ICU life Before CRNA School

utahliz · Jun 16, 2006

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ih8neuro · Jun 16, 2006

I got right into ICU after my BSN. Probably due to shortage and staffing problems, but i didnt complain. I started nights and within a year went to weekend option so i could take more classes during the week. Its been 3.5 yrs since then and the staffing problem still exists so i get my weekend pay(time and a half) anytime i work including any extra shifts. So its turned out to be a pretty sweet deal. I could probably work 7 nights a week if i wanted to and there hasnt been a limit placed on extra shifts. Im sure its not like this everywhere, but this is what my situation is.

Nitecap · Jun 17, 2006

Goto to the most intense ICU that will hire you as a GN. Dont be afraid to jump into the Mix when things are going to shiat. Study outside of work epecially pharm using medical not nursing pharm texts.

After a little less than a year when you start getting a little more settled in start studying for the CCRN. It will not only help you in your ICU practice but also improves your app to CRNA school. Try to advance as fast as possible. Try to take the sicker pts. Take as many extra courses the unit provides as you can such as device mgmt ect. Try to get certs to take devices such as CVVHD, IABP, VADS, ECHMO ect. These all look great on resumes as many people arent able to manage these pts. Good luck.

dep · Jun 17, 2006

although im not from the US , i worked as an ICU nurse in one of the hospitals here in the philippines... right after i graduated with my BSN, i worked as a nurse in the ward for 4 months and then after that i was assigned in the ICU... the administrator are really choosy in assigning staff in the ICU but i guess i got the job maybe because i am a graduate of another course... anyway, it just take guts for you to be in assigned in the ICU.... Good luck to you...God bless

roosevelt127 · Jun 18, 2006

I also started in ICU right out of nursing school - for, I believe, two main reasons: 1. My BS program was of the entry to practice (i.e. when accepted to the school you are accepted to the BS and MS programs together) variety so by default we are placed in units in the specialty area of our MS program (for me obviously acute care) for our integration clinical. And 2. Because I did my integration in my unit, the managers and seasoned nurses werea ble to get to know me over the three month period of my integration and see my potential as an ICU nurse, and be assured that I could handle both the volume of new information and technical skills that were required for the job.

I also work nights (praying for that day position to open up soon so I can be there with attendings and when many procedures are done to increase my learning) - for 2 years now, and I do get paid more but suffer from the constant frustration of having patients managed by residents, lack of resources, lack of staff, etc. that someone mentioned.

My biggest piece of advice: LOOK IT UP, and if you can't find the answer or integrate information straight from a book to the bedside (esp. with concepts like PA lines, and management of certain conditions), ASK. Don't screw around and pretend you know when you don't, b/c not only will you look like an ass, you'll have a poorer understanding and will be les respected by your colleagues because of it.

fungirl · Jun 19, 2006

I had to respond, b/c I went straight into the ICU after nursing school b/c I knew that med/surg just wouldn't cut it for me............Note that I had absolutely no experience in the hospital other than nursing school, so it was quite a shock, but totally doable.........I suggest going for it, your manager and preceptor will probably follow your progress and keep you updated............As for nights, I have worked nights for 4.5 yrs now, and it was much easier at the beginning. I feel starting out in nights is a good idea, b/c you have more time to look everything up that has to do with your patient, instead of spending hours down in ct or mri. I know people have said they like days b/c docs are there and they learn more.........But, honestly, the doc is only at the bedside for about 15 minutes. Finally, the best way to learn is to seek out high acuity patient with your preceptor whom can explain things to you, as well as you going home and reading up on the patient, i.e swans, gtts, injuries and accompanying surgeries, this is how the information will really stick, and the next time you see that patient, you will know what to expect the doc to order and what complications to keep an eye out for!!!! Extra shifts are generally easy to come by, but then I work in a Huge ICU..............Good luck to you and your anesthesia endeavors........Don't forget that it takes about a year for the light bulb to go on and fully start to understand and critically think through multisystem problems, at least this is what I have seen when precepting.............Just give it some time.........

In the next year I will finish my ADN and seek a job in an ICU. I don't really know what to expect life to be like in the year/s while I get experience and finish my BSN. What kind of experiences did you all have during that time frame?
Did you go right into ICU (I hear people say no way, and some ya sure no problem)?
Did you do Nights? How is that?
Did you take an extra 12 some weeks to help support a family / get more hours in the unit (can I earn enough to live o.k in the ICU).
I'm not trying to rush through anything, I just want to enjoy life until I get accepted however long that may be. I don't really know anyone in the position I will be in a less than a year from now so any thoughts would be great.

fungirl · Jun 19, 2006

I had to respond, b/c I went straight into the ICU after nursing school b/c I knew that med/surg just wouldn't cut it for me............Note that I had absolutely no experience in the hospital other than nursing school, so it was quite a shock, but totally doable.........I suggest going for it, your manager and preceptor will probably follow your progress and keep you updated............As for nights, I have worked nights for 4.5 yrs now, and it was much easier at the beginning. I feel starting out in nights is a good idea, b/c you have more time to look everything up that has to do with your patient, instead of spending hours down in ct or mri. I know people have said they like days b/c docs are there and they learn more.........But, honestly, the doc is only at the bedside for about 15 minutes. Finally, the best way to learn is to seek out high acuity patient with your preceptor whom can explain things to you, as well as you going home and reading up on the patient, i.e swans, gtts, injuries and accompanying surgeries, this is how the information will really stick, and the next time you see that patient, you will know what to expect the doc to order and what complications to keep an eye out for!!!! Extra shifts are generally easy to come by, but then I work in a Huge ICU..............Good luck to you and your anesthesia endeavors........Don't forget that it takes about a year for the light bulb to go on and fully start to understand and critically think through multisystem problems, at least this is what I have seen when precepting.............Just give it some time.........

In the next year I will finish my ADN and seek a job in an ICU. I don't really know what to expect life to be like in the year/s while I get experience and finish my BSN. What kind of experiences did you all have during that time frame?
Did you go right into ICU (I hear people say no way, and some ya sure no problem)?
Did you do Nights? How is that?
Did you take an extra 12 some weeks to help support a family / get more hours in the unit (can I earn enough to live o.k in the ICU).
I'm not trying to rush through anything, I just want to enjoy life until I get accepted however long that may be. I don't really know anyone in the position I will be in a less than a year from now so any thoughts would be great.

NurseHerms · Jun 19, 2006

I also went straight into the Cardio thoracic ICU after I got my BSN from the University of MIchigan. I got hired into the Cleveland Clinic, which is such an intense ICU experience, if you are into that type of stuff. Its a 55 bed open heart ICU, and they do close to 20 open hearts a day. I mainly worked nights for the first 8 months, then i switched to a day-night rotation. The nights were definately a good time to get your bearings and become familiar with the standing orders and to get to know the physicians. I think that jumping right into an ICU like the Cleveland Clinics is a great way to go out of school if you want to go to CRNA school.