Starting out in ICU

chaxanmom · Mar 22, 2010

Are you in a nurse residency program? If so, you will be fine. :) Just take your preceptor's advice. Definitely focus on keeping up with your hourly stuff and try to stay ahead of it. You can typically do hourly stuff (v/s, I&O, IABP or other special equipment) about 10-15 min before the hour so that helps. Use the 2-hour rule to cluster your meds as much as possible. Plan your trips in and out of the room so you are clustering care. Trips in and out of the room do to your time management what those little $5-10 spending increment do to your checkbook. lol! MAKE LISTS!!!! If you aren't already a list maker, become one. lol!

Millerstudentnurse · Mar 22, 2010

Congrats on getting into ICU as a new grad.

May you share how you got the position ? Are you a BSN or ASN or RN with a diff bachelors deg ree?

How is the job market so far in your city/state ?

Any tips would be great ! Thanks and congrats again !

netglow, ASN, RN · Mar 22, 2010

Good for you for throwing youself in the fray.

I developed a good brain sheet for ICU newbies when I was in my preceptorship in ICU... (people told me so ) Its in a graphics program, but if I can save it as a .pdf I'll send it to you if ya want, you could edit it and make your own.

Let me know :)

gj47479 · Mar 23, 2010

2nd wind I will also be starting out in ICU and would like a copy of the brain sheet you made :)

seniorstudent123 · Mar 23, 2010

2ndwind, that would be great!

Millerstudent, I had my role transition at this particular hospital and must've made a good impression.

Super_RN, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2010

I started in ICU 7 years ago and am so thankful I did! Not only did I get to practice every imaginable skill, I learned time management and organization like a mad woman!

Good luck to you!!

tjtgirl · Mar 23, 2010

Hey SuperRN:

I'm new to this site, and want to send a quick apology, I hit the "Report" link at the bottom of your comment thinking for some reason that it would send me to the file you created (the Brain Sheet). It wasn't until I clicked on it that I relized I was "reporting you". I'm sorry, I really hope this didn't screw anything up! Major Apologies!!!

traumalover, RN · Mar 23, 2010

I started in ICU 7 years ago and the best advice I can give is be organized!!! Flow sheets are awesome if you find a good one. Also, be a sponge. When you don't understand something ask why. Listen to the experienced nurse, they've forgotten more than I'll probably ever know. If not scheduled, see if you can spend a shift with RT, a shift in cath lab, a shift following the charge nurse...these can be invaluable....

and always know, it will get easier. Even when it doesn't seem like it. Congrats and good luck!

kellyc034 · Mar 23, 2010

If it is possible, I would LOVE a copy of your brain sheet as well!

I'm doing my management rotation, last 5 weeks of my ADN program, in ICU and I could use all the help I can get!

Kelly

Jameslovestravel · Mar 23, 2010

If you don't mind, can you tell me how much a new grad in ICU is getting paid? If you don't want to post on here, I would appreciate it if you can pm me. I am interested in learning more about new grad pay.

Super_RN, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2010

Hey SuperRN:
I'm new to this site, and want to send a quick apology, I hit the "Report" link at the bottom of your comment thinking for some reason that it would send me to the file you created (the Brain Sheet). It wasn't until I clicked on it that I relized I was "reporting you". I'm sorry, I really hope this didn't screw anything up! Major Apologies!!!

LOL! It's ok--I haven't seen anything yet (trouble wise), but I'm not the one with the Brain Sheet :)