New GN in CCU

Hi,

I just started in the CCU and came from only 1 year and a 1/2 of ortho rehab. I felt and still feel the way you do. All I can say is hang in there. You will learn a lot but each day is a new opportunity to do things better. If you feel you may faint let your preceptor know so she won't have 2 pts at once.

I've been in CCU for 5 months now and really love the job. I was not a brand-new grad but pretty close -- only a few months of experience on a tele unit. If they are used to having new grads and have a solid, structured orientation program, you will probably be fine. 16 weeks -- wow, I'm jealous; I only got 8 and am still trying to get into some of the classes I was promised.

As for fainting -- well, if you've made it through nursing school without fainting, that's a good start :)

I fainted once on the job, about a month ago, and it was because I did not take care of myself. I was helping with a dressing change. The wound was extensive, but far from the worst I've seen, and I'd had the pt before. Suddenly everything turned to yellow spots, my fingers began to tingle, and a perceptive fellow nurse managed to hurl me onto a nearby recliner before I hit the floor. VERY embarrassing!

The reason I'd passed out is that I hadn't eaten in over 24 hours. I'm having major problems adapting to night shift (I've mentioned it in other posts and won't belabor it here.) The previous day, I'd decided I would rather sleep than eat, drink, shower, or anything else. I'd come home that a.m., took an Ambien, and literally just woke up in time to throw on scrubs and run out the door.

Moral: take care of yourself! It's stressful! I hope you remain free of sleep issues -- most people do just fine. But remember to eat regularly -- even when there seems to be no time -- and stay hydrated. I now have a power bar on me at all times for when there's no time for a decent meal, and I keep a big cup of ice water at my desk to sip every time I'm charting.

Congrats on the new position and good luck!

Thanks so much for the words of advice. I am so nervous. I went out and bought a few books on cardiology and during my interview with the RN manager, I asked her about a good book on EKG's (she had already told me she would offer me the position :)) She said a book by the author "Dublin" but couldn't remember the name. Anyone know about or any other recommendations. She also told me she has 2 cardiology books written for physicians she would recommend. I don't even know where to start. Let me know of anything you experts know about..thanks!

Hi! I actually just started working in mid-September as a new grad in the CT-ICU at a large teaching hospital. The hospital had set up an ICU New Grad orientation program which involves a 6 to 9 month orientation, numerous classes, the computer course ECCO (essentials of critical care orientation), and so on. I am just now finished with orientation and I'm only qualified to take care of the basic pt population. I will need to go back on orienation for short stints to later take fresh post op hearts, work with balloon pumps, new transplants, and VADs. Even after 7 months of orientation I feel like there is still so much to learn, but I don't regret going straight into an ICU. I think the most important thing is whether or not you feel like there is enough support to help you when you don't know what to do. Does the staff seem to work together, are there NPs on the unit, etc. Although I worry about being on my own, I'm constantly being told that I'll have the support if I ask for it, which makes me feel better. A lot of the knowledge needs to come with experience, so although I get frustrated with myself at times for not knowing as much as everyone else, I know I'll get there in time. Good luck with your new job! If you think you want to work in the ICU then you should do it.