[piper_for_hire]

I wouldn't worry too much about all the politics and whatever. Just learn learn learn. I bet you'll be too busy with that to notice all of the bad things about ICUs. I'd even recommend working in a SICU after graduation. You will learn a lot and put yourself in a position to move almost anywhere after about a year.

-S

Originally Posted by Millit

This isn't a reply to Why do nurses leave ICU? HELP, HELP I am in my last semester nursing school and my preceptorship is in SICU, and now that I am terrified after reading the posts, could I possibly get some good advice on how to manage my time, what my goals should possibly be to get the most out of my 48 hours/ (4) 12 hour shifts that will benefit me the most.

[Ruby Vee]

Originally Posted by kenesha212002

I am a new grad and I work ICU. I resent some of the comments and generalizations that are being made about new grads. I work my butt off just like any other nurse in my unit. I sometimes feel like new grads in the ICU have it the worse because the experience nurses do not want us here and they think that we should start off in med-surg because we haven't earned our place.
I chose ICU because I wanted to think critically and build my assessment skills. After 3 months of being here I can honestly say that I have so much to learn and I am looking forward to it. ICU chose me because I am a good nurse. There were only 2 positions on this unit for a grad nurse. 11 of us started together. We went through a critical care course and preceptorships. Out of the 11, 2 were let go, 3 were placed in med-surg, 4 in telemetry and myself and another new grad are now in ICU.
I know that all the experiences nurses out there who work in ICU (or any other unit for that matter) did not come out of nursing school and know everything. So, why is it when a nurse becomes "experienced" she forgets that at one time she was fresh out of nursing school and was looking for someone with experience to help her.

I don't think any one has forgotten that we were once new grads. Nor do I think the problem discussed was that experienced nurses resent new grads. The problem is that if there's one experienced nurse to four new grads, that experienced nurse (who has the same assignment that you do) is expected to look out for and answer questions for all four new grads. While she's helping you with your atrial ECG right after helping Sue start a new IV and Peggy is waiting for her to come help troubleshoot her balloon pump, who is caring for that experienced nurse's patients? Experienced nurses are only human, we can only do so much. Please, please PLEASE think about that when you're asking your questions and before dissing experienced nurses. We're not mean, nasty or *******, we're just overworked and underappreciated!

[banditrn]

Ruby - you are SO right. I've always mostly enjoyed new people, because I've enjoyed teaching them the little tricks and such. But I remember one particular bunch - there were 3 of them hired from the same class at the same time, and they always seemed to travel in a 'pack' and it was usually toward me. Or they'd call to the desk and ask for me - to start an IV, which I soon figured out they weren't even trying. Put a stop to that - they had to try once, and have supplies laid out for me.

Or they'd bring a strip to me that, upon questioning them, was sinus brady, in the 50's. It just went on and on. The topper was the nite the pak hunted me down - one of them had to give .25 of a med - there was .5 in one ml. How much would they give? They had an entire sheet of algebraic equations written out, but couldn't come up with the answer!!

The thing was, they would be all done and ready to go in the morning, but I'd be running behind because I'd spent so much time with them. I finally went to my supervisor about it and told her they all needed more schooling.

[sldrn2b]

I totally understand where everyone is coming from. I'm a new grad in the ICU who had 6 weeks of training. In our sister facilities they require all of there people to go through critical care classes as well as basic rhythm classes. I havent had any of these. I start my basic rhythm classes in 4 weeks and I won't start my critical care classes until after the new year. I've signed on for 2 years at this facility and I'm already thinking what will I lose if I leave. I wanted to go to a facility that would give me a strong foundation but I that's not what's being delivered. I would think that in order to keep the retention they would want to properly train the members that they recruit yet that seems to be one of the requirements they lack they only want a warm body that will cover the shift and that's it. Quality of care is what is preached but that's not one of the strong points of their environment. Whenever, I'm in a situation in which I can't handle I simply cry for help because I know when I'm in over my head. This doesn't seem to make them change the assignment because their motto is "You're either in orientation or your not" This is obviously unacceptable but I frequently email my clinical coordinator to let her know where my weaknesses are so that I have something on record that she was notified in the event that something was to go wrong. Does anyone have advice for me?

[piper_for_hire]

I'd get out of there and go to another ICU. Even if you have a really low acuity unit, six weeks is kind of short. Should be more like sixteen weeks. Serioulsy, move on.

-S

[Crescent_cries]

I guess I have a lot to look forward to in the ICU, I am planning on going there. after reading the posts here. I am taking pre-requisite right now, but does anyone have advices or suggestion for someone who is planning to into the ICU?

Your advices and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[destiny5]

New nurses that start off in ICU will definately experience situations that they never have before...thus come questions & help needed. Although this may be overwhelming for the experienced nurses--- What would you have the new nurse to do? Figure it out on their own? I would venture to say that as soon as the new nurse doesn't ask and makes a serious mistake someone will say "why didn't you ask". A culture of learning and helping one another should be formed from the top down. I'ts not the new nurses fault that they have questions, or that the more experienced nurses are overwhelmed. I agree that something needs to be done, but it's hard enough as a new nurse to get through the day without feeling that 1. Can't ask questions 2. Aren't wanted nor respected by peers.

Also, I don't think anyone should be offended that "new nurses" or any nurse for that matter have goals of moving on to bigger & better (for them)...ie crna school etc. That's what makes nursing so great..you can go in many different directions.....

[PANurseRN1]

Originally Posted by Ruby Vee

I don't think any one has forgotten that we were once new grads. Nor do I think the problem discussed was that experienced nurses resent new grads. The problem is that if there's one experienced nurse to four new grads, that experienced nurse (who has the same assignment that you do) is expected to look out for and answer questions for all four new grads. While she's helping you with your atrial ECG right after helping Sue start a new IV and Peggy is waiting for her to come help troubleshoot her balloon pump, who is caring for that experienced nurse's patients? Experienced nurses are only human, we can only do so much. Please, please PLEASE think about that when you're asking your questions and before dissing experienced nurses. We're not mean, nasty or *******, we're just overworked and underappreciated!

This should be required reading before anyone posts another "nurses eat their young" rant.

[PANurseRN1]

Originally Posted by destiny5

New nurses that start off in ICU will definately experience situations that they never have before...thus come questions & help needed. Although this may be overwhelming for the experienced nurses--- What would you have the new nurse to do? Figure it out on their own? I would venture to say that as soon as the new nurse doesn't ask and makes a serious mistake someone will say "why didn't you ask". A culture of learning and helping one another should be formed from the top down. I'ts not the new nurses fault that they have questions, or that the more experienced nurses are overwhelmed. I agree that something needs to be done, but it's hard enough as a new nurse to get through the day without feeling that 1. Can't ask questions 2. Aren't wanted nor respected by peers.

Also, I don't think anyone should be offended that "new nurses" or any nurse for that matter have goals of moving on to bigger & better (for them)...ie crna school etc. That's what makes nursing so great..you can go in many different directions.....

OTOH, new nurses should also have realistic expectations of their preceptors/co-workers. We are people, too.

What Ruby said.

[Dalzac]

there is a couple of reasons. first management doesn't give a rats *** about the nurses and acuity. 2nd the patients don't care either. They aren't like they used to 25 years ago Now the pts. jusr wait to see if they can sue you for anything. Have gone to court twice for just nothing. (easily dismissed because I am a good charter)