Not feeling it...

Sun0408, ASN, RN · Mar 13, 2012

I was in your shoes about a year ago. I left the floor and went to a trauma surgical ICU and let me tell you; I felt like a new born baby all over again. I didn't know jack about vents, ABG's, gtts, A-lines, etc. but I learned as will you. It is a very different beast then what you are used to. It will come together, you will learn but you do have to read and research things outside of work, as well as looking things up on while you are at work.. When I was on the floor, I really didn't have the time to know the whys. In the ICU, it is the utmost importance to know the WHYS. The whys will also help you learn and grow.

Stick with your co-workers that are willing to teach and explain. Also, how you ask for help makes a huge difference. I had several co-workers that blew me off if I had a question but didn't bring my "feelings" or knowledge into my question. They sure didnt have the time to spoon feed me any answers. I also have a cheat sheet with drips and rates, common pressors and their rates etc to help me..

Did your hospital offer you critical care classes? Ask your unit director about resources to help you. Also, dont be afraid to talk to the MD's, they are also a great resource.

Honestly, it took me a good 6 months before I was comfortable or not terrified before going in to work. I still get nervous but now its the good kind and no longer the dreaded :)

ckh23, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2012

The transition from the ER to the Unit is tough because I have done it myself.

It takes time to learn, just as if you were a new grad. That being said, there needs to be some due diligence on your part by studying up on things outside of work. Or identify your weak areas and read up on them. Identify the nurses on your unit that you can go to for help. Also check out this website as it is referenced on here a lot and I recommend it to new grads on my unit. I would also recommend some CCRN test books because they contain a lot of educational material.

http://www.icufaqs.org/

Merlyn · Mar 14, 2012

I started in the icu a couple of months ago and I absolutely hate it! I was an ER nurse prior to this for a year. I am not a new grad but I feel as though I am. Everything that should be a simple task I am just getting used too (chest tubes, a-lines, wound vacs, trachs, vents) I didn't have critical patients long enough to learn any of this and I am finding it really hard to ask my new co-workers for assistance. some have been great others though, they act as if I am stupid for even needing to ask about these things. I'm sorry I don't know all the answers. I'm ready to give up and leave but know I can't for at least 9 more months. When does this get easier. And what would help? I am dreading every night that I go to work. I can't do this the way that I am...

It may get easier as time goes by, but it may not. Nursing is just a continuation of school without the instructors. With practice you may adjust well. you may get use to the routine but Nursing don't get any easier.

Perpetual Student · Mar 14, 2012

The task and equipment issues will definitely get easier with time. The ICU FAQs website linked to above is a great resource.

sunnycalifRN · Mar 14, 2012

Hang in there! I didn't feeling really comfortable working in ICU for almost 2 years. But, utilize your co-workers and ask questions . . . no one was born an ICU nurse. It WILL get better.

Creamsoda, ASN, RN · Mar 16, 2012

It will get easier. But I have found that nurses going from ICU to ER and vise versa tend to gravitate back to what they started with. I tried ER for a short time, I still do it here and there but I certainly don't love it. But that being said, it will get better, its just a different mind set/focus.

Also the learning curve IS steep. In the ER you see the critical patients for a very short time until they're wisked up to the ICU. You don't see the outcomes first hand or have time to read about pathophysiogy, they whys and the whats, ect. Although ER takes critical thinking, in my opinion I think the nurses work in a "reactive" way to situations. They're great in tense situations, but once its all over its like, "now what?". In ICU you have a bit more time on a decent day to do that because your expected to know everything about your patient. You look at trends. Ive seen both sides of the coin, and i much prefer ICU.

DutchRN09 · Mar 17, 2012

This is helpful, I am starting in the ICU in July, and know I have a lot to learn. I just ordered a Critical Care book and saved the ICU faq link.

haji · Mar 20, 2012

I think experience is the best teacher but here are some good resources for learning outside of the icu:

Pass CCRN (throw the book out but do the practice questions on the cd)

Emergency Management of the Coding Patient (its going to happen sooner or later)

Clinical Anesthesia by Morgan/Mikhail/Murray (lots of great information for the icu even though its about anesthesia)

podcasts- emcrit, icu rounds, keeping up in em, ercast, gascast, lots of good free ones

Merlyn · Mar 20, 2012

I think experience is the best teacher but here are some good resources for learning outside of the icu:
Pass CCRN (throw the book out but do the practice questions on the cd)
Emergency Management of the Coding Patient (its going to happen sooner or later)
Clinical Anesthesia by Morgan/Mikhail/Murray (lots of great information for the icu even though its about anesthesia)
podcasts- emcrit, icu rounds, keeping up in em, ercast, gascast, lots of good free ones

Without that piece of paper experience doesn't mean a thing. I remember about three years ago, I was working in Psych and this 20 year old, just got her license after two years at the College for Dim Twits, said to make this suicidal patient get out of his depression all the staff should put on party hats. I kid you not. party hats. We had to call the ADN and tell her one of her nurses had let her mind go where no one had before. Just because she had the paper stating that the State of NJ had seen fit to give this Yo-Yo a RN license and made her a supervisor.