Nursing Student braving the CCU

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Hi there!

I am going to be doing my critical care rotation in two weeks. I am quite nervous! Is there any pointers from critical care nurses or students? I am really afraid of walking in there and not knowing a thing or being fumbly. :no: Thanks so much!

-Shal

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Specializes in CVICU.

Watch and listen, and ask a lot of questions. Don't be afraid to ask why they are doing some of the things they do. Step in and help out whenever you can. You will learn by watching and by doing. I looked up a lot of articles in my own time to find evidence on why certain procedures and interventions are performed.

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Specializes in ICU/ER/Flight.
Hi there!

I am going to be doing my critical care rotation in two weeks. I am quite nervous! Is there any pointers from critical care nurses or students? I am really afraid of walking in there and not knowing a thing or being fumbly. :no: Thanks so much!

-Shal

You're a student, no one should expect you to know more than the basics. So go in and enjoy it! Ask questions but go home afterwards and do some research on your own. And being "fumbly" is just part of being a student...you'll be fine.

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Specializes in ICU.
Hi there!

I am going to be doing my critical care rotation in two weeks. I am quite nervous! Is there any pointers from critical care nurses or students? I am really afraid of walking in there and not knowing a thing or being fumbly. :no: Thanks so much!

-Shal

Expect to be overwhelmed the first day you're there. You'll see so many monitoring devices, pumps, IV/arterial lines,....... The next day, you'll be a lot better.

Please ask questions. If you're at all unsure about what you're being asked to do, ask questions.

Remember to take time to breathe.

Most importantly, remember:

Air goes in & out

Blood goes round & round

Oxygen is good

:D

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Specializes in CVICU, Trauma, Flight, wartime nursing.

Most importantly, remember:

Air goes in & out

Blood goes round & round

Oxygen is good

:D

Don't forget some of the other important axioms of the ICU:

1. All bleeding eventually stops.

2. If the patient wasn't at risk for sudden death, they would not be in the ICU.

3. Your patient in the ICU will either live or they will die. Those are the only two options.

4. Code blue situations are often louder and more dramatic than they need to be.

5. Patients don't suddenly decompensate - clinicians suddenly notice problems.

6. No matter how good of a day you are having, at least one thing you need to do will not get done. Don't sweat it. Nursing is a 24 hr a day business. Focus on keeping your patient alive.

7. Some patient families will hate you no matter what you do. Just remember it's probably not you they are upset at.

8. Nobody knows everything there is to know about critical care. Nobody.

9. Just because you see a nurse doing something doesn't mean they are doing it right. Read the unit and hospitalprotocols to see how things should be done.

10. Death is a part of life. As we are all born, so must we all die. Do not fear it nor see it as failure. The only failure of death is when we prolong it needlessly or send our patients out of this world in pain and agony.

11. You will not always agree with what you see in the ICU. Focus on your patient's desires and their best interests in these situations. Have a voice, even if it is only a tiny one. Silence helps no one.

12. Remember that when in the ICU, chances are you are meeting people during the worst days of their lives. Keep that in mind when they seem a little grumpy to you.

13. If you can't remember anything else, check the ABC's and smile for your patients.

14. It's OK to cry. Especially as a student. Just don't cry in front of the patients. They have enough to deal with without having to comfort you as well.

15. No matter what happens during your clinicals, the end of the shift will always come and you will get to go home.

Just my :twocents: for ya. Good luck and have fun!

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I tell my ADN students that they will see a lot of equipment---but there's still a patient under all that technology and that patient needs a nurse! Listen and ask pertinent questions. No question is too dumb! You aren't expected to know everything about the ICU environment so don't be a "know-it-all" and don't be a wall-flower. Hopefully your nurse won't be too busy to take time to explain things to you. If she/he is too busy, let your instructor know so he/she can help answer your questions. Just relax and have a good time!

Just my :twocents:

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