New grad hired onto MICU, I need advice!!

[LillyBud]

Hey everyone!

I just passed my boards 3 short weeks ago and was offered my ideal position on the medical intensive care unit. I had precepted there for my critical care rotation. I had met the manager while there. After I graduated and passed my boards I called HR quite a lot and got through to them and the unit manager. The unit manager offered to interview me. 6 days later I was offered the position!! I am absolutely elated :) I can't believe it!!! But, behind all my excitement, relief, and pure happiness, I am pretty nervous. I know this is going to be hard. I mean, that is all anyone will tell you if you leap straight to ICU nursing out of school - is that it will be hard, REALLY HARD, for at least 2 years. It is as if nobody has anything positive or encouraging to say. And, while I do not want people to sugar coat things, it would be nice to hear that it is not all depressing and horrible. I am kind of quiet sometimes and I don't want that to get in the way. I do not want to choke in an emergent situation. I don't really want to drive to work with knots in my stomach and drive home crying. I know that I will go through those things, though. I know it is part of the territory. I guess what I want to know is; will it always fell like doom and gloom? How soon until those feelings diminish? Any tips for a newbie on how to gather a great support team around her in the MICU? I have a million and one fears in my head about being adequate enough to fill the shoes of this position. I know I will be a good nurse..deep down, I know it. I just don't want to let myself down. I need to succeed at this and prove to myself that I am worth a starting position in the MICU. I appreciate all your support, everyone. This site is a wonderful resource for when you need a little pep talk!

[ObtundedRN, BSN, RN]

ICU nursing is very physical as well. So be prepared to go home feeling like you've been physically beaten. Buy critical care nursing books and read them. There is so much to learn in the realm of critical care. Rapid Interpretation of EKGs by Dale Dubin is great for learning EKGs. Hopefully you're in an area with a strong AACN local chapter. If so, join! At the least join the national membership and read the monthly magazines, but the monthly local meetings can be really great too. AACN also has their Essentials of Critical Care nursing, its a decent resource. Kathy White's Fast Facts for Critical Care (or something like that) is a decent reference to keep with you on the unit.

There will always be things you don't know. Always ask! Its when you don't ask that you'll **** people off. And always keep your charge nurse aware of things. If your patient is turning bad, having procedures, is super busy, etc.

[rietan01]

I started out in MICU. I too was so excited but scared. I struggled for a bit. I would go home and think "today was a good day" or "what was I thinking". I have been there almost 2 years. I was on maternity leave for 4 months of that. It worked out. I love it!!!! Just ask 1,000,000 questions everyday! Don't be afraid of sounding stupid. Get involved in everything that is going on in the unit even with other people's patients. Communicate what you are struggling with. There are a lot of great days. You will have struggles. Get to know some nurses well that you feel comfortable even asking the stuff you think you should know. Congrats! It's a great ride! It is such a great job!