Is ICU too challenging for new grads?

[yoginurse2b]

Hi,

I will be graduating this December from an ADN program. I've spoken to many nurses recently about working in ICU but got different opinions on it. I'm really interested in working in ICU because I believe it's a place for me to grow and learn more about critical pts. My goal is to advance my nursing career in education, and hopefully go into advance nursing practice such as NP or Clinical Nurse Specialist. Some of the nurses discourage me to go into ICU, stating that I'm setting myself "up for failure". I wonder if that's true. Is it that difficult for new grads? I've heard many ICU nurses started in ICU itself.

Please advice. Thanks in advance!

[thegreenmile]

My opinion is that ICU is very "technical" with all of the equipment you operate. There is a phase in the care of the ICU pt that may seem somewhat impersonal, as many pts are either heavily sedated or comatose. But on the upside, you are a huge support for family and friends, growing very close to them as you are the valiant protector monitoring the most basic functions for survival, you become the lifeline to their loved one's status and progress or lack there of. It's intense.....there is so much emotion! It was too draining for me as a new grad, but again, it really depends on your personality traits and preferences. Try it on, see if it fits, if not you've lost nothing and gained soooo much. Thats the beauty of the autonomy of nurses. Wishing you all the best in your path of nursing.....