Experienced nurse new to ICU

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Specializes in ER, pediatrics, post-partum and nursery.

Hello all, I am new to this so bear with me! I have been an RN since 2000 and have worked in Peds and in the ER. I am interested in the ICU and have an interview with Washington Hospital Center(SICU). I am curious about the whole process, how long is general/nursing orientation, is it a difficult transition for an experienced nurse, is the current staff welcoming to new nurses, and what is the pay like? Any information would be extremely helpful, I dont know anyone who works at WHC in the ICU.

Thanks,

Leon

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

While I'm not in your area, 15 years in ICU, I've precepted many ER nurses. So allow me to share my experiences:

You are a go-getter task oriented get it done now and prepare for the worst expert!

Now, take a deep breath, these patients are going no where except the morgue. Where before you were pressed beyond belief with getting things done... now you have two, max three patients and a full 12 hours to plan. Unless your patient crumps and codes, you really have control over your full next 12 hours, not so in the ER.

In the ICU, where I come from, there is no doctor... so you have to review all the meds with the diagnosis... the ordered tests the labs... what are we missing? I make a "wish list"... can it wait until the am or am I paging doc's. Crap, I have to turn every two hours and suction, elevate every boney prominence.. write care plans, have the same PIA family... again.... GI bleed? Yep, scope at bedside and poop patrol or bowel prep 12 hours... the crazy DT'er.. with no meds ordered.. no ER doc present have to make 10 calls in a night.

Have a patient looking bad? an EKG change? I have to paint a picture over the phone to get the orders I need and have the info to back it up to DEMAND what I'm not getting. There is no ER doc to come take a look and write some.

My assessment skills are excellent because I know what I can sit on and what I need to call and wake and attending for... as well as the skills to keep it short because they'll hang up on me.

Basic care, mouth care, turning, cough deep breathe is the mainstay... I'f I can't ward off the evil spirits with the basics and I ignore them... the basics will rear their ugly heads later in my shift and demand my attention and it will be a hell night.

The post cath 90 year old lady with out the foley will and will call for the bed pan every 20 minutes and when you think she has fallen asleep... she's simply climbed out of bed, fallen on the floor, pullled out all the IV's and decided to sundown, thinking your the granddaughter and you owe her money and have her wallet with all her life savings.

I have fun and love this environment... the difference in the ER is that you can bump them up to first admit, whistle dixie and take a toothache in return. Me? I'm stuck with all my mess in it's glory until 7am.

The adrenaline junkies will have a hayday inthe ICU, if you can survive all I've written above about the people that you care for meanwhile until the full blown cardiogenic shock rolls in with a K of 1 and you've gone through 4 crash carts and they are still viable and kicking.

it's a mixed blessing.

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Specializes in ER, pediatrics, post-partum and nursery.

Thank you so much for your response. That does help me out, alot! I am looking forward to my ICU experience::lol2:

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

Hey Zookeeper, yeah that!~! You captured nursing in ICU to a T, wonderful post!!!!

The old lady without a catheter with the sundowners takes the cake, how many times have I just wanted to get to helping my other patients and been tide up in a Ms. Crazy's room. Sheesh!

Where is that PIA family when you need them?

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