[sme_nurse]

I am a newly graduated BSN nurse with my first job in Critical Care. This is the only area of nursing that I have ever wanted to work. Since they are having such a shortage of day time nurses, I was actually offered a day position after only 3 weeks of orientation. I jumped at the chance, but I am a little nervous. The unit is very busy all day long and we get 3 to 6 open heart surgery patients a day.

Any advice on surviving the unit as a newbie?? I think I made the right choice though!!

[imnmk_rn]

Any advice on surviving the unit as a newbie?? I think I made the right choice though!! [/quote]

I also started in critical care and like you, felt it was the only area I really really wanted to work in. Someone just asked me the other day if I wished I had gotten other experience first and my honest answer was no. But here's the deal - you have to be open to learning every single day... ask questions, ask if you took the appropriate approach, seek out the people who are sensitive to the fact that you are new and who are willing to help. I believe I have learned the most on my day shifts - because like you said, it is busier, more procedures, etc. You know what else I loved about day shift? Picking MD's brains about what we're up to and why they ordered certain things. My one other piece of advice is to develop tough skin and accept constructive criticism willingly, but let other things bounce off you!

[cin1shot]

Originally Posted by sme_nurse

I am a newly graduated BSN nurse with my first job in Critical Care. This is the only area of nursing that I have ever wanted to work. Since they are having such a shortage of day time nurses, I was actually offered a day position after only 3 weeks of orientation. I jumped at the chance, but I am a little nervous. The unit is very busy all day long and we get 3 to 6 open heart surgery patients a day.

Any advice on surviving the unit as a newbie?? I think I made the right choice though!!

Seek out an experienced nurse who loves to teach and makes a great mentor. Pick her brain, watch how she organizes her day, interacts with patients, families, physicians and other nurses. Ask her to share her successes, failures, frustrations and joys of critical care. Read, never stop learning and enjoy the ride!!

[samaritan]

Yes, I agree..Be prepared to learn a lot...may it be brushing up on the theory, or attending classes or seminars, reading articles, self learning packets etc. I used to work ICU and I hated to look dumb, so if I see something that I dont understand, I make a proactive effort to learn more about it. Often times, the orientation packet or binder itself is pretty adequate and usually has literature on everything that you need to know to get started.
Good luck, You will enjoy it !!!
Samaritan

[DutchgirlRN]

I think it's a great beginning, you'll just have to jump in there with both feet and know you're going to be learning alot. Keep a notebook with you to make notes so you won't be asking the same questions over again and keep copies of the protocols in there also. Sounds like a great job!

[11:11]

I think three weeks is pretty short of an orientation. Usually they are about sixteen shifts or more and can be extended. Thats about five to six weeks if you are working three twelves a week.

The good thing about going into a unit that is desperate for help is you get shoved into the thick of it quickly. The bad thing about going into a unit that is desperate for help is that you get shoved into the thick of it quickly. Be prepared for some very hard work and fear. Ask a lot of questions, make sure you understand your Docs, run questionable orders(or ones you dont understand) by veterans, and post questions here. Get a good pocket reference like Mary White or a PDA.

If the unit doesnt have classes look around for one, maybe online or something. There are classess for RNs,RTs, MDs etc that are especially for ICU-CCU. They are usually a couple of days or so about "managing the ICU pt". Its better than nothing-

Good luck

11