First Day in ICU tomorrow

NeosynephRN · Apr 9, 2008

YAY!!! Have fun and learn lots!!!

Conrad283, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2008

Good luck .. My first day is coming, so I know what you're feeling like.

TX_ICU_RN · Apr 10, 2008

Thanks for the support!! I hope I can make it through the night shift. I have tried to sleep today but I am so excited and nervous that it is just not going to happen. Fortunately, my PCP gave me some Provigil to help me adjust back to the night schedule.

Conrad283...when do you start? I wish you the best! I will let you know how tonight goes when I get a chance to get on the computer (I am working 2 7p-7a shifts in a row).

NeosynephRN · Apr 10, 2008

Oh the first night is not to terrible with no sleep. Your excitement will probably carry you through!! You are in TX...I assume with the name. I am moving there soon, to work in an ICU, so I will be in your position in the near future!

*LadyNurse* · Apr 11, 2008

Good luck to you...I know exactly how you feel. My first day in SICU is a mere 2 weeks away...

Aggie2000 · Apr 11, 2008

Congrats! Hope your shift went well. Where in Texas are you? I am in San Antonio. I am applying for GN positions in the ICU here.

CVICURN2003 · Apr 12, 2008

I have finished all the hospital and nursing orientation....FINALLY!!!!! Tomorrow night will be my first actual shift on the unit. I have so many emotions running through me right now. I am excited, scared, thrilled, petrified...all over the map. I know I will just be observing, but it still is overwhelming! Hopefully the first six months will fly by!

I hope you had a good day. In a year or so, you will have that AH-HA moment and realize you ACTUALLY knew what to do in an emergency and did it! Or have a someone "new" ask you a complicated question and you could answer it approprialty! And you will learn something new everyday, no matter how long you are a nurse, you will never know "everything". I started as a new grad in a high acuity ICU and love it. Good Luck, I hope you have a great preceptor and co-workers (I did). I took melatonin to sleep at night. :yeah: :yeah: :bow: :bow: :nurse: :nurse:

AnthonyD · Apr 13, 2008

So how did it go??

leosrain, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2008

So how did it go??

I was wondering the exact same thing! :)

GoldenFire5 · Apr 13, 2008

I'm curious, too!

TX_ICU_RN · Apr 13, 2008

I am FINALLY able to get to the computer. I have had a crazy few days, but I finally have a day off. BTW...I live in the DFW area.

I had a first night that was unbelievable! According to our orientation guidelines, the first night is supposed to be slow with one easy patient so you have time to get oriented to the unit. I am so glad it did not happen that way for me. Due to a miscommunication, we got a patient who coded within an hour of my shift starting. I did not get a chance to even go to the bathroom until 7 hours into my shift! I think I checked off about half of my skills during the first shift! I was so glad I had already taken ACLS.

I assisted with a difficult CVC that eventually was placed in the femoral area. Then, I participated in a code and gave code meds. Once we had the patient stabilized, I help titrate the drips she was on, draw labs, and assist placing an art line. I had no time to even think about being tired, much less actually be tired.

I am going to LOVE ICU!!!! I know every night is not going to be like that, but I am not afraid of what is going to be thrown at me any longer!