CCU/ICU New Grad

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Hello. Ive just been hired on as a new grad in to the CCU and ICU (i will be trained between the two). Are there any references which will help me and any advice for a new RN in these areas? Thanks!!

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Best advice...stay in orientation as long as you can. Don't let them tell you are ready if you don't feel that you are...sometimes due to staffing shortages some hospitals want their new nurses on the floor a little faster than they should.

Try not to feel overwhelmed.

Don't be afraid to ask alot of questions and then some more questions. There are no "dumb" questions.

If your hospital offers critical classes be sure and take them.

Make sure you always have a resource person available you like and trust.

Patient safety is always first and don't be afraid to say, "I'm not sure I can handle my assignment, this patient, those lines, etc,etc,etc!

Critical Care is my love and have been there for 17years now.

It is fast paced and challenging. However, in the area I live, I have found that they are pushing are new nurses into the real world way to quickly. Leaving them overwhelmed, stressed, and even in tears sometimes.

Just last night at work one of "newbies" was heard to say,

"If I knew it was going to be like this I would have chose to work somewhere else. I thought it was going to be fun."

It is truly wonderfully satisfying work once you are comfortable.

But, I too, still remember my utter panic when I was "on my own"

Be patient with yourself and those around you....be sure you are comfortable before on your own, and most definitely make you weakness known.

If you have supportive coworkers it should be a great time and even "fun."

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Specializes in Med-Surg Nursing.

As far as references go......I like Kathy White's Fast Facts for Adult Critical Care. It's available at http://www.kathywhite.com You can purchase either the book form or PDA form. There are specialty chapters available (IABP, Trauma, CV Surg and Peds) for the book form.

For a more in-depth reference, I like Thelans Critical Care Nursing, Diagnosis and Management, available from Mosby. Someone here recommended it and it is a great book. I purchased it when I got my first ICU job and when I switched to my current job, they give a copy of this text to all the nurses that take the Critical Care Course(mandatory). Course I already had a copy.

Oh and check out http://www.icufaqs.org Another great ICU info site!

Good luck to you!

Kelly

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Thanks Alot Guys!

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