New Grad RN going into ICU - prepare?

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Hello!

I graduated with my BSN this fall and accepted a position as an ICU nurse! I'll have a residency period where I figure I will learn how the facility wants things done and learn a lot. But, I have a month until I start and was wondering what people recommend doing to prepare for their first days as an ICU nurse (or what you wish you had done)!

Any other advice you recommend to be successful in this field??

Thank you so much!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Capacity/Bed Management.

Congratulations on your first job as a registered nurse. I too began in the ICU as a new grad through a residency program. Some things you can do to prepare yourself is to brush up on some of the common critical care meds utilized in your ICU.

Vasopressors: Levophed, Epinephrine, Neosynephrine, Vasopressin, Dopamine, Dobutamine, Milrinone, etc

Sedatives: Propofol, Precedex, Versed, Ketamine, etc

Analgesics: Dilaudid, Morphine, Fentanyl, Demerol, etc

Anti-epileptics: phenytoin, keppra, phosphenytoin, etc

Some things you may also want to become acquainted is with terms like CAUTI, CLABSI, VAP and VTE; just general guidelines on prevention and bundle usage.

A lot of this will be covered as part of your critical care course, but it never hurts to review lightly. best of luck!

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I was wondering what you did to prepare for your interview as a new grad to get into the ICU. I recently accepted a scholarship with a guaranteed new grad position once I gradutate and take the NCLEX. I will be applying for ICU but I was wondering if you had any tips to help me prepare.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Capacity/Bed Management.

Unfortunately, I cannot give you any great insider tips. I worked as a tech in the ICU for 6 years, upon receiving my license my manager offered me a position.

However, some general things to remember; dress professional, be on time (early by about 15 minutes), bring multiple copies of your resume and any certificates you may have (BLS/ACLS), ask questions regarding patient population, infection rates, weekend commitment, length of orientation.

It's important to do some research on the facility and get acquainted with their mission and target population, it will show them that you have a vested interest.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I still find myself looking these things up since we only work 3 days a week. Forget every time I have a day off.

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Bring at least 2 pens and wear deodorant.

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Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

Yes, deodorant is key! Especially in the required white scrub tops.

It definitely seems like it would be wise to review meds in these various categories, even if I plan on looking them up on the floor it cannot hurt to be fresh on what they're treating and adverse reactions, etc.

Part of the residency includes a basic ICU RN course and training on all the ICU floors. I was considering purchasing the CCRN test study books and just working through some questions to help get me in the correct mindset for this type of work, since I have no ICU experience besides a single day of clinical. Is this something that anyone would recommend? If so, what book would be a good one to acquire?

Thanks!

As for the interview, it was horrible. I felt like I failed completely and utterly! It was just a non-stop barrage of questioning/interrogation. To prepare for it, I went online and looked up a lot of questions for ICU job interviews and really put some effort into how I responded to them. Even though almost none of the questions during the interview were what I'd prepared with, having put such thought into my responses gave me the material to use for the other various topics. It really was just fast-paced, demanding, and stressful, basically how I expect the actual work to be! ;) (but not the horrible part)

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The ICU can be a great experience with a good team around you or horrible with a bad one. there is no real way of knowing until you speak to people or get in there and find out. Every unit seems to have a few good nurses who strive to be excellent, but there are also the "know-it-alls" who get all up in your business and they love new nurses cause everyone else in the unit is sick of them. So, find a good mentor and not always the one who wants to be that person. Never take what someone tells you as fact - look it up. Read your protocols as they can save your behind. When you get stressed with family members, walk away and take 5 minutes to regain your calm.

If a patient is crashing nearby go help! or at least let those in the room know you are available. In some units nurses tend to scatter when stuff goes down.

The best advice I ever received was to just remember it is 12 hours and you can withstand just about anything for 12 hours. So even the worst day you ever have will eventually end and you get to leave it behind and go home.

Best of luck..

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Specializes in Critical Care, Capacity/Bed Management.

I cannot agree with JellyDonut more, every shift has an end!

I would not pick up a CCRN book as a new nurse in the ICU, it may be overwhelming. Instead focus on your critical care course and learn as much as you can. the CCRN study books tend to get into the nitty gritty details of ICU nursing which may not be helpful at this point in your career.

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index

amazing resource for anyone new to the ICU

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ICUFAQS.org I believe or .com. Also "emcrit.org or .com haha. Also, the emcrit podcast. Look up a lecture called "dominating the vent 1 and 2" I listen to these at least once a month. Also "vasopressor basics" that should do you well for a while. Everything you touch in ICU is powerful meds/machines and patient population is much more sensitive to everything physiologically so when in DOUBT DONT just ask. ALSO never flush a line that you don't know what was infusing in it. Blessings on your new step. The ICU is awesome and very rewarding. Learn something everyday.

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Specializes in ICU, CCU, Cardiac.

Have a look at http://www.nu2icu.com to help get your head around the basics. We all start somewhere... good luck!

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