Can anyone recommend a great ED/Critical Care Book

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Hello folks,

I am a new RN that just finished my first week of hospital orientation. I will be working in the ED and still have to finish that orientation period. My back ground is EMS. I have been a paramedic for 11 years and have adapted well to working emergencies outside of the hospital. Can anyone recommend a great book to help ease the transition into the ED? Specifically, I am looking for a better understanding of caring for the critical patient in the ED setting i.e. vented patients, setting up maintenance drips like nitro, cardizem, beta blockers, pressors etc. I'm looking for something a little more than drug reference guides. There are a lot of text books out there. Can anyone recommend a specific one that is more practical rather than gearing me up for an exam? Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

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This is a very good site:

http://www.icufaqs.org/

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Even though you said you are not looking for a drug guide, I still suggest a very comprehensive current IV drug guide if you do not already have one, that provides comprehensive information, i.e. drug action; dosages; indications for giving; contraindications; assessment information to consider before giving, eg. current patient assessment, labs, medication interactions; expected effects; side effects; adverse effects and actions to take; rate of administration; assessment/monitoring information; drug concentrations; compatibility; need for dilution; additional administration information, etc. You can research IV drug guides on Amazon.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

Just get a free app like Medscape for drugs. It's the best, Epocrates second best. Sheehys book on ER nursing is excellent.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

My go to references are:

The AACN procedure manual.

Pass CCRN by Robin Denihoe.

The Little ICU Book by Marino.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

Knowing the half life of vasopressors and inotropes will help you titrate them to effect. For these meds I would recommend globalRPH. It is free.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

For something that fits in your pocket and is a great quick reference, I love Informed's Emergency & Critical Care pocket guide: Emergency & Critical Care Pocket Guide: 9781284023701: Medicine & Health Science Books @ Amazon.com. As a matter of fact, I am going to order myself a new one because my last one went missing in Afghanistan. :( They have a phone app as well, but I prefer the book.

Congrats on the new job! I went the same way - paramedic to ED RN. How big is the ED where you're going to work, and how long is your orientation? Definitely invest in a pocket-sized notepad and write down stuff particular to your facility, like drips that come in certain concentrations there, etc. You'll probably end up with your own reference book! Good luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Check out icufaq's

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

I did 3 years critical care and despite the various books, I will echo others as icufaqs was my favorite.

Sheehys guide to emergency care is good as well. :) good luck!

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I second Sheehy's Guide for more ED specific stuff.

Fast Facts for Critical Care (Fast Facts For Critical Care - Critical Care Reference - Kathy White Learning Systems) was referred to as "The ICU Bible" by many excellent nurses I worked with in a cardiac surgery ICU.

I have em both, and as a new grad, they're indispensible

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