Shadowing in ICU.

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in General Surgery.

Hello everyone, I'm a nurse with 1.5 years in general surgery. I will be shadowing/cross training in the surgical ICU at my facility in December. Ultimately this experience is to obtain a true taste of SICU, but I also want to be prepared. Should I speak to my manager directly and ask if they have a list of the most common pressors etc?

I am so freaking excited for this opportunity. 😊☺😀

I'll take ANY advice. ICU nurses give me some wisdom please!

Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

My unit provides new nurses with mini "cheat sheets" for pressors for their reference (what rate to start at, how much to titrite by, and the effects of titrating up) they may have that or they may not, but I can't imagine it would hurt to ask.

To be prepared for SICU, refresh your knowledge on labs/pressors (uses, mech of action, what can mix, titration levels, effects on vitals, adverse effects)/vent settings, and ask about patient population. I'm cardiac ICU so I'm not sure how SICU compares and it differs from facility to facility anyway... but if you have questions once you start I'd be happy to help you out.

You could also simply ask, "what should I refresh my knowledge on to be best prepared for this position?" or something along those lines.

Oh! Know your ACLS algorithms.

Youtube will be your friend.

Good luck!

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Specializes in General Surgery.

Thanks so much. I got my ACLS recently and I'll DEF review ACLS algorithms.

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