Old nurse looking to get into the ICU, any tips?

TootsieRN · Sep 30, 2009

Just for the record, I don't watch television so I couldn't tell you anything about those shows. I have seen the J&J commercial, though, and it made me want to vomit.

I appreciate all the input. I've seen so many people die in so many ways at the nursing home I can almost sense death. Maybe that would be helpful in the ICU?

My husband was in the ICU after an acute illness and when I would go visit I would marvel at the machines and the high tech equipment (my husband's nurse was this really cute guy, couldn't help but notice that, lol

I just applied for a position in the cardiac cath lab at a hospital. No, not ICU but I figure maybe I can get my foot in the door and become familiar with the surroundings at least. I've gotten so spoiled at the nursing home I feel guilty taking a check. I need to go back out in the real world. It will be a big scary change but I'm ready to take the bull by the horns.

Manurse715 · Sep 30, 2009

skipping classes because you're hung over is one thing, but call in sick to work and you're letting down not just your boss but your colleagues as well.

yes, the icu is hard work. you may run for 12 hours straight, lifting bariatric patients, pushing beds, holding folks over on their sides while you change a dressing on a wound big enough to stick your whole head into. it's difficult emotionally as you watch families keep a "loved one" alive, torturing them for months in an effort to keep the social security checks coming, or as you watch a young father with everything to live for dying. it's difficult intellectually as you try to figure out what's wrong with a patient who seemed fine an hour ago and is now tanking. it's difficult to be assertive when you're new and a physician is in your face screaming about how he wants this or that and you know it isn't possible to give him what he wants.

but if you want to try it, go for it. you've got a solid background in the basics, you can easily build on that background.

man, i hate "those families." i had a end stage hiv pt who had been estranged from his family for decades for his homosexual life style. his partner of many years was at bedside in the day and his "family" at night. the man was incapacitated and on the vent. one day the "family" brought a notary to witness the pt "sign" a check so the family could cash it. i didn't see which "family" member took the hand of the pt to "sign" the check since it was on days and i work nights.

crap like that ****** me off.

09RN · Sep 30, 2009

Just wanted to let you know that Im a new grad that is 40 yrs old and was hired into the ICU with NO prior experience other than my clinicals from nursing school. My unit has hired several new grads. Our manager likes that we are fresh. She says that way she can teach us her way. Yes..ICU is tough and there is lots to learn but it can be done! We also have 8 hr shifts. After my 6 week orientation I will go to 12 hr nights. Also I was given ACLS by the hospital so I wouldnt worried about doing that ahead of time. I was alos placed in critical care classes for two weeks put on by my unit educator. They will prepare you.

You should go for it if thats what your heart is telling you to do!! I always say you dont know if you dont try and wants the worst that could happen?? Good Luck!!

WindwardOahuRN, RN · Sep 30, 2009

but if you want to try it, go for it.

absolutely. the worst that can happen is that you find out that it's not for you and you go on knowing that you tried it, didn't like it, and don't have to wonder about "what ifs."

WindwardOahuRN, RN · Sep 30, 2009

I just applied for a position in the cardiac cath lab at a hospital. No, not ICU but I figure maybe I can get my foot in the door and become familiar with the surroundings at least. I've gotten so spoiled at the nursing home I feel guilty taking a check. I need to go back out in the real world. It will be a big scary change but I'm ready to take the bull by the horns.

Good for you! Good luck and if it turns out that you don't get this position just keep on trying. :yeah:

HazelLPN, LPN · Oct 5, 2009

Well, I've always wanted to work in a big hospital, but I spent my 20's and early 30's having and raising children. I'm 36 now, and I figure if I'm going to ever make a change I'd better grab it now, as time is running out fast.
I got a hospital job offer last year (renal transplant floor) but I couldn't take it because of family obligations. I'm getting old, I can't compete with these young 23 yr. old whippersnappers. Recruiters won't want me when they can have a spritely young thing who isn't saddled with a bunch of other responsibilities.
Indiana State has a critical care course and they advertise it as "a course to prepare a nurse to work in intensive care." I don't know if there would be any use in me taking it, though.
I've got a cushy job in management at a nursing home, but I don't really feel like it's taking me anywhere. I'm starting to feel trapped and owned by this job, and I can't stand that (though I do a lot of blood draws and port-a-cath flushes and I'm the one people go to when there is a problem with putting in a catheter or dealing with a PEG tube.) Still, I'm in such a tame position. My big project right now is revising and updating the policy and procedure manual, which I enjoy, but it isn't what I want to be doing 5 yrs. from now.
I would be doing a lot of hands on in an ICU, with a lot of excitement and I'm impressed with the level of knowledge it takes to work in critical care. Hospitals (I'm talking big city hospitals) are such exciting places buzzing with activity and full of smart (for the most part) people. I'd love to be a part of that activity. And, of course, I fantasize about applying for CRNA school in a few years (I was pretty good at math and science) but I realize that is more than likely a fantasy that will never come to fruition, but I've learned you have to have 3 things in life to keep going: hope, dreams and a future.
Anyhow, rambling aside, I would just like a change from my boring life. I have always wanted to work in a hospital, but due to family constraints I worked where it was most suitable for my family.

I just retired in July at age 75 after 54 years in nursing and 40 some years in critical care. If you feel old at 36, then you have something coming to you when you're my age!

When I was pushing 60 years old, I needed a career change as well. I had worked in adult ICU for most of my career and my body couldn't keep up with the physical demands. I loved critical care nursing too much to retire...so I started doing PICU and NICU contingent while phasing myself out the adult ICU. I was able to stay in nursing another 15 years or so before my knee finally said "ok old gal, its time to stop". I had knee replacement surgery in late August and now am walking with a cane. I'm 75 and walk with a CANE....now that's old. BTW..I would still be working contingent if I didn't have this surgery, but now it would be next to impossible to work there. How would I travel off unit with my patients with my CANE? How would I run for the drug box with my CANE? How could I stop from hitting the 20 something new RN repeatedly in the head with my CANE until no medical professional can help her when she tells me that I shouldn't wear my cap anymore because they are degrading to women? :jester:

You may want to do the same thing...no...not have knee surgery and hit annoying young RNs with your cane ....but stay on part time at the nursing home while finding a contingent position in an ICU.(If you do MICU I suggest you take up yoga...its hard on the body). Here we would give you OJT and a full orientation. You say you are good at math and science, so I'm guessing you are a good problem solver. If you are bright and willing to learn new things....then it shouldn't be a problem. If you don't like it...you still have your foot in the door in LTC.

Best to you,

Mrs H