New Grad In ICU

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Specializes in ICU.

I'm a new graduate scheduled to graduate in a couple of weeks and I have the opportunity to work in an ICU. It's not specifically a medical ICU, but a general ICU that involves medical/surgical/burn/etc. patients. I'm wondering if anyone can give me some advice on reading or studying I should be doing from the time I take my NCLEX to the time I start my job (about 1 month). Any advice is appreciated.

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Specializes in School Nurse; ICU.

I started straight from nursing school to the ICU-it is a huge learning curve but one that I loved and wouldn't trade for the world. I would start getting to know the emergency medications and patho of the major stuff you are going to be seeing (heart, lungs, GI, etc) so that those things can be a little bit more ingrained.

Having said that, it is really a learn on the job thing-take the basics you know (and they are very much basic) and watch. Learn, reread about the patho and drugs that you come into contact with every day, and know that most of what you learn is going to be on the job with your feet running.

I am assuming that you will have at least 6 months mentorship-if not, I would think hard about the job. That 6 months was spent doing the things I said above, as well as hammering my poor mentor on all kinds of questions and skills.

Like I said, I wouldn't have changed it for the world. It is definitely demanding and you need to be able to study after your shift to keep up for the next day but it is good if you are willing to put in the extra time and energy..

Good Luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Concentrate on your boards first. Then here are 2 really good sites.......

icufaqs.org index

and

Welcome to Critical Care Medicine Tutorials

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hey guys i know this doesn't apply to the question he asked but i need some advice. How do i get into an ICU straight out of school? I just started my nursing program but when i get out i wanna get a job immediately in an ICU. Hospitals around here only hire if you have previous experience so there lies my problem. Any advice would help tremendously. thanks

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Specializes in ICU.

No worries Esme12, I realize that without passing the boards the position is nullified. My focus will be directed toward passing the NCLEX before I start preparing for the ICU floor. I will have a 6 month residency program cav5, one of the many reasons I chose the position. I figured most of the learning would be from experience on the floor, never hurts to prepare beforehand though.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Boards, and then take what you can from the residency program. If it is a normal residency program you will have classroom time and clinical time. Don't spend all your time reading and studying. You have a big transition to go through and you will need to take up a hobby or something for FUN...something I know I forgot all about during Nursing school!!!!:bugeyes:

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i know this is going to sound strange, but apply out of state. i have to opposite problem at the moment. i have 3+ years experience and the hospitals where i am only want the new grads!

i have started applying out of state to try to solve the problem. i live in south florida, miami to be specific. i know there is opportunity for new grads down here.

do you mind me asking whereabouts you live? i'd like to research the hospitals that want a bit of experience.

good luck

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