[Hoozdo]

Hello all ICU nurses,
I am about to be a new grad RN and will be a preceptee, (AKA practicum), in ICU for a period of 108 hours. This is a unit that also is cardiac ICU in an aprrox. 250 bed hospital. I love ICU and am excited to start in ICU.

I am a go-getter, very empathetic with patients and families, and ask questions. Do any of you have advice for me? I really don't want to be a PIA for my preceptor. I realize there is A LOT to learn in ICU. I plan to study up on Swann-Ganz catheter and A-lines before I start. Any more suggestions?
Thx in advance
Lu Ann

[papawjohn]

Hey Lu Ann!!!

I'm glad you are looking forward to ICU/CCU nursing. It's been a fabulous and interesting thing for me to do for 25yrs. Your attitude makes me think you'll do great as a Preceptee and as a staff RN pretty soon.

You can imagine that the usual good advise applies: ask questions, be willing to pitch in and help, etc etc.

The best ICU nurses have a way of dealing with their Pts needs for succor and comfort--their emotional needs--and at the same time keeping the biology and lab results and medical facts in the front of their minds. Her PADiastolic is thus and so, she wanted more ice water---all running together in one seamless smooth beautiful process. It's a work of art when done right--and you can create it every day that you work.

Learn, enjoy, create.

Yer Ol'
Papaw John

[Hoozdo]

Originally Posted by papawjohn

Hey Lu Ann!!!

I'm glad you are looking forward to ICU/CCU nursing. It's been a fabulous and interesting thing for me to do for 25yrs. Your attitude makes me think you'll do great as a Preceptee and as a staff RN pretty soon.

You can imagine that the usual good advise applies: ask questions, be willing to pitch in and help, etc etc.

The best ICU nurses have a way of dealing with their Pts needs for succor and comfort--their emotional needs--and at the same time keeping the biology and lab results and medical facts in the front of their minds. Her PADiastolic is thus and so, she wanted more ice water---all running together in one seamless smooth beautiful process. It's a work of art when done right--and you can create it every day that you work.

Learn, enjoy, create.

Yer Ol'
Papaw John

Thanks for the advice Papaw John, I always enjoy your postings. I am now complete with my preceptorship in ICU and I loved every second of it! I think I will work in transplant for about a year, (had already accepted a job before my preceptorship), and then go work in the ICU. I can't think of a more interesting and mentally challenging field of nursing to enter

[oldiebutgoodie]

Originally Posted by papawjohn

Hey Lu Ann!!!

I'm glad you are looking forward to ICU/CCU nursing. It's been a fabulous and interesting thing for me to do for 25yrs. Your attitude makes me think you'll do great as a Preceptee and as a staff RN pretty soon.

You can imagine that the usual good advise applies: ask questions, be willing to pitch in and help, etc etc.

The best ICU nurses have a way of dealing with their Pts needs for succor and comfort--their emotional needs--and at the same time keeping the biology and lab results and medical facts in the front of their minds. Her PADiastolic is thus and so, she wanted more ice water---all running together in one seamless smooth beautiful process. It's a work of art when done right--and you can create it every day that you work.

Learn, enjoy, create.

Yer Ol'
Papaw John

Hi, Papaw,

Could you please come and precept me!!? You are obviously the cream of the crop! Thanks for all your supportive and informative postings!

Oldiebutgoodie