I want to quit ICU after one week.

Published

Yes, one week. I will just summarize how I'm feeling otherwise I will be writing a novel. I am a PCA and the ICU makes me feel extremely uncomfortable. Unfortunately, I have no one to blame but myself as I applied to Critical Care unit. I hate it. I am around many thick skinned nurses who are moving around unresponsive bodies on machines like it is nothing. ...The cords, the beeping, the crying, the dying...It is not for me. I do not have the coping, communication, social skills to work in the ICU. I applied as I thought it would be a stimulating job. It is moreso overwhelming. I am going to quit.

I worked with physical and mentally disabled for a few years and loved it. This hospital thing isn't working for me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

"I am around many thick skinned nurses who are moving around unresponsive bodies on machines like it is nothing."

ICU is not for everyone so it's perfectly fine to declare that it's not a good fit and move on.

I would caution you, however, not to form premature opinions (in your mind or out loud on a nursing forum) about other healthcare workers. Given your 1 week of PCA experience, surely you realize that you do not have adequate exposure to the situation to have an informed understanding of what you're seeing or, more likely not seeing. Your statement comes across as very judgmental and I hope that you are not displaying that attitude at work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Stay another week, and those unresponsive bodies may then become the alert people you help up to the chair. The cords and machinery disappear one by one until one day you help the nurse pack up and transfer them out to the floor and wave goodbye amazed at how well a patient can recover.

You have to work there a while to find the satisfaction.

If you have never been exposed to critically ill people, there will be a culture shock.

If after a month of this, you are unhappy, then feel free to resign and find a job you like better.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

If every nurse took the time to cry over every deceased patient, **** wouldn't get done...especially in the ICU!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The stimuli in an ICU is incredible.

Take some deep breaths...give yourself some time, analyze how you can assist in this environment.

Should you give up so easily?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for understanding what I mean when I say stimuli. I needed to take deep breaths the other day. It takes time. I will give everyone updates on how I am coping with working in a new environment.

.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

So true. As I said "thick skinned". I am a little wimpy but I think of it as a callous being formed. Metaphorically speaking it may have truth.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Quit.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'd stay for a month and if you still overwhelmed and down then you should quit. You should give it a chance. Not all people in the ICU are dying. Most recover from bypass surgery and other conditions and procedures.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Are you in nursing school?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No I am not. I went to school for clerical work. I just thought I would try something more stimulating and it backfired..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion