I want to quit ICU after one week.

[Lady4Scrubs]

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.

[Libby1987]

If you're not in or going for nursing school then do what enriches your life while paying the bills. If DD is it, them go back and thrive in that environment.

[Mavrick, BSN, RN]

I'm always fascinated by disillusioned newbies to the ICU / nursing. Obviously it wasn't what you expected.

My question: What did you expect and where did you get that impression?

[Lady4Scrubs]

More interaction. I made a mistake, sue me! Many nurses have the heart of a lion. They are very strong. I am not. I learned the hard way.

[elijahvegas, ASN, RN, EMT-P]

get out before you accidentally hurt someone. I dont mean that as a reflection of your skills, but, all that anxiety going to work every shift has got to take its toll on your work at some point, and the way you've described your demeanor if there were to be a bad outcome with your hand in the process that might destroy you emotionally and mentally. If you think you can tough it out, by all means go for gold. Not everyone was born thick-skinned, i'm sure there were plenty of nurses that started every shift silently screaming in horror as their day began (this guy). But if youre certain its not for you, get out now.

I've often toyed with the idea of ICU and other CC units but ive realized im more enamored with the idea of having that kind of critical care knowledge than i am actually having that level of responsibility. so unless i'm really up for a change of pace and a new challenge, i'll leave the ICU to the big dogs that know they can handle it.

[nutella, MSN, RN]

Critical care is not for everybody. It is a specialty setting like many other specialties that are not a good fit for every person. I have worked in critical care with all patients intubated/sedated/vented/not moving and I also worked in small not so acute ICU where patients were getting a food tray ...

This setting seems not to be for you - look for something else!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

It takes a smart person to realize that a certain nursing specialty might not be for him/her. I wouldn't want to work in critical care either, largely due to the extremely high acuity levels of the patients.

Good luck to you.

[qaqueen]

Everybody has a best fit somewhere. Find yours.

[Guttercat, ASN, RN]

More interaction. I made a mistake, sue me! Many nurses have the heart of a lion. They are very strong. I am not. I learned the hard way.

Actually, I think it is the opposite.

I fared quite decently in ICU right out of nursing school. I did not have "the heart of a lion." In fact, it quite was the opposite. ICU afforded me the opportunity to focus on machines and technical skills without being distracted (as much) by the emotional element. That doesn't mean I didn't care...I cared a lot...but it allowed me to compartmentalize emotions so that I could focus on learning and problem solving.

[Mavrick, BSN, RN]

More interaction. I made a mistake, sue me! Many nurses have the heart of a lion. They are very strong. I am not. I learned the hard way.

This response makes no sense. Who are you angry at?

[neuron]

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.

I remember the first dead body I had to clean as a CNA. I got through it but it was more a learning experience. I knew the lady, from the facility and I enjoyed going in to her room. Very pleasant lady. When she died, I didn't dread my duties, I thought about what kind of life she lived and that her family would be sad. I don't do it anymore, but when I do walk in to room and a pt. is unresponsive (LTC), has death coming, I get a little startled still by the 'unresponsiveness' and it is LTC. I love being in the facility or in a position to help when they can't help themselves.

[Spurse32]

I think it's cool that you know yourself well enough to know your limitations. Thats a sign of a competent person, in my opinion. However, one week is nothing. Unless your gut is absolutely telling you that this is a red flag, try to stick it out like others said. You know best though.

I admire your courage on getting feedback when finding yourself in a difficult situation. Good luck on what you decide!

[TheBerriGirl]

I am a new nurse working in the MICU, so i feel your pain. Give it some time you will adapt to the change. At the beginning i felt the same you did while working in the ICU, i hated it, but it was because i wasn't use to my surroundings and the acuity of the patients. Once you get the hang of what you are trying to do it will become second nature and you will love your job. I hope this helps.

P.S.

Ive only been a nurse for 6 months and I've officially been on my own for a little over a month now, so i feel you girl!