soon to be 35, years in critical care, Emergency medicine, trauma flight....I can start an IV upside down in a car at 2am in a blizzard while maintaining C-spine and intubating......I still get that "Oh, Crap I hope I'm good enough" feeling in the pit of my stomach. I think fear of making a mistake, maybe not being good enough....gives you that edge to make you better.

I have never stopped reading, learning researching....trying to make myself better because for me..... anything less in unacceptable. I think TNCC is a BIG plus for trauma nursing and understanding how to care for a trauma patient. This is a multi-system injured patient that will encase all body systems at one time....heart, lungs, kidney, bone, head.....this is a specialized population that are critically injured and critically ill.

13 weeks is a good start....but there is much more to learn. Your first year after graduation is overwhelming in the best circumstances and as a new grad will be overwhelming at times. You will be a new grad and a new ICU nurse at the same time....while it is possible it is a daunting task you have ahead of you.

HouTx is right.....be humble and be willing to be corrected.

Most important - drop your defenses & receive all critical feedback as it is intended - to help you develop your own skills and expertise. Be open to criticism & modify your behavior accordingly. Take up the slack by moving in to assist others when you're caught up. Be respectful. NEVER say anything negative about any of your co-workers. Sure, Suzy may be putting Joe down, but if you join in she's may be the first one to relay your comments to Joe.

I have given you some references to study in the meantime about critical care in general. It will be a ton of hard work. You will need to be highly organized and focused. ICU nurses are very OCD and anal retentive to detail.....that is where they find safety. Here are some brain sheets that you might use at first to organize your thoughts.....or to take report on to get your thinking focused.

Critical Care Medicine Tutorials

index

http://drkamaldeep.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/iv.pdf

But still...have fun! Don't forget to breathe! Good Luck.....we are here for you!!!

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