[TJPalone]

I just got a postion as an icu nurse Im so excited I could have went directly into the icu but I wanted med surg experience first now I had a year of med surg I cant wait to be in the icu I was an aide in the icu but being an RN anyone have any advice what I should brush up on?
Thanx TPalone RN

[meandragonbrett]

icufaqs.org is a good starting point for foundational ICU stuff.

[sirI]

Check out this thread in the CCU forum for helpful links (includes the link above, too ):

Helpful Information for the Unit

Good luck with your new position.

[TJPalone]

thanks I will check those sites out definitly

[hotomalis]

Iris, do you realize how much help this was? You have been thanked twice on my behalf. You're the best.
By the way, I saw your credentials and saw Forensics in your experience. I'm starting a MSN in CNS forensics at Quinnipiac University. Any advise?

[msaaaz]

i am also new icu staff,and i think that it importent to read more about the cases you will see. with my best wishes

[sirI]

Originally Posted by hotomalis

Iris, do you realize how much help this was? You have been thanked twice on my behalf. You're the best.
By the way, I saw your credentials and saw Forensics in your experience. I'm starting a MSN in CNS forensics at Quinnipiac University. Any advise?

Thank YOU, hotomalis, for the kind words.

The forensic program at Quinipiac looks very impressive. Hope you keep us up-to-date with your studies. If you will, post in the Forensic Nursing when you can about your studies. Will be good to keep up!!

Have you shadowed an ME/coroner? You might enjoy this. When I was initially interested, I did this and came away with excellent information that I apply in my LNC practice. Considered running for coroner this last election, but did not for various reasons not associated with the job. Also, am with an organ procurement organization.

Where do you currently work (specialty area)? When will you be finished with the program?

Good luck with your program and please come to the Forensic forum when you can.

[deeDawntee]

Congratulations!! Are you going through an ICU course? Hopefully you are as you should get lots of information there.

I'd say take a look at the Sepsis Protocol at your hospital, it will give you a lot of insight into ICU nursing. Learning how sepsis can progress from an infection to SIRS to Multi-organ failure is fascinating and you will see why we do the things we do to treat it. In the same vein (no pun intended) learn about ARDS and acute renal failure, both very common in ICU.

Get yourself a good pocket guide, one that is very popular is Kathy White's book. Or better yet, if you can afford it, get a PDA. (Remember it's a deduction)! Do you have a decent stethoscope?

I've been in ICU for about a year, so I still am in that excitement stage too! Good luck and have fun!!

[TJPalone]

they have an icu course right at the hospital, which includes all the meds acls cardiac monitoring ect.

[andigirl]

hi ,

I am also a new ICU nurse. I have been a nurse for a long , long time. Most of my experience has been as an E.R. nurse. I am just ready for a change. I just completed a 2 month long critical care course, now I just need to update ACLS and I'm ready. I am curious , are critical care nurses receptive and eager to teach new nurses? Is there an opinion as to whether the "critical care" course will prepare me to work in ICU?