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by KC CHICK

OMG, I just finished my first weekend of orientation on the unit.....and I loved it! I don't think there's anywhere else in the hospital that I'd want to work after experiencing this. All the staff was helpful, relaxed, friendly and welcomed me with open arms....a very supportive environment. I didn't start the shift with seven patients, which is a big plus.
Even though they were "easy" on me this weekend, I can definately see where it can get hectic even with only 1-3 pts. My preceptor was very grateful that I was there Sat night due to two busy pts out of the three (one was a new vent admit)...the third was a stable. I took the stable one for her and followed her for the other two. I've learned a lot already....vent pts are nice. (Those that have had them know exactly what I mean, don't you?)

ICU ROCKS!!
Anne

[JMP]

Absolutely true. I would never go back.

I think ICU nursing is one of the best kept secrets in the hospital.

Welcome!

[KC CHICK]

JMP....that signature of yours is soooo true.

[Ortho_RN]

I am fixing to be trained as a Unit Sec this summer in ICU, which I am excited and scared about.. Excited b/c it will help prepare me some for my 4th semester, which is when we do our ICU rotation... But the thought of all those critical patients is kinda scary..


Please explain why vent pts are so good??? Got me curious

[Furball]

Diprivan is your best friend...."milk of amnesia"

[Scarlette]

Actually, I just escaped from ICU! LOL I enjoyed being able to spend more time with 1 or 2 patients but I didn't really like the supervisor, not to mention that a couple of the nurses that I was stuck with on my shift were lazy and down right unsafe. They would chart assessments that they never did and spent the entire shift doing anything but patient care. I got out of there as soon as I could. Aside from that, ICU wasn't too bad!

[New CCU RN]

Originally posted by Scarlette
Actually, I just escaped from ICU! LOL I enjoyed being able to spend more time with 1 or 2 patients but I didn't really like the supervisor, not to mention that a couple of the nurses that I was stuck with on my shift were lazy and down right unsafe. They would chart assessments that they never did and spent the entire shift doing anything but patient care. I got out of there as soon as I could. Aside from that, ICU wasn't too bad!

Gotta say this was definitely just one isolated thing. As an ICU nurse, I cannot imagine being like that!!!!!!!

Maybe one day you will come back to a different ICU... One where the nurses actually do their jobs!!!!

I definitely cannot imagine being in any other environment. While I like being able to focus on my two patients .. sometiemes one.. and give quality nursing care. I just can't see myself being able to do whta I want to do for my patients having so many. (Granted they require less intensive care, but still.. I just can't imagine...)

My hat is definitately off to any nurse, regardless of the unit..we all work long, hard shifts... and w/o the pay to show for it. We all have our strengths and our interests....

BTW... did any of you know that Diprivan can cause erotic dreams in the patients? It supposedly can also turn urine green.

[BadBird]

I love being a ICU nurse, I have thought about a change every now and then but I just can't think of another area that I would enjoy as much.

[zudy]

not me, I did ICU for 1 year till I finally got back to ED. I just about fell on my knees and kissed that nasty tile floor, I was so happy to be back.
Great thing about nursing, something for everyone!

[renerian]

I worked hem onc and when I got floated to the unit they only let me do vitals and I/Os. I did get in the front part of the burn unit which I did like though.

renerian