New Crit Care Nurse!

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Hi guys,

I recently obtained a position in an ICU and will be studying my post-grad diploma in Intensive Care Nursing. I finished my Grad year in 2013 and worked on a busy Medical Ward for a year to gain some more experience. Just wanted any tips from current Intensive Care Nurses, really want to make the most of this year and do well so any helpful hints would be really great! Also I worked within a great multidisciplinary team so I am only having second thoughts because of that! So any supportive messages would also be great!

Naomi

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Specializes in Critical Care; Recovery.

Biggest thing you can study is ACLS and know what to do in various scenarios. Also study Blood gases, ventilator management, common vasopressors (there are various charts comparing the most common vasopressors on the web), sedation in the icu (propofol, versed, fentanyl, etc), sedation assessment such as RASS, train of four assessment, Glasgow coma scale, neuro assessment for the unconscious patient, cvp and arterial line monitoring, and knowing where to check drug compatibility (we use clinical pharmacology to check). That should be more than enough to get you started. I can give you plenty of excellent YouTube video links to support these topics if you like.

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Thankyou that would be really great! I will definitely have a look at them

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Specializes in Critical Care; Recovery.

Ok, will do when I get some time. Maybe later today.

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