ICU Training

Creamsoda, ASN, RN · Jul 17, 2009

If you want adrenaline, go to Emerg, but even then, you wont get the good stuff untill you have more experience. Same with ICU, its controlled chaos. Its long term management of Critically sick patients. As a new person in ICU your going to get the chronic patients who are stable and will slowly start to get more experience with sicker patients. I can garantee if you were to get the sickest patient on the unit you wouldnt know what to do with yourself. If you had a patient in cardiogenic shock, mixed with septic shock, a PA line, artline, CRRT with multiple inotropes and vasopressors, horrible looking ABG's, liver failure, bleeding patient on full ventilator support I can be pretty sure you would want to run the other way. Yes those patients are awesome to have as you need to use all your critical thinking, but only after youve had experience can you manage them. But seeing as how you are in school, ask to have a sicker patient so you can get a feel for it. I would recomend you dont say to your instructor that you are "bored". Start reading and really looking into the pathophysiology of your patients. ICU can be very predictable, but other times it can be chaos. It just all depends on they day. But if there is a code going on, go watch, offer to do CPR. Its not always adrenaline in ICU. Emerg has more of the uncontrolled chaos as you dont know what coming in the door. ICU is a great place to learn the real pathophysiology behind disease processes that you often dont get in emerg because the pt;s are there then theyre gone.

NurseKeiKei · Jul 17, 2009

Hi Creamsoda,

This is a wonderful response. I am currently leaning towards ICU when I graduate and I have a fear that I won't get to see some of that "drama series" stuff that you come to expect from watching tv. Maybe I am thinking of the ER. Your response made me realize that this is exactly why I want to do ICU. I want to know the intricate details and "underworkings" of a disease process. Thanks so much for your take.

itskaye · Jul 17, 2009

Thank you Creamsoda.

I think you are absolutely right. I guess the way things are right now is suitable for me who just graduated. I'm pretty much sure that I would be frazzled when I get the toxic cases. This is a perfect learning experience. I still have 2 months to gain experience. :nuke: I am just sooo excited!

That's the only two areas I am really really interested in working - the ICU and the ER.

Can't wait to learn so much more! :nurse:

MedSurgeMess · Jul 17, 2009

I don't wanna sound mean, but if you want the "drama tv stuff" then keep on watching tv. The real stuff is better, but is nothing like what you see on ER or House--nothing ends up the way it does on the tv. I would recommend the ER if you want the heart pumping challenge of the unknown.

itskaye · Jul 17, 2009

I don't wanna sound mean, but if you want the "drama tv stuff" then keep on watching tv. The real stuff is better, but is nothing like what you see on ER or House--nothing ends up the way it does on the tv. I would recommend the ER if you want the heart pumping challenge of the unknown.

MedSurgeMess,

You don't sound mean at all. I totally understand why you would think that. I guess I'm just looking for more things that I could do during my shift. I have only trained for only a month and so far, I only experienced around three patients going into code. I was hoping to see a lot of coding (Now, that's mean.). :uhoh21:

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jul 17, 2009

talk to your supervisor. Could be they are letting you get comfortable in the unit before giving you tougher patients.

Diaper, RN · Jul 17, 2009

I think you should talk to your preceptor and ask your preceptor to give you more responsibilities.

When I first started in the ICU, my preceptor let me to observe and do vital signs, I&O..etc. As I progressed, I began to take 2 patients and gave meds...etc. Sometimes, we have 'down time' when we don't have a lot to do. But most of the time, we all running around and assisting the MD to intubate the patient.

itskaye · Jul 18, 2009

talk to your supervisor. Could be they are letting you get comfortable in the unit before giving you tougher patients.

I think you should talk to your preceptor and ask your preceptor to give you more responsibilities.
When I first started in the ICU, my preceptor let me to observe and do vital signs, I&O..etc. As I progressed, I began to take 2 patients and gave meds...etc. Sometimes, we have 'down time' when we don't have a lot to do. But most of the time, we all running around and assisting the MD to intubate the patient.

Yeah. I will do that. Sometimes, when we don't ask, we don't get anything. Thanks again. You guys have been very helpful. :up:

luckyprinsesa · Sep 8, 2009

Hi Kaye. Just want to ask where you are having your ICU Training. And what were the procedures you had to undergo before having been accepted in that training? Hoping for your response. Thanks v. much!

p.s. Do you know of other hospitals that offer ICU Training besides the hospital where you are training at? Thank you!