I want to gain more knowledge and skills

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I've been a nurse for roughly 7 months. I know it comes with experience but I certainly want to gain knowledge and technical skills. What do you guys recommend? Just plainly reading a book or special classes or are there online articles I can read to enhance my knowledge? I want to become an ICU nurse in a year or two (hopefully). Thanks!

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Specializes in LTC and School Health.

Before becoming a RN in 2011 I was a LPN for 2.5 years. As a LPN I worked primarily in LTC. I had the burning desire to gain more knowledge and skill. After completing RN school I applied for hospital jobs to get any type of experience to boost my critical thinking and clinical skills. Glory be to God that I landed an ICU position as a new grad RN. I'm beyond excited! I start next month, Lord willing.

My advice to you is to apply for what you want. You can read books all day but you need to get hands on experience. Start applying for jobs in the hospital. Even if you don't get ICU take med-surg on anything to help you go in the right direction.

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If you go to iTunes store and do a search, you'll come up with a lot of different video lectures, slide shows and podcasts, of varying quality.

Two free podcasts I listen to on a regular basis are the Hospital Medicine Podcast by Gil Porat, and ICU Rounds by Jeffery Guy. I am a medical floor RN, not an ICU nurse, but these podcasts really are perfect for the practicing hospital nurse.

I also subscribe to Medscape's email service, and get weekly articles emailed to my inbox.

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