How long until you are comfortable

shhhh · Mar 1, 2011

It took me about 7 or 8 months until I didn't feel like I was going to have a heart attack every shift. Haha! I think it really does depend on the crew you work with, though.

I've worked in about five or six different settings so far. Some units were really cushy and posh, but the nurses I worked with were unhelpful and aloof. I didn't stay in those places very long. Other jobs were extremely busy with demanding patient populations, but the nursing crew was amazing; lots of camaraderie and lots of help when you were stretched too thin. The job itself wasn't great at all, but knowing I'd "work in the trenches" with my dear friends made going into work much easier.

I've learned that it takes time for you and the other nurses to gain some trust of each other. After I got to know everyone (and it took a while, because there's about 50 or so nurses with FTEs on the same shift I work), I started to relax a little bit. I was getting along with everyone and was being told that I was doing well and fitting in, but I was still nervous every time I went into work, worrying about if I was going to panic if one of my patients crumped.

Then one day, it just dawned on me that I don't need to worry, because all I needed to do is just ask for help (if something really bad happens, they all run into my room without being asked anyway, god bless them). I think helping everyone else tips the good karma in my favor, too. If my patients are doing fine, I'll patrol the unit and offer any help up. Usually, it's only a something little like a sign-off, but I think the other nurses remember, and they have paid back the good deed later.

Experiencing that little "I'm not all alone and I'm supported here" epiphany made me feel more comfortable being in the ICU after I started. I've talked with other nurses, and a lot of them have said the 6 to 8 month mark is usually when they felt like ICU was or was not the right place for them. From what I've witnessed, if you're definitely NOT ICU material, then you would (or your manager or preceptor would) realize it before your internship or probation was over and you'd move on. Sounds like what you're feeling is normal and I would expect you feeling more comfortable soon. Good luck!