First Day in ICU tomorrow

Published

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!

Specializes in CVICU, MICU, CCRN-CSC.
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!

Ain't it a blast!! :yeah:That's what I love about ICU!!! :lol2:Glad u had a "good" night.:chuckle Those are my favorite patients. I'm on for the next three days...so we'll see.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU, MICU, CICU, NeuroICU.
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).

Right now I'm doing the classroom stuff and my first day is April 23rd ... I'm very nervous and excited at the same time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, Pedi, Education.
Right now I'm doing the classroom stuff and my first day is April 23rd ... I'm very nervous and excited at the same time.

I know the feeling! The classroom stuff gets REALLY old after awhile. Good luck on the 23rd!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU, MICU, CICU, NeuroICU.
I know the feeling! The classroom stuff gets REALLY old after awhile. Good luck on the 23rd!

Thanks ...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Not too many areas I haven't dipped into.
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!

Wow, sounds like a great night. Props to you for getting right in there and doing hands on. So many of us newbies are scared and tend to become wallflowers for fear of messing something up. it takes that first momnet of putting your hands in there to make you crave to do it again.

I am so proud of you!!!!!! :yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, Pedi, Education.
Wow, sounds like a great night. Props to you for getting right in there and doing hands on. So many of us newbies are scared and tend to become wallflowers for fear of messing something up. it takes that first momnet of putting your hands in there to make you crave to do it again.

I am so proud of you!!!!!! :yeah:

Thanks! It really helps that I am coming to the ICU after being a nurse for several years. Although most of my background is outpatient pedi, there is so much that you bring to the table as an experienced nurse. I went in expecting things to be like they were with my first job as a GN/RN...but I did not realize how many things would be different. It is still a steep learning curve, but things like assessment, patho, pharm, and critical thinking stay fairly static across the board.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion