Baptism by Fire!!

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Specializes in NICU.

Hot dang is all I can say. I've been off orientation for about 3 weeks now. I don't know what is up but we have had some sick sick cookies in our ICU lately. I mean SICK. My orientation was pretty good but I didn't know what sick was until Saturday. I took care of a sick sick lady. All by myself for 2 shifts. Unfortunately she passed away. But I can tell you it wasn't from lack of effort on the staff's part. I really learned what ICU was about last Saturday.... or so I thought.....

Today was a whole different story. I just thought I knew what sick was. Today I took care of the sickest patient I've ever taken care of. Including orientation and all. This patient was a different kind of sick than my patient on Saturday. I have never been so busy in my entire life. Patient was in septic shock, DIC, HHNS, resp failure, acute renal failure. Q1 hr blood sugars, central line went bad, clots clots everywhere (including one in the patient's IVC), pressors, blood transfusions.. multiple sustained episodes of SVT, you name it it happened! And of course when they are sick as crap you know they are going to be pooping their brains out... why is that?

They asked me when I got there this AM... "are you ready for a challenge?" And I said yes! HAHAHAHAHAHA

What a learning experience that was! Oh and I managed to take care of another DKA patient. Closed her gap and got her extubated... Holy macaroni I'm tired! I'm going to drink a beer now! LATER!

Tiger

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Specializes in Med/Surg ICU.

Sweet!!!!!:up:

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They asked me when I got there this AM... "are you ready for a challenge?" And I said yes! HAHAHAHAHAHA

Always be very wary of when we ask if you're ready for a challenge. hehe.

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Specializes in multispecialty ICU, SICU including CV.

After awhile, you'll be happy to see this. At least they aren't keeping the swans in and the drips on just to keep the patient in the unit. And, at least you don't have to have the confused, trached, vented, PEGged total care gomer that they can't get placed for the 6th shift in a row.

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Specializes in critical care, PACU.

^ seriously

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

"ready for a challenge?' Usually means in 4 point restraints in DT's slinging poop at me:D

Welcome to ICU nursing, it's incredible some days:D

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Specializes in ICU-CCRN, CVICU, SRNA.

hahah, never realized how much ICU and poop were interconected before I became ICU nurse..

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Specializes in ABMT.

Let 'em poop their brains out, just so they don't poop their rectal tubes out....

...on clean linens...

...for the third time...

:eek:

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They'll poop their rectal tubes out before they poop their brains out =P

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Specializes in OR, peds, PALS, ICU, camp, school.

I'm jealous! Our acuity has been very low lately (I mean for over the last year) I miss the sick sickies. I'm at my best when they keep me on my toes! Good for you for proving yourself, bet you learned lots!

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Specializes in NICU.

Just an update. The patient I had that day that was so sick survived, and is doing well.

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