New nurse in ICU and I hate it...please help!

tcvnurse, BSN, RN · Nov 29, 2011

Wait did you say 6 weeks of orientation...for the ICU? Dang you are getting shortchanged. At my hospital the new grads in ICU get like six MONTHS orientation. Have you talked to the nurse educator or the unit manager about your concerns? Maybe a trusted preceptor?

Where I work if a unit is not a good fit for a new hire, they will try to work with you to get to a different unit or floor. It's possible they could help you.

Of course, the shift work is not helping you adjustment any. Just getting used to working nights ALONE is a heck of a change. Hang in there, it get's better.

babyRN0404 · Nov 29, 2011

6 weeks is not enough, I would talk to someone (educator, NM, preceptor, etc) to see if you can get more time/help. Also, I would look for a new job- you are not prepared and could risk your license. I'm not trying to scare you, but leaving a job early knowing it is not a right fit is a lot less risky than making a serious error because you did not have proper training.

LauraRN1 · Dec 1, 2011

Yes, 6 weeks. I've talked to my preceptor/charge nurse about it and she talked to our unit manager and you know what I got? 1 extra day. I was told by our nurse manager that we are expected to just come to work with a lump in our throats for the first year just hoping we don't kill anybody. I feel like I've made several errors already and that it is only a matter of time before I could lose my license. I've never felt more unprepared for a job in my life.

Jtkknj6 · Dec 2, 2011

I feel your pain.... I really do. You are not alone.

8mpg · Dec 2, 2011

Critical care is not for everyone. I dont think it is something you should do as your first job. Im a new grad and loving ICU but I worked in an ER as a tech for 3 years. I did a formal 12 week internship which many nurses (with experience) thought was at least 4 weeks short of minimum.

I would ask about transferring out into another department for "patient safety". If they cannot find something, I would look elsewhere for a job.

CrazyCatLadyRN, BSN, RN · Dec 3, 2011

6 weeks is not long enough! I got 12 weeks on a surg-tele floor and I felt like that was barely enough! If your NM doesn't want to help, go to your nursing education office and even HR. That's not right to put you in those situations. I understand we are supposed to be nervoud for the first year or so..( I definitely still do after 6 months, feel like I'm going to throw up on the way to work sometimes), but it's not good if you don't feel confidant passing meds and doing assessments. Remember, it's your license, not theirs!

shoegalRN, RN · Dec 3, 2011

There is no way 6 weeks is enough time for a NEW GRAD in the ICU! Not even for an experienced nurse! Get out ASAP!

I, too, started off in ICU as a new grad and let me tell you, I left after close 3 months because I hated it so much. I do no like sputum, suctioning, oral care, or vents. I don't care for art lines or ICP monitors. The only thing I liked was titrating drips.

ICU is just not for everyone. And there is no way you should be let loose after 6 weeks of orientation and you are a brand new grad.

See if you can transfer to Stepdown or Tele and start over. Your license is on the line.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Dec 3, 2011

six weeks isn't long for an icu orientation, but there are icus and then there are icus. are you in a tertiary teaching intstitution, or a small community hospital? if the latter, six weeks may be (barely) enough. at any rate, you're off orientation and your preceptor and your manager obviously feel that you're safe. so that's a plus.

the first year of nursing sucks, and the only way to get through it is to go through it. i wouldn't advise leaving after so little time and going into another job . . . if you can even find one. stick it out and make it work for at least a year.

LauraRN1 · Dec 6, 2011

I really appreciate all the replies. I do want to try to stick it out for a year (only 9 months to go! :/ ) I just hope I can keep my license for that long and not harm any patients in that amount of time. I'm really considering home health as my next move. Normal hours, normal shifts, much less intense. I just hope I can make it.

sweetspirit · Dec 7, 2011

Sounds like you answered your own question...why not try hospice? You could stick it out for a few more months or change...do what's right for you...6 weeks orientation for an ICU, especially a new grad is a joke!.. Keep up the good work though, nursing can be challenging but oh so rewarding!

surferbettycrocker · Dec 9, 2011

i agree with rubyvee--and just stick it out for the year i know easier said than done but one day a time and use your resources is the best advice i could give. you will learn a lot and you wont even realize how much you are actually learning. try to figure out which of the experienced nurses will be a good resource to help you when feeling overwhelmed.:grad::[anb]::candle: