Any tips for this new grad ICU RN?

hollyster · Jul 4, 2005

Ask a lot of questions. :)

laurenD · Jul 5, 2005

I started as a new grad in the ICU 6 months ago. I posted a few tips in the New Grad forum not too long ago:

2) There is nothing that you can do to your pt that will kill him/her...except MEDS. Use your drug guide religiously, even for the drugs you use constantly. Check allergies, doses, routes, compatability, etc. Check your own MARs.

3) You will make mistakes and you will feel silly. Learn from it. The sillier you feel, the less likely you are to do it again.

4) Ask lots of questions!!!

Good luck!

~Lauren

Gigglesforall, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2005

Thanks Lauren for that website, I'm sure it will help me out a lot!

~Jackie

Super_RN, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2005

I have only been a RN for 2 years, but I started out in ICU. The main thing is to ask a question, always ask a question if you are uncertain about something. Ask a question just to verify. Never, never, never assume anything and use your co-workers experiences and knowledge to help you. Assessment skills? Definitely respiratory and cardiac...know them. It takes practice. Don't expect to learn everything all at once, because that won't happen, but don't be afraid to learn new things. It is so worth it!

:) Jaime

mskccRN · Jul 13, 2005

[B]There is nothing that you can do to your pt that will kill him/her...except MEDS. Use your drug guide religiously, even for the drugs you use constantly. Check allergies, doses, routes, compatability, etc. Check your own MARs

LaurenD,

I dont mean to alarm you but there are several things that you can do that will kill your patient besides MEDS !! You have to be aware of everything that you are doing with your patient not just your meds. Things like oxygenation, positioning, suctioning etc could all be critical to your patients health.

GOOD LUCK!

hollyster · Jul 13, 2005

Always check a-line connections and all alarm parameters at the beggining of each shift. I have been to a code and realized before the defib charged that someone minimized the a-line alarm "because it keep going off but it was corolating." The PT bled to death because of laziness.

Gigglesforall, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2005

Thanks for all these tips everyone, I really do appreciate them. Things are going well for me so far...I'm asking lots of questions. Today I had a 90 year old with a nasty GI bleed. My first one...it sure was an experience.

~Jackie