Hello everyone! I have been reading this forum for about two years now with the faroff aspirations to one day become a CRNA.
I have just started working (orientating really) in the ICU (two going on three weeks now) and let me tell you--it is SOOOO difficult!
For those of you who can remember starting out in the ICU, tell me that it does get better I was an A student in nursing school but this is a whole different ball game! I feel like a failure for not catching on more quickly.
For those of you just starting nursing school, everyone on this forum always says, take one step at a time! Believe me they are right. As a new grad the ICU is so Challenging!
Maybe its not nice to say, but working as a nurse, you will find it is always a little crisis or a bigger crisis right around the corner...seems the nature of the beast. But when you get more comfortable and get more experience, you can deal with them alot better. My first couple years of nursing were not enjoyable... but it did get better.
I took the job where I did because I was told I'd get to see more stuff clinically since the ICU's are more departmentalized in a bigger hospital. Sometimes I wonder if that was a mistake just because there IS so much I can see, and I just don't have that experience that I need as yet. Many days I have felt over my head... but I am always told that there is always people there to ask questions of, and help if needed.
I start a new graduate ICU orientation next month. Can anyone recommend a textbook that would be helpfull for a new graduate in the ICU?
I too went straight to ICU after graduation and felt the same learning pains as described!!! I have been an ICU nurse for five years and a CCRN for four. The book that I think is invaluable is the Core Curriculum for critical care nursing, published by AACN (available for purchase on the AACN website). It is an outline formated book with all pertinent information outlined by disease process. INVALUABLE!!
I start anesthesia school in two weeks and am so excited! And just think, I felt like quitting my first two weeks of orientation in ICU too!!!! (stick to it!!)
Thank you for the information. I bought the AACN Core Cirriculum book you recommended. I am thinking about buying a Palm PDA so I can keep the Kathy White book and other medical references at my fingertips.
Ava' Mom - Congratulations on getting into a CRNA program. I am not sure if I want to do that, but I want to keep the option open. ICU experience seems to open a lot of other doors in nursing.
As a long experienced Critical Care Rn, I have seen many people come and go in the ICU. It takes a long time, I agree prob at least 2 yrs before you really feel comfortable. I would highly recommend any Critical Care courses or inservices you can attend. Even if you feel like you know some of the material, you can always learn more and pick up a new tidbit of information. I think a consistant preceptor is also key. I worked with one new grad that thought she knew it all, and was not a team player at all. This did not work out, we later found out that this person was working another job during orientation. Bottom line, put all your effort into orientation, read, read, and read more. You will make it!:)
We all understand what you're going through, I too went straight to CVSICU after graduation but had worked as a nurse tech there for a year first. Don't let your fear overcome your abilities. What I mean is, take every opportunity to learn, butt in on every procedure, every code, every chance where you can learn what the other nurses do in these situations. If you act eager to learn, then more opportunities will be presented to you. And don't be afraid to ask questions, especially the "scary nurse". The "scary" nurse was one we were all afraid to even talk to for fear of having our heads bit off, but you'll find they are incredibly smart and willing to teach. Another realization you need to make is that you are never alone. You can always ask, and should, other nurses how they would handle certain patients. Once you learn that people in ICU really do work as a team, you'll be fine. It's normal to be terrified, that's how we know you'll be a good nurse. Hopefully that applies to CRNA school also because I'm terrified about starting in two weeks. If I have learned anything from ICU, "Suck it up, bite your tongue, and put a smile on your face!" HA!
Good advice Jewelcutt. While in ICU, be a SPONGE! When you get to anesthesia school, be a SPONGE! Shut up (except to ask questions!), be positive and learn as much as you can. Being pleasant and curtious to everyone (Even those people who want to yell and put you down) will always go a long way.
As for being terrified, I think you would be abnormal if you were not scared to death (In ICU for the first time or CRNA school). The good news is, it always gets better with time.
Pokey, relax girl!! You are new-- don't try to know everything right away! People will understand that you are new, so ask LOTS of questions. Not just the nurses either-- ask the docs questions, the pharmacists questions, everybody. I've been in the ICU about 10 months now and I'm still not fully comfortable. Take the most challenging patients you can now because you are new and people will understand that and be willing to help you. You also need to go home and read about stuff that you saw that day-- http://www.icufaqs.org is a GREAT site. Have patience, I know, easier said than done. Right now I have the technical stuff down, the hardest part for me is knowing what to say to the families.
I was an A student in nursing school but this is a whole different ball game! I feel like a failure for not catching on more quickly.
FNimuaeMae
125 Posts
Maybe its not nice to say, but working as a nurse, you will find it is always a little crisis or a bigger crisis right around the corner...seems the nature of the beast. But when you get more comfortable and get more experience, you can deal with them alot better. My first couple years of nursing were not enjoyable... but it did get better.
I took the job where I did because I was told I'd get to see more stuff clinically since the ICU's are more departmentalized in a bigger hospital. Sometimes I wonder if that was a mistake just because there IS so much I can see, and I just don't have that experience that I need as yet. Many days I have felt over my head... but I am always told that there is always people there to ask questions of, and help if needed.
Missy:coollook: