New Graduate in ICU

[nicenurse01]

I'm a new graduate in the Intensive Care Unit, I've been there for 8 weeks, and have been on my own for 4 weeks.

For the past 2 weeks I've been getting allocated very difficult patients because the team leaders want the new graduates to get exposure, which makes sense.

But I just feel so incompetent and that I don't know enough, and everyone knows it. It's such a difficult place to work, and learning so many things at once is so overwhelming and scary!

I'm just wondering if any other new graduates in ICU have felt this way and how they improved and handled the stress? Or any useful websites, textbooks, tips etc?

Thank you :)

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

I was assigned a resource person (working the same shift) who I could ask questions throughout the shift. Talk to your co-workers about your fears. They were in your place at one point in their career and someone helped them through the transition. Hopefully they are willing to pay it forward. They may know it all now, but they were a fresh new grad at some point.

Find the "go to" person on your unit. They are the person that everyone goes to if they need advice on something. If they are approachable, try to have them as a mentor. Having them as a mentor will help you immensely.

[offlabel]

Get a medical text book of critical care and read it both from cover to cover and by looking up specific issues you're dealing with. Having a strong practical foundation in day to day critical care will increase your confidence immensely. You Tube is good too.

[MICURN5280]

I wasn't a New Grad in ICU but its "good" to have that overwhelming fear. I do and still do have the butterflies when i go in or get a new patient regardless of acuity, and thats also with 12 years EMS under my belt and my med surg/onc time. Its better to be afraid than not.

Kathy white "fast facts for critical care" is a great resource. I would hope your facility puts you through Ecco Essentials of Critical Care Orientstion through the AACN as well.

Best of luck, remember a good nurse asks why and how. If you dont know, ask. ICU nurses will help you out and would rather have you ask than not and harm a patient. You dont know everything its ok to admit that espically in the ICU. Expect it to take a few years before you settle in. All eyes will be on you being new, help your teammates out with anything, it exposes you to other patients and shows youre a team player. Know your meds and know what, why and when before you do.

I fear a new grad or nurse who isnt hesitant. Your patients are Sick! Theyre in the ICU right? Its natural to be overwhelmed, experience, time and Versed (kidding) will aleviate it some. But, always maintain a healthy baseline level of WTF.

Best

[ICURN1028]

It is completely normal and expected to feel this way when first starting! I went into the ICU with previous RN experience and the ECCO course completed -- and still felt overwhelmed and scared to touch anything!

My advice: ask questions or for help with anything you're unsure of. It's better to ask than potentially harm your patients. Do not be embarrassed, we were all there!

Also, for every patient you care for, keep a notebook and jot down diagnoses/procedures/treatments/etc you're unfamiliar with and look those up on your days off. Reviewing a little each day will greatly benefit you months and years down the line because you will know the rationale for what you are doing.

Good luck, you got this!! You'll be the resource on your unit before you know it!