First week as new Grad in ICU

Published Mar 21, 2009

214 Posts

Specializes in MICU, SICU, CRRT,.

Well, my first week is done! really enjoyed myself, learned alot,and i think i managed to impress my unit manager and preceptor, as well as the other staff. In fact, my third day, i was pretty much given my own patient. Of course i had a preceptor there, but it was a pretty hectic day and we each took a patient. The one i took was a lady i had been with the two days before and i was familiar with her and her history. I was able to do everything, consults, procedure prep (she had a PEG tube put in), and pretty much stay one on one with her to keep her calm. She was trached the day before, long term vent dependant, and pretty much resistant to sedation,because she has been on so much. She is maxed on Diprovan, getting largeamounts of morphine and ativan hourly, dilaudid drip, and even diprovan boluses, yet still completely awake and agitated beyond belief..and pulling the trach out the whole time (even while in restraints). So...it was an interesting day, but they were very impresed that i managed to do everything consistanly and correct, take and enter orders, prevent her from extubating herself, and help the other staff when needed. The manager even called me in at the end of the shift and told me that she was very impressed, and that i had already proven to her that i was wrth the risk she took in hiring a new grad, because i didnt let her down..and she has never had a new grad with no real experience be able to come in and take a patient so soon. Of course, i will remain on orientation for 12 weeks with the charge nurse, but it is nice to know that they feel confident that i can handle it. So, all in all i am happy with my experience so far, and happy to know that, so far, the staff doesnt despise a new grad hanging around!!