new to neuro icu--will I ever be comfortable?

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Specializes in Acute care, Community Med, SANE, ASC.

I've been a nurse for about a year and a half and I recently transferred to neuro ICU. I'm hating this orientation process. My schedule is all over the place--days, mids, nights. I work with multiple preceptors so one teaches me things one way and the next teaches it another, which makes it seem like I haven't learned anything. I feel like I have no rhythm and I run around just barely getting things done. I feel like I have a good understanding of diagnoses, treatments, assessments, etc. but if I have two patients on q1h checks I get behind in no time. When will this all come together? I'm getting really frustrated and longing for my old unit where I knew what I was doing. I really do want to learn new things and continue to grow but I underestimated how frustrating the process would be. I would appreciate any words of wisdom.

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Specializes in ICU.

Hang in there mate!

It will all come together soon - remember deep breaths and say after me "Think calm blue ocean, think calm blue ocean":p

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Specializes in SICU, EMS, Home Health, School Nursing.

Ha... are we working at the same hospital??? Sounds a lot like how the last part of my orientation was! I was getting so frustrated because I kept getting bounced around from preceptor to preceptor because of my wacky schedule. It was so hard to learn how each person wanted things done, but eventually I did it. I have been off of orientation for a while now, and you can do it too. You need to get into the grove of how you do things and want things done. I can do a basic neuro check in no time as long as there are no changes. Good luck and you will do fine!

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Specializes in Orthopaedics, ITU and Critical Care Outr.

hello newohiorn!

comfortable is over-rated :-)

i've been working in nicu for a year exactly now - i'm only comfortable if i have a very stable, single disease process, sedated and ventilated patient.

however, all the time you're not 'comfortable', you're learning.

you'll settle in in no time at all, don't worry. before long you will find it difficult to remember how hard you think it is now.

my best tip would be to start your hourly checks at least 15 minutes early...

good luck and hope you start enjoying it soon!

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