Published Sep 9, 2016
LittleTwinStars, ADN, BSN
40 Posts
I just started an ICU job at a small hospital in the suburbs. My previous job wasn't TSICU, but definitely acute with lots of sepsis and withdrawal cases that taught me to think on my feet. In my new job there's an ER and ICU, but neither are acute most of the time. Even in ICU, I see Levophed and/or ventilators in about 1/6 of patients. I fear that my critical care skills will atrophy, but I'm committed for a year, it's close to my new house, and I love my supportive coworkers (Years ago, I worked agency med-surg here and decided to return due to this supportive workplace environment).
What are some other ways that I can develop in this limited setting? I will sit for the CCRN in a couple of months. I offered to float to ER and other floors once I am off orientation, which was enthusiastically received. I am willing to train as a relief charge nurse and maybe even a charge nurse, although I've never done anything like that and am nervous about starting. There are no PICC or rapid response nurses, only a daytime special procedures nurse and the ER physician. Any suggestions? Please think of this hospital as a Kindred hospital with an ER.