New Grad BSN to start in MICU

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Hello everyone! I'm going to graduate a BSN program at Belmont University in Nashville, TN in about 16 days. I have a job at the Univerisity of Virginia in their MICU. I was hoping if anyone else works there as well if there are any general MICU preparations I can make. It's close to the holidays and I can add some valuable texts to the library if there are some that are "essential".

Anyways, I'm super excited to get out there and use my brain for good and do the best I can for people who need it. Something about grasping physiological process as they are expressed in altered health patterns seems very enticing to me.

Thank you guys in advance. I've found these forums to be quite helpful over the past 2 years.

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first of all, congratulations are getting a job in icu. you will find it challenging but stimulating, i think. mark hammerschmidt, an rn and member here, has put together a website called icufaqs.org which is excellent. you will find lots of great information there. there are many other resources but start there. good luck.

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Specializes in SRNA.

Congrats! I second that website.

There are many concepts you learn in critical care that don't click until you experience it at the bedside. For example, it's one thing to read about hemodynamics, it's another thing to level a transducer and actually see how patient positioning, drugs, and other interventions affect hemodynamics. I think as a new grad, reading about certain things ahead of time will be helpful, but it'll be hard for you to apply the information until you see it.

Your hospital should be providing you with an adequate orientation to the ICU that lasts

around 12 weeks, give or take. Also, you'll probably go through ECCO and PACEP, which lay the foundation for essential critical care knowledge. Pay attention, strive to excel, and seek out diverse patient experiences while you have a preceptor with you.

I think my best advice is to never be afraid to ask questions! This stands for when you're out of orientation and practicing independently.

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I am a new grad that will be starting in MSICU in January. I have found the "icufaqs" to be extremely useful as well as "The ICU Book" by Marino.. However there is only so much reading you can do to prepare. Obviously our orientation/residency will be where our foundation is gained as an ICU nurse.. Good luck and we should keep each other updated!

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Specializes in SRNA.

A great reference I use is Fast Facts For Adult Critical Care by Kathy White. You can get it as a physical book or PDA Program (http://www.kathywhite.com) or as a program for your iPhone (visit the App store).

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Thank you guys so much! I had ran across icufaqs.org while having an idle evening at work. It is very well put together in a no frills sort of way. I do agree that concepts are good to cerebrally know ahead of time, but they usually do not click until you manipulate or see it in a clinical setting. My senior practicum was spent in a Neuro ICU and got to do a lot of manipulation of pressors, osmol, and EVD's to maintain ICP goals. I learned so much in just a short period of time and can't wait until I'm getting paid to do something I love.

And, JREXRN, I would love to keep in touch to share experiences as we grow into our new field.

I don't have access to a PDA/smart phone yet, but I will add Marino's ICU book to my amazon wish list and see who bites on it. If there's anything else, lemme know. I'll be cramming for the NCLEX, but I've noticed that Acute Care/Adult Health II is a culmination of all Nursing skills in one class (save PEDS and OB). So, if I'm studying ICU info, I'm still studying for the NCLEX.

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Specializes in SICU, MICU, CICU, NeuroICU.

Remember to be eager to learn and willing to help.

Never get caught sitting around doing nothing. It doesn't look good.

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Hello Belmont_Murse, if you can still receive updates on this message!

I am a prospective Belmont nursing student, definitely interested in their fast-track program because this will be my 2nd degree. Did you enjoy their nursing program? Any major pros or cons? The tuition is not a con in my book, I hear their program is pretty good and worth the price. Any advice you can offer would be superb! Also, how were you able to land an ICU job straight out of school? Congrats on all your success and hope you are doing well in VA =).

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Pros: excellent, challenging program; lots of exposure; great support system; classes generally work with and build upon one another; great support for finding employment.

Cons: major time suck, you will have no time for anything else; rigorous acedamia, +/- grade scale drops your gpa.

If you put forth the effort you will love it. Such a rewarding career.

As far as the MICU job, you have to be ambitious willing to be humbled and have some solid booksmarts. But, you're going to Belmont, so the books are aleady yours.

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Thank You SOO much for replying. I am ready for the challenge - mostly interested in the "Fast Track" program so that I can have summers off for externships to help me land a job later on. Belmont really seems like the best fit and your input has no doubt helped me in my decision :up::yeah:

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