Very new to neuro...help!

[MeTheRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Hi everybody, well it's official. I've just been hired into the neuro ICU as a new grad!

I personally can't believe it, but I guess they saw something they liked. The hiring freeze my hospital went into really helped me also

I would love some advice on what to expect. I asked about the census and patient population during the interview, they told me they deal with everything from head trauma to strokes and hemorrhage.

Is there anything I could do to make my transition smooth? I'm reading up on neuro assessments and pathologies, I already know some of the pharmacology from working on a CVSU.

But tell me about what sort of nurses should I expect? What should I avoid doing? Is there anything new grads do that really get under your skin?

What are neuro surgeons like? Are they as bad as cardio surgeons?

[fiveofpeep]

our neuro surgeons are much worse than the cv surgeons hehe

as a new grad in a surgical icu that deals mostly with neuro, my biggest kernel of advice is to religiously do your full hourly neuro assessments. a lot of nurses dont do it every hour but as a new nurse you cant identify small changes as easily as they can.

I have caught a patient who became completely flaccid on one side between one hour neuro check. Its very important!

get to know mannitol, hyponatremia, cerebral salt wasting, pontine demyelination, vasospasm, nimotop, antihypertensive gtts, propofol, NIH stroke scale

good luck and welcome :)

[meandragonbrett]

Neuro can be fun. Especially when it's a fresh unstable neurotrauma with increased ICP and hemodynamically unstable. Learn out ICP monitoring, NGTs, EVD management, hypertension vs. hypotension in the head patient. HHH Therapy.

Drugs include: Mannitol, Decadron, propofol, hypertonic saline.

Figure out why monitoring of Na/Osmo is important in the neurocritical care population.

Good luck!

[MeTheRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Well, I've been in the neuro ICU for a month and all I have to say is...WOW! I had no idea how much the brain affected all the other organ systems. I'm taking care of patients who have lots of cardiac and respiratory issues because of the brain stem involvement and etc. So far so good though, glad I have more time on orientation though. I just ordered the Hickey textbook because I really need a good reference!