critical care question

[regglynn]

I start critical care clinicals tomorrow. I am excited and nervous at the same time.

Our insrtuctor has advised us to bring a bag with our critical care manual, drug book, lab book, calipers, tape and wound measuring tool, preceptor paperwork, and anything else to write down things we'll need for our patinet profile. I have PDA with great programs but may not take it until I see how a day goes, because I don't want to lose it. But I could keep it my pants pocket.....

To the studnets that have gone to CC, is there anything else I should bring?? Also any advice on how not to get "eaten alive" by the preceptor??? I want to work close with him/her but don't want to be in the way. Please any CC advice is welcome, even if I have not questioned it specifically.

[Pompom]

I hate that cliche' "eaten alive", that said, I precept in CCU and love new nurses! Remember to look up any medication that you don't know, (know the side effects, half life, etc.), know your lab values especially na, K, Mg, iCa, h/h, pt/inr, PTT. Relax and enjoy your experience. You won't be allowed to screw up or kill anyone, your preceptor is responsible and will have your back. Simple things like showing up ON TIME for report is important. If a call light goes off even if it is not your assigned pt. ANSWER IT, don't be afraid to answer the phone either. If another pt. is having an interesting test or procedure ask if you can watch. Help transfer pt's to CT & watch, the techs will explain what you see. Good luck.

[regglynn]

Thanks for the tips.

And as for being on time, we have to be on the floor by 6:30 am, but I am such an anal person about being not being late, I am plannning on getting on the floor by 6 so I can observe the nurses before report.

Thanks again

I hate that cliche too. But our instructors have been using that so much this past week. I don't know if they are trying to play with us or scare us to death.......

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

When I was in nursing school, I found that the ICU nurses were the kindest to students.

I've had 2 students in the past 2 weeks. How fun! Big difference between the two of them. First, let me say that they weren't assigned to me (because I'm new), but they could tell I was a kind soul so they would talk to me a lot. Plus, my pts had cool stuff to do like conscious sedation, NGT placement, vents, etc. So I would call them over to try out new things.

First student was very outgoing! Wanted to see everything, asked a ton of pertninent questions, and was so excited to do new tasks. The other was very quite and subdue. She stuck to her nurse for the most part, didn't stray far from her rooms, but was polite and kind. I was more like the second girl when I was in school, but some of the nurses thought that she was a little odd because she was so quiet.

I told them that as nursing students, they are used to getting ignored and mistreated, and so they may just be reserved. I think we all forget how awful nursing school can be.

SOoooo, my advice on what to bring would be a good attitiude (even if the nurses suck), and a willingness to learn. Tell yourself that this is only one day, and you will get through it, and to boot, you are going to get a great nursing experience regardless of the staff.

Good Luck!