New to ICU with no clue

[nurse4theplanet, RN]

I am about to be finished with my first year of nursing school and I have taken on a Nurse Tech position in the ICU. I will be like the nurses sidekick, doing assessments, giving some meds, and basically shadowing to learn about real world nursing (plus all the baths, linens, and cath care). I want to make sure I am prepared.

Any advice from experienced critical care nurses?

Any good books to read before I dive in?

Any PDA software that will be helpful?

Thanks in Advance,

Brittney:p

[babyktchr, BSN, RN]

OOOOH....I was in nursing school when I started a critical care tech job. I worked there while in school and then stayed after I graduated. I LOVED it. It was sooooo scary at first and there was lots and lots to learn. Eventually I became very comfy and learned TONS. Listen and watch everything, ask lots of questions and just be a sponge. I eventually got to do lots of stuff, and probably a lot of stuff I wasn't supposed to. My transition to RN was very nice and uneventful and I had a rapport already with the docs and the nurses.

Just remember to give yourself time and don't get discouraged. There is a lot to learn in ICU. There are lots of bells and whistles and lots of things to play with. The key to ICU is learning what all that does, and then learning WHY.

Good luck to you

[ERNurse752, RN]

A guy on this board made this website, which is a great resource:

http://www.icufaqs.org

[loriann, BSN, RN]

I just started an independent study in the ICU, so the website above will definitely come in handy. Thanks ERNurse752!!!

[ERNurse752, RN]

I just started an independent study in the ICU, so the website above will definitely come in handy. Thanks ERNurse752!!!

No problemo, good luck! :balloons:

[nurse4theplanet, RN]

A guy on this board made this website, which is a great resource:

http://www.icufaqs.org

yeah this is a great site. I printed out most of it!

thanx:D