Starting a new job in the ICU after 2 years of tele..... HELP

[BriRN]

Hi everybody! I've come here for some advice and/or reassurance. I've been a step down/tele nurse for about two years now. My hospital that I currently work at has made a ton of changes for the worse and long story short made it a horrible working environment that I knew I had to get out of before the lay offs began. I have a lot of post op day 1 open heart experience, so I applied for a CTICU job at the biggest hospital in this side of the state (everyone always told me in school and in my job that i'd make a GREAT ICU nurse). Now its seven shifts left until I start my new job in the ICU and I am freaking out about it. I have so much anxiety over how hard this new job is going to be to adjust to and I am worried I won't be good enough. Has anyone ever done a transition like this or felt like this?

Any stories or words of advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[ukjenn231]

It's normal to be anxious about a change. Everyone told you that you'd be a great ICU nurse, right? Why did they say that? Remind yourself of your strengths as a nurse. Then maybe consider your weaknesses so you will know what to focus on. I am assuming that this CTICU has a solid orientation program, they obviously don't expect you to know it all walking through the door. So try to stay calm, don't psych yourself out, and take full advantage of this opportunity! Congrats!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

no one became a great ICU nurse overnight. You will not be expected to know it all when you start. It is a process. Give yourself a chance!

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

I made exactly that same move. You have experience in anything ICU can throw at you, with LESS patients.

A new facility and new co-workers can be daunting, focus and try to relax,,, the anxiety makes it worse.

Good luck.