new icu nurse did I make thew right decision

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My preceptor has said that becauswe i am focused and task oriented i will not make a good icu nurse.... I like to be organized and she says that takes up too much time and i'll not get stuff done.....she spent a day interupting me everytime i started to organize myself........she efven told me thta writing down i and o takes up too much time.......so where would a person who is organized and foccused go as a nurse?????

Wow sounds like your preceptor sucks!!

Specializes in ED, ICU, lifetime Diabetes Education.

Focused and organized are excellent qualities for an ICU nurse. You may need to get a different preceptor.

Specializes in CTICU.

Every great ICU nurse I know is super organized, somewhat obsessive, and very detail oriented. Often, writing down your plan for the day and laying it all out is the only thing that stops it getting too out of control. You do need to be flexible in your plans as things change over the shift, but organized is a good thing. Get a new preceptor.

i so agree with what has been said here. it is crucial to stay organized and keep notes. I did spend a lot of time while not on the floor creating a "mini reference" for myself. if a procedure or new med came up during the shift i made a reminder note and then at home i would look it up and write what i felt would be helpful. it is a HUGE learning experience and to get as organized as u want u may have to do some home work....

and check out this site....

http://www.icufaqs.org/ i used it for a reference making my notes after a shift.

goodluck

You are perfect for the ICU. I don't know what's up with your preceptor. The ICU is usually pretty busy; and yes, things do need to get done quickly, but it's sooo easy to forget to do stuff. So being organized and writing things down helps you to keep track of what you have and haven't done. You're on the right track.

Specializes in med surg,telemetry, Psych, ICU.

they are all right..sounds like your preceptor is not a good fit for you..or for anyone for that matter..preceptors must be patient, and guide the new nurse or orientee in the right direction. It is never wrong to do the right thing..one thing i tell my orientees is to make notes on post-its when they are too busy to chart..then when they have a minute, say, after shift change, then they can sit and chart, and have all their notes with times on them to tell the story of everything you did that day for your patient..cause remember, if you don't write it down, you didn't do it...

Good luck to you, you'll do fine..attention to detail is necessary in ICU as well as anywhere else.

your preceptor should support you not the other way around. i would loved to also work in icu but i want to gain more experience first in MS

Specializes in CVICU.

Yeah, I agree that your preceptor kind of sucks. However, you should know that you will eventually need to write down less and less as you become more adept at your job. I started in CVICU and when I was orienting I used to write down EVERYTHING. Whenever I had free time I'd go through the patient chart and make a written timeline of their time at the hospital and every single procedure they had done. I'd scour those things for every bit of history I could find on the patient. My preceptor found me amusing, but never ever belittled me or told me not to do those things. Now, 3 years later, I can remember almost everything about a patient (except all the lab values) without carrying around a clipboard, and can give report almost entirely from memory (although I don't because I hate to forget anything).

You'll be fine. Try to get along with your preceptor, and do things your own way when you're on your own. Good luck.

Thanks everyone! I did get a new preceptor. I know I will write down less and less as time goes on, but right now as a new nurse I am just trying to get organized. Although I can see why new nurses quit the profession early in their careers....

Specializes in PACU, CARDIAC ICU, TRAUMA, SICU, LTC.
they are all right..sounds like your preceptor is not a good fit for you..or for anyone for that matter..preceptors must be patient, and guide the new nurse or orientee in the right direction. It is never wrong to do the right thing..one thing i tell my orientees is to make notes on post-its when they are too busy to chart..then when they have a minute, say, after shift change, then they can sit and chart, and have all their notes with times on them to tell the story of everything you did that day for your patient..cause remember, if you don't write it down, you didn't do it...

Good luck to you, you'll do fine..attention to detail is necessary in ICU as well as anywhere else.

Attention to detail; you bet!!

Specializes in Critical Care/Coronary Care Unit,.

I've been a cardiac tele nurse for almost 2 yrs now and I still write everything down. It's all about what works for you. Good luck in the icu.

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