I'm seeking information about Texas nursing school programs (or any others, really) who have an entire course in ICU. Our school requires ICU after med surge and this is the class that usually flunks students out of nursing school!
In this class, we are tested on hemodynamic monitoring, all forms of shock to include what the shock is doing to hemodynamics: svr, preload, afterload, PAP, PAWP, etc. We are also tested on 12 lead EKGs, and dysrythmias other than the common ones like; junctional escape, supraventricular tach, etc. The Nursing board states that content requirements should include: Med surge, Peds, OB, and mental health (all of which we also have). Need some input from this great community to let me know if this content is a bit "advanced" or if I'm just not smart enough to grasp this as "basic" nursing elements?
Just need to get a feel for what's out there and determine if this class should not determine graduation.
While some schools do teach more about critical care, I don't think the level of instruction the OP is describing is required by the NLN nor is tested for on the NCLEX. But I can imagine that it's a big benefit to students to learn that content. Given how quickly topics are covered in NS (no guided instruction on processing or applying the knowledge), it's hard to imagine that students are seriously expected the master the material and more likely that they are expected to have just enough familiarity with it that they don't come across as completely ignorant when presented with it in the work environment. On a more cynical note, the schools can brag about their in depth instruction and blame the students for not studying hard enough if they haven't mastered 500 pages of critical care skills and concepts in five weeks.
I had an entire 8 week semester in an ICU "critical care" class. We study the whole gammet of topics from rhythm strips, shock, burns, trauma, hemodynamic monitoring, vents, DIC, and renal. All of our clinicals were in the ICU setting (I was in a CCU/MICU). I'm glad my school had the opportunity for the 75% of my class that wants to be ICU nurses, me personally, I learned alot but still never want to work in an ICU.
jjjoy, LPN
2,801 Posts
While some schools do teach more about critical care, I don't think the level of instruction the OP is describing is required by the NLN nor is tested for on the NCLEX. But I can imagine that it's a big benefit to students to learn that content. Given how quickly topics are covered in NS (no guided instruction on processing or applying the knowledge), it's hard to imagine that students are seriously expected the master the material and more likely that they are expected to have just enough familiarity with it that they don't come across as completely ignorant when presented with it in the work environment. On a more cynical note, the schools can brag about their in depth instruction and blame the students for not studying hard enough if they haven't mastered 500 pages of critical care skills and concepts in five weeks.