New ICU nurse

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in ICU.

Hey guys, I'm a recently licensed RN and I just got a job at a pretty large regional center in the ICU. Interview went well, everyone seemed really nice, but I'm still nervous as all get out to do a good job. I've been a Paramedic for 6 years and did my RN preceptorship in a very large regional burn unit so I'm praying that everything isn't completely alien to me. I'm currently enrolled in a BSN program and my ultimate goal is to get accepted to CRNA school. I told the unit manager during my interview and she told me that they will require me to have my CCRN and they will help me do it and even pay for the test. (This may not seem like a big deal to y'all but coming from EMS where every company does nothing but try to screw you around every corner, it means alot to me.)

Basically I'm just asking for any advice about what pitfalls to avoid at this new venture. Any medics out there, or people as unsure of themselves in this arena as I am? :eek:

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Put your CRNA goal on a side burner for now and learn to be a good ICU RN first.

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Specializes in CEN, CPEN, RN-BC.

paramedic to icu... I'm displeased.

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Specializes in ICU and EMS.

As someone who functions both in EMS and the ICU, my best advice is to make every attempt to turn off your EMS brain while in the hospital.

I speak from experience. I just completed paramedic, and had to learn to turn off my ICU nurse brain while taking the courses.

Good luck! Your previous experiences have built you a fantastic foundation!

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Specializes in ICU.
paramedic to icu... I'm displeased.

how come?

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Specializes in ICU and EMS.
how come?

I was wondering the same thing.

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Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.

Just wanted to say congratulations!

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Specializes in ICU.

Thank you so much! I am excited, just nervous. I guess that's to be expected

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Specializes in CEN, CPEN, RN-BC.
how come?

Because you didn't go ED! Just playing! Good luck to you and your journey. You'll learn so much in the ICU.

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Specializes in ICU/CCU.

Congratulations on your new job. I'm sure you'll do great. I would suggest that you start studying materials for the CCRN exam right away. For me, that extra study really helped with my day to day functioning during my orientation and my first year in ICU. By the time I had enough bedside hours to take the exam I hardly needed to study much at all.

Your hospital sounds really supportive. However, try not to mention your CRNA ambitions to (m)any co-workers until you are fairly well established on your unit. It tends to rub some ICU nurses the wrong way, and you will have enough to deal with at the start of your nursing career without inciting enmity.

Yay! I am excited for you!

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

I'm an medic and RN and have worked both ICU and ER. Make sure you understand your processes to deal with issues, you can't just fix it on your own. Your critical thinking skills will serve you well, as will your concise reports when you call for orders. Focus on your nursing basics, which will be new to you. Always ask questions when you aren't sure of something. You'll be a whiz in codes and when your patient is taking a turn for the worse. Best of luck.

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I started in the icu as a new nurse and even though I precepted for 3 months in an icu it was completely different being on my own. I felt retarded and cried all the time when I got home but after about 6 months I finally felt like a competent badass nurse. So just know it's normal to be completely lost at first. Just ask a ton of questions and triple check yourself on everything. And don't give up because eventually you'll totally get it and probably really enjoy it. Good luck!

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