Can an R.N. just be PLOPPED into ICU to work???!??

[ShimmaShimma0304]

Alright. So I just started a job at an LTAC hospital. I have only been there a couple of days now. I was told just yesterday, by a smiling unit clerk that I will eventually be placed in ICU to work sometimes. Um... I have only worked med/surg/telemetry. I have worked on Step-down ONCE in my 15 years as a nurse.

I have also been told that sometimes they place LPN's in their 6-bed ICU. Granted, the LPN's are good and knowledgeable, from what I hear, but still... ???

My concern is: sometimes they have patients back there on ventilators. I was told that "You just call the house supervisor or respiratory if you get in a bind." What??!?? I take pride in my job and I don't want to work in an area that puts my lic. at risk. No one will protect my lic. but ME!! I need advice on this please!!!

thanks!

[rnlately]

I think you should explore it a little more before you freak out.

I occasionally float to ICU. I've never been oriented there, I'm a med/surg nurse. I've had a vent patient ONCE. There was an RT dedicated to the ICU, so she was there all the time, managing the vent. The charge nurse made sure I was oriented to the meds/titrations, etc, and was right there, available all the time for questions and help. Most of the time I float, they give me the least complex, most stable pts, and they always make sure I'm comfortable. I don't feel unsafe floating there at all.

Before you start reporting people or facilities to the BON or refusing assignments, definitely get all the info first.

In my hospital it's not uncommon for medsurg/acute care RN/LPN to float to ICU or other med surg floors. As you stated, they are assigned the most "stable" and lowest acuity of patients. I work in acute care/step down and if floated to ortho would not be assigned a patient in traction etc. I don't think freaking out is reasonable especially since the op doesn't know for certain she will be floated.

[TakeOne]

So long as you're not taking Brandon2011's advice :lol2:

I disagree. The OP was reacting out of anxiety and ignorance, trusting the word of a coworker who had no knowledge (and isn't expected to have it) of unit staffing. We all gave her good advice and Brandon2011's advice was no different from the rest of us who told her to get more information, conquer anxiety and embrace new experiences.

[TakeOne]

It's really OK not to reply if you don't know what you're talking about.

Brandon2011 actually gave good advice, but it was incomplete.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

I know the unit secretary type, just be glad you received a heads up. I have been pulled to many areas over the years. I would ask to see the policy regarding this. Also , most facilities have some sort of form you are entitled to file stating you feel this assignment is unsafe.Best of luck... and if it happens,, document,document, document!

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Brandon2011 actually gave good advice, but it was incomplete.

Again, a matter of opinion. His lassez faire attitude works for some, not so much for others.

[TakeOne]

Again, a matter of opinion. His lassez faire attitude works for some, not so much for others.

Again, I disagree with you. I found the "It's really OK not to reply if you don't know what you're talking about" supercilious and arrogant. Rather than take the tack of simply saying "I don't agree with you, and you don't seem to have the experience nor knowledge to advise in this situation," the poster just went for condescending snark and a response straight out of high school. It was unenlightening, unhelpful, that added nothing to the conversation and was less informative than the post she was responding to.

Also, that laissez faire attitude you're endeavoring to assign isn't actually here. No one told her to leave the situation alone and it would take care of itself. The poster told her to stop freaking out and to chose the opportunity for growth over stagnation out of fear. It's excellent advice, it was just incomplete.

[mentalhealthRN]

Talk 2 ur supervisor at once. I float to different wards here in Oz, but I couldn't go to ICU because I'm not qualified. Don't u need a diploma or specialied training in that area? Ur being every wise protecting ur license, because management won't give a fig if something goes wrong - they will just blame u. Don't do it, unless ur going to lose ur job. And I would also tell them u expect A LOT of support if u have to do it. A challenge is one thing, but risking ur license and patients is another thing.

Training like any other unit--just more to learn. But a special "diploma" just work there????? ummmmm no, not in NY anyways. There is the CCRN you can get-- but that is for experienced critical care RNs. A test you take to demonstrate a sort of expertise in an area. You can get these certs in several areas.

[nursel56]

And again, I disagree with you. I found the "It's really OK not] to reply if you don't know what you're talking about" supercilious and arrogant. Rather than take the tack of simply saying "I don't agree with you, and you don't seem to have the experience nor knowledge to advise in this situation," the poster just went for condescending snark and a response straight out of high school. It was unenlightening, unhelpful, that added nothing to the conversation and was less informative than the post she was responding to.

Do you know me? I find quite a bit of irony in the fact that you chose to respond to my remark to someone else with a personal attack far worse than what you perceive to be the intent of my remark to Brandon. I'm sure Brandon is a big boy and could have comported himself admirably even when faced with the formidable negative force of this anonymous person on a message board. In a later post I said that Brandon was probably right but not for the right reasons. I hope that makes you feel a little bit better about it.

[dianah, ASN]

please, all:

several posts have been edited to comply with the terms of service.

per the terms of service:

"debates

we promote the idea of lively debate. this means you are free to disagree with anyone on any type of subject matter as long as your criticism is constructive and polite.

personal attacks

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comment to the issue at hand, -- the original thread topic -- without stooping to sling snide remarks and insults at each other.

thank you.