How do I know I would fit in an ICU?

[Tink7586]

what qualities make a good icu nurse?

[CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

what qualities make a good icu nurse?

How do you know you'd fit in the ICU??? If you have any doubts, ask to shadow for a shift or two (prior to applying for the job). That should give you a good feel for the staff, patients, and docs.

I'd describe the better ICU nurses I work with as:

detail oriented

driven, not slackers

a good (OK, sick) sense of humor

willing to help, and ask for help themselves when needed

advocate for their patients

pushy when needed

[kenmartins]

You'll fit if you don't pass the weight limit on the biggest big boy bed.

[RN Joe 86]

1) Prioritize (Bed bath vs. PEA code)

2) Organize (scatterbrained vs goal oriented)

3) Able to function under pressure (High stress only if you let yourself get stressed)

4) Stay one step ahead of the patient and always anticipate the worst.

5) Eager to learn patho and hard sciences.

[TemperStripe]

Acknowledgment that you WILL feel stupid for a very long time, but despite this, a continued drive to make yourself a better nurse and not give up, for the sake of your patients.