Opinions needed ...

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Hey,

I am a fairly new grad but am totally enjoying my nursing experience. I work on a steady busy medical floor - nothing too crazy usually happens. I am a very hard worker with a pretty good bedside manner. In terms of the attitude I have towards my work and patients and the effort I put forth, I would give myself an A (even an A+ on some days). However, performance and knowledge wise, I might give myself a B to some days B-.

Ever since I started working, I have wanted to work in the ICU. A lot of the nurses who I hold in extremely high regard work or are trained to work critical care.

Here is my question:

When it comes to a performance based profession like nursing do you think I should continue this hope of working in critical care? I know I have the positive attitude and work ethic and bedside manner ... but i am worried about my performance. The only thing that isn't totally shattering to me is the fact that I know that I am a motivated learner and will do anything i can to learn what it takes to work in critical care ... I just don't know if I will actually get to the level needed to work in that environment.

Some nurses seem to have a natural ability (are able to get their work done quickly and efficiently, are able to interact professionally with other members of the team, etc) - I don't think I have that natural ability but what I don't have in natural talent I do try to make up in effort and attitude.

Sorry, this post is kind of long.

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What you see as "natural ability" is the result of their experience. You will get there, too ;)

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Specializes in Palliative Care, NICU/NNP.

Sounds like you're a good candidate for ICU. You sound very self motived and that says a lot. The efficiency will come with time. Glad you're so excited about your job and learning. Best wishes.

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Specializes in IM/Critical Care/Cardiology.

You sound motivated and challenged. When I first went into critical care I started asking questions and never stopped. It's experience and the willingness too learn that keeps me going.

Good luck with your career.

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Specializes in cardiac/critical care/ informatics.

it is what the other poster said, it is experience. You are a new grad, you will get there, and yes you should go for ICU.

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learn everything that you can, get certified in different areas,,

if you haven't been working a long while you stil are in the learning process

get acquainted with icu nurses and keep aware of any openings keep applying to head of unit to keep your application up

good luck

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Specializes in ER, Occupational Health, Cardiology.

It sounds like you most likely have what it takes to do Critical Care. Remember, we all started from square one. None of us were born knowing how to be a nurse. It is all a learned thing, and the learning continues on a daily basis. In addition to emulating those nurses that you admire, ask them if it is possible for them to let you know any critical pt or procedure that might be in ICU that you could observe, even for a few minutes. I did that as an LPN, and was amazed at how receptive some of the ICU nurses were to my request. Also, you might want to subscribe to some critical-care nursing journals and broaden your horizons that way, as well.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.

As a new grad that started in ICU, I say go for it. I believe that there are three types of new grads...those that must work for a year then go to ICU, those that can go straight to ICU, and those that could never go to ICU. It is not better nursing, but it is a different kind of nursing!!!

I love it! Instead of running up and down a hallway, having 5-8 pts and their families to deal with, delegating to cna's, calling docs/docs rounding, etc etc etc, I have two pts and visiting hours. I get to study my pts!! How is this COPD pt acting/responding to treatment? How is he different from the GI bleed in the next room? I get to actually sit and watch them! I get plenty of support from the nurses on my unit, the pharmacist in my unit, RT in my unit, and even the intensivist!! I'm sure that not everyone has the same experience, but for me in my hospital, I'd say that I have it pretty good!! I wish you all the best and don't be too hard on yourself.

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