ICU Nurses with OCD!!!

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Do all ICU nurses have OCD or something??! Cuz it sure seems like it! The people i work with in the SICU are so anal retentive and obsessive compulsive, i hate it. They are not friendly at all, they are a good example of nurses eating their young thing. As a new nurse i am finding it hard to live up to their expectations. Can anybody give me any type of advice/comments/anything about this pleaaasee???

I know you didn't mean to offend anyone, but I just wanted to say that there is definitely a difference from OCD and being clean, or anal. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is not just being really clean and a germaphobic. Being clean and having things done a certain way is a part of a nurses' job. OCD is not something that you just have "sometimes" or are a little, it is something that takes over your whole life and way of doing things. I suffer from OCD, and have as long as I can remember. Too many people over use the term OCD. It's not just being clean, it's about doing things until they are "just right". It's hard to explain it but you need to redo things until you feel like they are just right, even if you have to do them over and over again. I'm not saying some nurses don't have OCD (I'm sure many actually have it, it's the 4th most common neuropsychiatric illness in the US. I'm also not saying people on this website don't have it, because I'm sure many do!)

Your tone also states that having OCD is a bad thing. It is not at all. When I was first diagnosed with OCD I really resented myself. I can see why, too. People act like it is something people can control and just stop doing, when in reality, you can't. It's a disorder you can not help so please don't act like having OCD is a bad thing. Would you say the same thing about nurses suffering depression? I can't imagine someone saying "All ICU nurses suffer depression and it really bothers me! They are all so mean!" I'm not saying it's okay for nurses to have OCD when it puts their patients at harm and it is interfering with their work, either. I'm just saying I don't like how there is a negative tone associated with this disorder.

Once again I know you probably didn't mean to offend anyone by posting this, and I am really sorry you are going through a tough time in ICU. I am not a nurse yet so I don't have any advice on handling these nurses, but I just wanted to show you OCD from a different perspective.

You're right, i really didnt mean to offend anyone. Just venting my frustrations so i apologize if i used the term ocd in the wrong way. Another thing, i should clarify is that not "all" icu nurses have this behavior. Im just experiencing this on my unit. Also, thank you for sharing your story :)

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Holistic nursing is very important, but I'd say in the ICU the necessary details to preserving life need to take priority.

thank you!! this was an issue i was a little confused about, but you just made it a little clearer for me, im understanding more now.

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First, thanks to everyone for their input whatever it may be, i appreciate it. I just wanted to say that i dont want it to seem like i go into work seeking to socialize and make new friends. Honestly i really am too busy for that. But what i have been hoping to see from my co-workers is KINDNESS! Does it really hurt to be nice to the person you work with? especially the newbie!!! I'm not looking for hour long conversations, a date to the movies after work, or even unit parties, im not the least bit concerned about that. But when i have a question about a procedure, medication calculation, etc... so god forbid i dont kill the pt. it would be nice if i dont get looked down upon for asking these questions or then go talk about me behind my back. Thats what i mean about being nice and stuff. You dont have to be my friend, but common courtesy would be nice since we really are working as a TEAM!

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Right on!!! I agree with you nursern20! I am a new grad (5 months out) in ICU and there are a few people who breathe fire if you ask them questions! I have moved to nights and have found the unit to be a totally different place. The people on nights are more open to new grads and willing to teach, which was refreshing. Hang in there, I hope things get better for you.

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Specializes in ICU, Research, Corrections.

What bugs me are the messy nurses. There are two of them in my unit. Their patient rooms are a mess. Open syringe wrappers all over the room, trash cans overflowing, linen strewn about the pt's room. I may be messy at home but am a neatnick at work! I wonder how these two nurses are in their own homes? Does their mother come in and clean-up after them?

Good luck in your career!

Me too :angryfire We have one I hate to work with because the med room looks like the worst kitchen disaster you ever saw. Sodium bicarb leaked all over the counter and left to dry up, bits of smashed pills all over the counter, lactulose or any syrupy substance all over the place, syringe wrappers all over the counter. Hey, am I your maid? :trout:

I also find very interesting things in the patient's beds frequently. Hey, any one loose their scissors in here? Missing your ink pen? Try looking underneath the patient.......amazing what is in there.

Cleaning up clutter is the first thing I do after patient assessments. I am ambidextrous in picking things up. I have been known to throw away the repiratory therapist's tape while he is retaping if I am in cleaning/throw away mode, LOL.

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You're right, i really didnt mean to offend anyone. Just venting my frustrations so i apologize if i used the term ocd in the wrong way. Another thing, i should clarify is that not "all" icu nurses have this behavior. Im just experiencing this on my unit. Also, thank you for sharing your story :)

I figured as much :) That wasn't really directed torwards you just in general. Sorry you are going through such a stressful time, this place is a great place to vent!

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Hi I,M AM ICU NURSE AND HAVE TO AGREE WITH OTHER FOLKS THAT TO WORK ON ICU,YOU HAVE TO BE MEGA ORGANISED, HAVE A GOOD MEMORY AND BE THOROUGH WITH PATIENTS,UNCONCIOUS PATIENTS CAN,T TELL YOU THEY NEED MOVING, OR HAVE THRUSH IN THEIR MOUTH ECT ECT.mOST NURSE,S I HAVE COME ACROSS ARE FRIENDLY BUT GENERALLY BUISY,HOURLY OBS ON ICU A NIGHTMARE,AND DEALING WITH DISTRESSED RELATIVES VERY STRESSFUL.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Cardiothoracics, VADs.

I think everyone has answered your concerns adequately regarding "ICU personality" and I'd have to agree that even though I'm a complete slob at home, I am anal retentively neat and clean at work, because sh1t happens when you're not.

However, having a unit conducive to new grads is a different matter. This sounds like a unit culture in your workplace. Many places have the same problem. Then again, many have structured orientation programs for new grads, with learning opportunities and multiple preceptors willing to teach and learn from grads. Are there other new grads in your unit? Maybe you can offer to organise a support group type of arrangement. Or talk to your preceptor about his/her expectations. Most ICU nurses are actually thrilled to share their knowledge, if you catch them at the right time.

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I am completely anal at work, whether it's about washing hands or labeling/untangling IVs or having clean, disinfected counters.

However, I do NOT understand why some nurses live to terrorize other nurses when the issue does not affect patient safety or quality of care. I hate messes just as much as the next person, but that's my problem and my standard for myself; I have no authority to make the last nurse feel awful, especially if they're new. I don't know any other profession where it is acceptable for coworkers to get in each others' business to the same extent as nursing does.

Just my opinion.

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Specializes in ICU.

I'm so OCD that my students laugh at me. The tease me about not being able to function unless I have all of my lines labeled (and, yes color-coded...Red labels on Xigris and Bicarcb, green on ns, yellow on other drugs that may be compatable with some things, but not with others like Neo, Levo, Versed,....). I even got some butt pats for being the only one who could get the ng, art, tlc, periph, vent, and dialysis lines sorted, orgtanized, and COMPLETELY untangled in a rotoprone. When I walk into my room in the morning, I end up spending the first twenty minutes getting things sorted. Granted, I don't get upset with others because they don't have it the way I want, unless it's a pt safety issue...That's just where we have to draw thew line. I guess you could say that I am one with my OCD, and its Good For Me.

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ICU nurses can be nice. I am an ICU nurse, but I believe its hard and not a place for new grads.. Please not misunderstand.. I was a new nurse once too. The ICU is a dangerous place and its true we dont have time to teach a new nurse.. the residents alone keep us on our toes.. we have to keep them from killing someone!! Please go to medsurg and get yourself together and learn more advanced skills before you jump in with both feet. You will be more welcomed.. When you come in without the proper education and EXPERIENCE we have to pick up the slack and some are pretty bitter about doing their job and yours....

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Specializes in Rehab/Post Acute.

Wow-- I have mild OCD (though I'm told for me it's so mild that it's obsessive compulsive personality, and not a disorder)-- anyway I was afraid it would make me a bad nurse-- I'm very glad to hear that it can be a good thing hehehe!

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