New Grad in the ICU

[vastudent09]

:redbeatheHELLOO! well I know this topic has been discussed before but..

I have been a tech in the ICu for 2 years, did a 5 week preceptorship over the summer in that ICU, and a 120 hour preceptorship for school in that same ICU... and now i am about to start working there as an RN !

well NEWAYS- I am really nervous now becasue I knwo the staff and I feel like I am expected to "know everything" becasue I have been there for a while.

I was jsut kinda looking for opinions/ feelings about working with new grads in the ICU, and kinda what your expectations of them are?

[NIUredblack]

I think that a lot of older ICU nurses get upset to see that new grads are able to now work in ICU right out of school. These type of nurses had to "work their way up" (some taking 1-3 or more yrs) to work ICU from meg/surg or SDU's so maybe it's hard for them to envision a new grad doing well in ICU right out of school.

I agree. I had a few older nurses on my floor kind of scoff at me when I was sitting for CCRN after my 1750 hrs of clinical experience. "You need at least 3-5 years experience before you should even start thinking about it." Needless to say I passed. Anyways I was lucky enough to be on an ICU that hires lots of new grads, the staff (old and younger) are very receptive to us and always willing to help answer questions.

I think it's mostly about your attitude. New grads, don't go in and act like you know everything. You don't. Be humble. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

[MaverickyMaverick]

This discussion is scaring me as I am also a nsg student working in an icu hoping to be hired as a new grad.... deep breath ... we can do it!

To our Preceptors: we truly want to make you proud...we're going to need your recommendation later.

:stdnrsrck:

RUBY: I would love to have you be my preceptor!!!