May be repetitive thread;going to ICU from Medsurg

[RNHURT]

To all seasoned ICU nurses,

I have 2 yrs med-surg experience and am shifting to ICU in 4 weeks. Pay is good, orientation is for 13 weeks and manager seems happy with me. its a 6 bed ICU, not trauma kind but am very nervous. I have shortcomings, am slow in IV insertions, have not done many heparin drips, some narcotic drips, had trach and NG patients sometimes but am worried will I be able to do everything on time

[LynnLRN]

I think you are able to move a little slower in ICU, its not a job where you are running back and forth. You are usually in 1-2 rooms (although, you have a lot to do in those rooms). Plus, with those high risk drips it is probably good to be moving a little slower as to make sure you are not rushing through it and accidentally put in the wrong rate, etc. I think in ICU you move a little slower while paying greater attention to detail. Of course if the pt is arresting or something then you definitely can't be moving like a slug .

[cardiacrocks, BSN, RN]

Narcotic drip? Do you mean PCA and Epidurals? On my floor we do it all, even dopamine, we are a cardiac step-down unit. Good luck in ICU, i'm sure you'll do great, keep us posted.

[MomRN0913]

13 weeks is a great orientation where you will be able to develop your skills and knowledge and get the hang of doing all of these things at once.

I was a new grad float who got a job in ICU 4 months in. because i already had 8 weeks of orientation when I started, they only gave me 4 in the ICU. I got the hang of it and developed more skills over time.

Good luck!

[SnowboardLovinRN]

I transfered from Telemetry to ICU. The floor experience will help you, and the other posters are right. Attention to detail is important in the ICU. Good luck to you, the ICU is a wonderful place! I've fallen in love with the specialty.

[RNHURT]

hi guys, your posts are encouraging and are helping me to take out my nervousness :)

[clementinern]

My best advice would be to NEVER NEVER NEVER be afraid to ask questions, even if you think it is a "stupid" question. Please, trust me when I say that most ICU nurses would much rather have you ask questions than do something that might be out of your comfort zone. If a seasoned nurse is teaching you something, even if you feel as though you already know, listen to what they have to say. You may take away one new pearl of wisdom that you didn't already have. Good luck!!

To all seasoned ICU nurses,

I have 2 yrs med-surg experience and am shifting to ICU in 4 weeks. Pay is good, orientation is for 13 weeks and manager seems happy with me. its a 6 bed ICU, not trauma kind but am very nervous. I have shortcomings, am slow in IV insertions, have not done many heparin drips, some narcotic drips, had trach and NG patients sometimes but am worried will I be able to do everything on time