New to ICU from tele - tips needed!

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Hi everyone!

I recently accepted a job as an ICU float at a new hospital that will be starting in a few months! I have worked for the last few years on a busy Telemetry unit and felt like I wanted to try out critical care! This new job will include floating to the SICU, MICU, and CV ICU, with orientation taking about 9 months total I believe.

I just want some tips on how to survive and be a safe nurse while there! I think I've learned a lot over the last few years, I work charge nurse and got my PCCN cert, but I'm quite nervous knowing that it's going to be a lot more challenging and stressful than where I am now. Any tips or hints on how to safely take care of my patients and hopefully not lose my mind in the process?? Thanks!!

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Specializes in Critical Care Emergency Room.

Do they have an orientation to the various ICUs? It a different animal that Step Down.

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Yep! I believe in total is about 9 months, and a separate orientation for each ICU, so I believe about 3 months each. Does that seem like a reasonable amount of orientation? How long is a typical orientation in the ICU?

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Specializes in Critical Care Emergency Room.

Yes

Get an IV drug book I think Gahart's in one choice which I like. Study critical care drips vasopressors, sedation to pain. Many times these drugs will be used with patients continuously. Knowing their actions will help you understand how they work. Get to know the steps in rapid sequence intubation meds.

Study the mechanics of ventilation and the most frequent settings on ventilators and why they use those settings.

If they have a classroom component to your training that would be very helpful and will guide you.

Know your medications.

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Great thank you!!!

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I really like F.A. Davis Critical Care Notes Clinical Pocket Guide. They’re the ones that are 1/4th notebook sheet size and on little flip rings, about $35. Basic info and not institution-specific (for your hospital’s preferred protocols and whatnot) but so much helpful info. I use the ventilator mode info a lot, just as an example.

Unrelated - are you in the Twin Cities?

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