New Grads in the ICU - Summer 2013

Specialties Critical

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Hey everyone! I am a new grad that will be starting my first nursing job in the ICU! I precepted in an ICU as well. This thread is for all new grads starting in an ICU this summer! We can compare notes, support and vent with one another.

Specializes in Trauma/Surgery ICU.

I agree, this was a good thread idea. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one stepping out of school into an icu. I'm going to a S/TICU for a level 1 trauma center. It's exciting to be in a place where I'll learn something new every day and be able to see so much, yet I'm scared at the same time. Family situations get notoriously ugly on this unit (gunshot victims and stuff). I also can't see myself knowing what to do in an emergency. When I shadowed there, my preceptor's patient was going into ARDS and she just knew what to do. I guess that kind of reaction comes with experience though. Really looking to starting there next month! I take my boards tomorrow... =/

I agree this was a good thread idea. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one stepping out of school into an icu. I'm going to a S/TICU for a level 1 trauma center. It's exciting to be in a place where I'll learn something new every day and be able to see so much, yet I'm scared at the same time. Family situations get notoriously ugly on this unit (gunshot victims and stuff). I also can't see myself knowing what to do in an emergency. When I shadowed there, my preceptor's patient was going into ARDS and she just knew what to do. I guess that kind of reaction comes with experience though. Really looking to starting there next month! I take my boards tomorrow... =/[/quote']

Best of luck tomorrow!!!

Welcome everyone! Congrats on getting an ICU position as a new grad! :) I haven't taken boards so I won't start until mid July.

Good luck on boards tomorrow arnwest! Let us know how it goes.

Does anyone have any recommendations on critical care books to help prepare us for our new ICU positions? The icufaqs.org site is a good resource.

Welcome everyone! Congrats on getting an ICU position as a new grad! :) I haven't taken boards so I won't start until mid July.

Good luck on boards tomorrow arnwest! Let us know how it goes.

Does anyone have any recommendations on critical care books to help prepare us for our new ICU positions? The icufags.org site is a good resource.

I actually bought two books with great reviews! Reviews state both a great for new grads as well as experienced nurses. Bought them on eBay, and got a pretty decent deal.

Check out:

AACN Essentials of Critical Care Nursing

Quick Reference to Critical Care by Nancy Diepenbrock

Congrats for landing an ICU position, and best of luck when you take your boards :)

I actually bought two books with great reviews! Reviews state both a great for new grads as well as experienced nurses. Bought them on eBay, and got a pretty decent deal.

Check out:

AACN Essentials of Critical Care Nursing

Quick Reference to Critical Care by Nancy Diepenbrock

Congrats for landing an ICU position, and best of luck when you take your boards :)

Thank you :D I will definitely look at those books you recommended! Thanks.

Thank you :D I will definitely look at those books you recommended! Thanks.

Anytime! Mine should be coming in on Wednesday.. I'll let you know what I think of them when they come in!! :)

Specializes in Trauma/Surgery ICU.

I got my quick results today and I passed!

I got my quick results today and I passed!

Congratulations!!! :)

The books seem awesome, btw! The AACN book dedicates the first 200 or so pages for new ICU nurses caring for patients regardless of diagnosis - covering what to do when you first get an admission (the must haves) going into detail with ventilator management, hemodynamics, etc.. The other sections cover a more detailed explanation of systems and what not.

The quick reference is a smaller book, but has system focused content in order of systems. Offers some nemonics, pictures, etc.. Covers labs, tests, and meds too..

Haven't dug into either of them yet.. That is just my first glance! I'm very satisfied with my purchase, though! I think they will be very helpful!

Cheers fellow new graduates. I'm kind of late to the thread, but I graduate Aug. 2 with my bsn and I accepted a msicu position this last week. My orientation starts Sept. 16. Until then I'll be reading everything I can get my hands on related to critical care!

Hi everyone! I officially passed boards! I start orientation next Wednesday! :)

Hi everyone! I officially passed boards! I start orientation next Wednesday! :)

Congratulations! :) keep us updated!

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