I know there are many of us who took that cliff dive right into the ICU. I know all areas are equally as difficult, and believe me, I would be scared poop less to start on any general med surg floor after having only 2 patients a piece. However, I just thought I'd share a few words of wisdom to any new grad nurse just starting, I have 8 months in now.
#1: EXERCISE!!! It helps keep your mind and body sharp, and trust me when you have to turn Mr. Jones who's 200kg, you'll be happy to have strong buns and back! I didnt start until halfway into my career, and it has made me 10x better at my job!
#2: learn to DELEGATE: There will be days you can't do it all. Feel free to ask Nurse Jill over there reading a magazine to fix your beeping IV, I swear she wont mind! One day you'll be there to help her too!
#3: HELP OTHERS! People will like you so much more if you offer to help them out when you have down time. Even if its something little like helping with a bath, be approachable and always offer. Most people will be happy you are willing to give them a hand, especially when train wrecks roll through the door.
#4: ALWAYS take a lunch! Even if its 10 minutes, take some time out to breathe. Trust me, someone wont mind to watch your patients for 10 minutes while you just take a moment to breathe and eat something. Do this even if it means some work will be left for the next shift. Just explain the situation, they will most likely understand and be happy to help. We're a team, its not you against the world even though sometimes it seems that way.
#5: VENT!!!! If you've had a bad day, find someone and TELL THEM ABOUT IT!! Dont get caught up in gossip, but talk about bad days to your sig other, mom, dad, just SOMEONE! If anything, write about it on here!
#6: Don't beat yourself up, YOU WILL MAKE MISTAKES!! I have already written MYSELF up at least 10 times for errors I made. All of them were small, but because you are willing to do this it shows honestly and people will respect you for it. No one is perfect. There have been days I forgot to come to work, I have forgotten to give meds alltogether, and I have given the wrong med at the wrong time. You WILL do this! Everyone has!!
#7: If you dont desperately need to do overtime, DONT! I thought I really needed to work that extra time to make extra $$$ but I realized it just wasn't worth it, and it lead to burnout QUICKLY!! If all you want to do is 3 shifts in a week and thats all you need to do, do it! And dont feel bad about calling out just to relax if you've had a bad week, believe me, we dont want you here if you're going to be a crab or mess things up. (just dont make a habit of it, )
#8: Take time out for YOU!! Do something that makes you happy, get a massage, get a facial, go shopping, do something that makes you feel pamepered and special. We take care of people all the time, take care of you too! Again, I'm just learning these things too. Sometimes it's hard, but do it!!
Just a few of my ideas, and when I look at these, they are kind of no brainers but really take the time out to do them!!! This could work for any kind of unit but I guess all I know is ICU. I am loving my 8 months but I wished someone told me this stuff when I started. I hope it helps any overwhelmed, underslept new grads out there!
I'm in California. I'm a Type A Personality and really have the urge to work in ICU. I want the mental, physical challenge and technical gadgets that go with it.
Well then it sounds like you know exactly what you want. Good luck with everything. Let me know how it goes. I'm in NY and I wish I could be so sure about things... :stone
) 
imfunny
5 Posts
mjick- will you be working in NY? just curious...