FINALLY!

Make a commitment to yourself to study Critical Care Nursing in your free time as well as being a life long learner.

It is the policy in many facilities that the AACN Procedure Manual is the hospital's ICU Policy and Procedure manual. It is the gold standard.

Check on that with a quick search of your hospital's policies.

Buy a used copy of an edition online, review the format of the manual and refer to it whenever you are unfamiliar with a term or procedure.

Join AACN and your local chapter. There is a wealth of information on that site and the journals that are included with membership are very good. It is essential to stay current on evidence based practice which they provide through practice alerts. Prepare yourself mentally for the fact that you will be responsible for the sickest and most complex patients every day. This is done to provide you with a good foundation.

Congratulations and best wishes as you begin your career in Critical Care.

I've been accepted to the ICU! I am currently an RN with two years experience in a med-surg stepdown unit. I'm beyond excited, scared and nervous! I've been lurking this board so I've written down lots of notes and such. Any other sound advice for me would be welcomed! Even just introducing yourself and your experience would be nice :)

Congratulations! I know the feeling, I start very soon in my hospitals ICU after working a stepdown unit for a year and some months now. I agree with the previous poster, reading some pages of a critical care book can only help you. Hopefully your hospital will offer an amazing orientation for you to become the best ICU RN you can.

Make a commitment to yourself to study Critical Care Nursing in your free time as well as being a life long learner.[/QUOTe]

thanks! These are great suggestions. I got a book for neurological/neurosurgical nursing which was suggested in the Neuro ICU board. Is there any book you recommend for M/SICU? I'm told that we will get overflow from those ICUs.

Congratulations! I know the feeling, I start very soon in my hospitals ICU after working a stepdown unit for a year and some months now. I agree with the previous poster, reading some pages of a critical care book can only help you. Hopefully your hospital will offer an amazing orientation for you to become the best ICU RN you can.

Oooh how exciting!!! I'm told it's only 6-8 weeks on orientation. No classes beforehand. Our manager would rather us take those classes after we've had hands-on experience.

Do not waste your $ on the dumbed down CC made easy books.

Buy a copy of the Little ICU Book by Marino. Everything that you need to know to get by is right in there.

The only other worthwhile reference is Pass CCRN by Robin Denihoe.

We operate on EBP and you need to be knowledgeable in order to protect your patients.

Remember that it is your responsibility to master these policies and protocols.

Buy the best stethoscope that you can afford. I recommend the Littman Master Cardiology.

Deduct these expenses on your taxes.

Do not waste your $ on the dumbed down CC made easy books.

Buy a copy of the Little ICU Book by Marino. Everything that you need to know to get by is right in there.

The only other worthwhile reference is Pass CCRN by Robin Denihoe.

We operate on EBP and you need to be knowledgeable in order to protect your patients.

Remember that it is your responsibility to master these policies and protocols.

Buy the best stethoscope that you can afford. I recommend the Littman Master Cardiology.

Deduct these expenses on your taxes.

I didn't even think about a new stethoscope! Thanks again! Great suggestions.

I second the master cardiology suggestion. Just upgraded from the II SE, and I'm realizing I might as well have been deaf. What a difference it makes having a good stethoscope!