Got hired straight into MICU after graduation..need advice!

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Hey everyone!

I just passed my boards 3 short weeks ago and was offered my ideal position on the medical intensive care unit. I had precepted there for my critical care rotation. I had met the manager while there. After I graduated and passed my boards I called HR quite a lot and got through to them and the unit manager. The unit manager offered to interview me. 6 days later I was offered the position!! I am absolutely elated :) I can't believe it!!! But, behind all my excitement, relief, and pure happiness, I am pretty nervous. I know this is going to be hard. I mean, that is all anyone will tell you if you leap straight to ICU nursing out of school - is that it will be hard, REALLY HARD, for at least 2 years. It is as if nobody has anything positive or encouraging to say. And, while I do not want people to sugar coat things, it would be nice to hear that it is not all depressing and horrible. I am kind of quiet sometimes and I don't want that to get in the way. I do not want to choke in an emergent situation. I don't really want to drive to work with knots in my stomach and drive home crying. I know that I will go through those things, though. I know it is part of the territory. I guess what I want to know is; will it always fell like doom and gloom? How soon until those feelings diminish? Any tips for a newbie on how to gather a great support team around her in the MICU? I have a million and one fears in my head about being adequate enough to fill the shoes of this position. I know I will be a good nurse..deep down, I know it. I just don't want to let myself down. I need to succeed at this and prove to myself that I am worth a starting position in the MICU. I appreciate all your support, everyone. This site is a wonderful resource for when you need a little pep talk!

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Did I write this post last summer?? I got hired straight into a MICU. Starting out as a nurse is just plain hard...lots of growing pains, lots of anxiety, and sometimes thinking that you weren't cut out for this. So there's that, and all the stress and complexities of critical care compounded. For me it took a while...rather is TAKING a while...for me to feel comfortable. I had to learn how to be a nurse and a critical care nurse at the same time. I would go home every night and just read textbooks and reflect on my day. Did I do everything right? What could I have done better? It was stressful and it did sort of spill out into my personal life. Now I'm around 8 months in, 5 months off orientation. I have good days and bad days. I still do a lot of extra reading and studying, but I've learned to not be so hard on myself. It's just a job. Just be patient with yourself and committed to learning and you will survive :)

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Did I write this post last summer?? I got hired straight into a MICU. Starting out as a nurse is just plain hard...lots of growing pains, lots of anxiety, and sometimes thinking that you weren't cut out for this. So there's that, and all the stress and complexities of critical care compounded. For me it took a while...rather is TAKING a while...for me to feel comfortable. I had to learn how to be a nurse and a critical care nurse at the same time. I would go home every night and just read textbooks and reflect on my day. Did I do everything right? What could I have done better? It was stressful and it did sort of spill out into my personal life. Now I'm around 8 months in, 5 months off orientation. I have good days and bad days. I still do a lot of extra reading and studying, but I've learned to not be so hard on myself. It's just a job. Just be patient with yourself and committed to learning and you will survive :)

Thanks Sara :) I know I will get there eventually... it just gets a little daunting thinking of how this NEVER ends, lol. Not that I want to stop learning..I just thought when I got a job the learning would be more for my own good and interest instead of this stressful kind of learning that I endured during school. I will do what it takes because I really do want this to work sooo bad.

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I also was hired straight into a MICU/SICU in the hospital I had been working in for 6 years. I have been there for 5 years now. I can tell you from experience that it does get better! You will become more comfortable and confident in your skills. You will still learn everyday and you should be actively seeking opportunities to learn new things always as a nurse. Hang in there, it gets better!

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