ICU fears!

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Hi everybody I currently work on a surgical ward within a large acute hospital, after being registered 2 years I am now applying for a post in ICU.

I have always wanted to work in ICU but I have worries and confidence issues as to whether I would be able to work in this area.

Just wondered if anyone else has ever gone from ward nurse to ICU nurse and what support did you get? how did you find the transition?

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Specializes in ICU.

Two years experience is a good start for ICU. Make sure that you get a mentor. There are national ICU competences, PDN assists our new nurses with theirs. Hope you enjoy ICU x

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Hey! Welcome to ITU!! You'll love it! I went to ITU after a year of working on the wards and I can honestly say it was the best decision ever. There are a few things I would say though....

1)Be prepared to work super hard. Learn all your normal values of blood results, arterial blood gases etc etc

2)Be prepared to hate it. Seriously, all my co-workers state they had a period when they could have seriously walked out and never come back. You WILL get over it!

3)Have a really good support system at work and at home. It's so emotionally draining and (funnily enough!) intense it's really nice to come home and have someone to vent/talk about eastenders with :) Equally, have a good mentor, as they will mentor you for years on the unit.

It's an amazing and difficult environment to work in, and make sure you get everything out of it. Be prepared for a couple of years really hard work, you'll get so much from it! Good luck! xxxx

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I worked for 6months on a busy trauma orthopedic surgery ward & hated it. Then I moved to ITU & now I love coming into work! You get to spend all you time with one patient & feels like you are making a huge difference in someones life! (Which you are!)

Everywhere is different with regards to induction periods but you generally get 8-10 weeks supernumerary (which can be longer, although I only had 8 weeks) where you shadow a nurse & they teach you the ropes. Everyone on my unit is lovely & helpful (even the Doctors!) & I think the majority of ITU are, from what I've heard on here & personally.

It's more intellectually demanding, you have to know about blood values (like Sam said) & have a good knowledge of anatomy & physiology but nothing that a few hours reading wouldn't cover. I love it now & it was the best decision I have ever made!

Good luck with the job, you'll love it!

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