[jspacegirl]

Has anyone had a "nightmarish" orientation/internship period in the ICU? There is a SICU internship that I want to apply for at an excellent teaching hospital where you will learn about and see just about EVERYTHING. However, I have heard some bad things about that unit and the orientation period, and that basically they eat you alive and spit you out! This is coming from nurses in other units at the same hospital. One person said that she knew 6 people who started the program and only one made it through. Another person said he knew 12 people who did it, and only 6 made it though. Those aren't good odds.

I'm up for a challenge and willing to work hard, especially since the experience will be invaluable. I'm just afraid that I might end up miserable. Especially since the program requires a 2 year commitment. Have any of you survived an awful ICU orientation and lived to tell about it??

Thanks!

[ukstudent]

Is there anyway that you could talk to some of these people that did not make it and find out exactly what the problem was for them. It could be something that you could cope with or not.

Rather than listen to rumor about the SICU's talk to people that have actually done the orientation/fellowship. Some have made it, ask the management for a share day and ask to talk with someone that has recently finished orientation.

Good luck in finding out the truth and if it would be worth your time and effort to go into this SICU. If not there are others out there.

[Bronx1560]

I remember my ICU internship period as being a very different atmosphere then being a ward nurse.

As for internship being “nightmarish”, I look back now & say it wasn’t that bad. It was ruff but manageable. It was nothing I couldn’t handle & sacrifice to get the knowledge I needed to be on my own & feel comfortable to care for critical pt’s. I was glad when my 6wks was over.

I think you should try it out 1st b/c what’s not so horrible for one person, may be horrendous for other. Especially if it’s a program you’re really interested in. Going in there with an open mind & a good attitude helps with the learning progress. Patience & just going with the flow helped me out.

It’s bad when you hear about orientation stories b/c they all sound the same any where you go. Nursing is so competitive in general, But I can tell you when it’s over you’ll be proud of yourself b/c of your accomplishment. ICU isn’t for everyone.

I’ll say as a preceptor myself. It’s not simple to teach someone when you’re trying to manage 2 critical patients at the same time & have to explain every little detail you’re already programmed into doing. This breaks me from my daily routine & time management skills. So also try to understand their point of view. B/C believe me you’ll be in there position after the 2 yrs are over.

Good LUCK!

BronxNY

[iheartcardiac]

I fortunately had a great preceptorship/orientation, so I can't really help you there. But the one thing that helped me a lot in picking between units was doing a job shadowing for a day/half day.

Talk to the manager of the unit you would like to go to. Tell them that you are interested, but want to see the flow of the unit and how people work together before you sign on and waste their time and money. (Make it all about what this will provide for them and it will go much better I think.)

I spent 5-6 hours on each of 3 units I was considering, and quickly saw how teamwork existed (or didn't in some cases), what personalities fit in with each unit, and how the staff treated each other. It sounds like that is the information that could make or break this tough orientation period that they put you through, and it will give you an opportunity to ask the nurses on the unit why so many don't make it out of the program. It's worth a shot, and may save you 2 years of heart ache and grief! GL!

[jspacegirl]

Thanks to those who responded!

I was able to spend a day on the unit during one of my clinical rotations, and found many of the nasty rumors to be untrue. Actually, they were true at some point, but new management has been in place for over a year, and the climate has changed a lot. I found the nurses to be very helpful and extremely smart and talented at what they do. I loved it there!

And so the next week I interviewed for the new grad internship and I got the job. Yay! I really have a passion for trauma/surgical ICU, and I am so happy and fortunate to be able to work at a place that provides such a great opportunity for learning this stuff. I can't wait to start!

[ukstudent]

Congatulations!

[busy girl]

you must be going through the same program I'm going through...sounds very familiar! I think you should wait until you've done your rotation through the unit to make your decision. I've figured out that some of what is said has to do with a strange competition between the units. Good luck!