Once you go ICU, you never go back.....

JMP · Apr 7, 2003

Absolutely true. I would never go back.

I think ICU nursing is one of the best kept secrets in the hospital.

Welcome!

KC CHICK · Apr 7, 2003

:rotfl: JMP....that signature of yours is soooo true.

Ortho_RN · Apr 7, 2003

I am fixing to be trained as a Unit Sec this summer in ICU, which I am excited and scared about.. Excited b/c it will help prepare me some for my 4th semester, which is when we do our ICU rotation... But the thought of all those critical patients is kinda scary.. :)

Please explain why vent pts are so good??? :) Got me curious

Furball · Apr 7, 2003

Diprivan is your best friend...."milk of amnesia"

Scarlette · Apr 7, 2003

Actually, I just escaped from ICU! LOL I enjoyed being able to spend more time with 1 or 2 patients but I didn't really like the supervisor, not to mention that a couple of the nurses that I was stuck with on my shift were lazy and down right unsafe. They would chart assessments that they never did and spent the entire shift doing anything but patient care. I got out of there as soon as I could. :rolleyes: Aside from that, ICU wasn't too bad! :)

New CCU RN · Apr 7, 2003

Originally posted by Scarlette
Actually, I just escaped from ICU! LOL I enjoyed being able to spend more time with 1 or 2 patients but I didn't really like the supervisor, not to mention that a couple of the nurses that I was stuck with on my shift were lazy and down right unsafe. They would chart assessments that they never did and spent the entire shift doing anything but patient care. I got out of there as soon as I could. Aside from that, ICU wasn't too bad! :)

Gotta say this was definitely just one isolated thing. As an ICU nurse, I cannot imagine being like that!!!!!!!

Maybe one day you will come back to a different ICU... One where the nurses actually do their jobs!!!!

I definitely cannot imagine being in any other environment. While I like being able to focus on my two patients .. sometiemes one.. and give quality nursing care. I just can't see myself being able to do whta I want to do for my patients having so many. (Granted they require less intensive care, but still.. I just can't imagine...)

My hat is definitately off to any nurse, regardless of the unit..we all work long, hard shifts... and w/o the pay to show for it. We all have our strengths and our interests....

BTW... did any of you know that Diprivan can cause erotic dreams in the patients? It supposedly can also turn urine green.

BadBird, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2003

I love being a ICU nurse, I have thought about a change every now and then but I just can't think of another area that I would enjoy as much.

zudy · Apr 7, 2003

not me, I did ICU for 1 year till I finally got back to ED. I just about fell on my knees and kissed that nasty tile floor, I was so happy to be back.

Great thing about nursing, something for everyone!

renerian, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2003

I worked hem onc and when I got floated to the unit they only let me do vitals and I/Os. I did get in the front part of the burn unit which I did like though.

renerian

JMP · Apr 7, 2003

Propofol can cause the urine of young, otherwise healthy males to turn a green color. Not sure why.

Depending on the ICU director, propofol is not always seen as a good thing. IT is high in fats ( lipid based ) and it is seen as a short term med since it can cause potential sepsis..or worsening sepsis. Personally, what is wrong with that???????????

KC CHICK · Apr 7, 2003

Originally posted by nurs2b
I am fixing to be trained as a Unit Sec this summer in ICU, which I am excited and scared about.. Excited b/c it will help prepare me some for my 4th semester, which is when we do our ICU rotation... But the thought of all those critical patients is kinda scary.. :)

Please explain why vent pts are so good??? :) Got me curious

Mmmmmm. Let me put this as delicately as possible.....they can't talk back!

These pts are sedated (with propofol/diprovan) and are totally helpless. They do require more care than most...i.e tube suctioning, turns, paperwork for restraints, etc. - but - that's better than some of the conscious patients I've had in the past.