PRECEPTORSHIP!

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I will be starting my preceptorship (I am in an ADN program) in the ICU in January. I am absolutely terrified! I have zero confidence, and I dont know where to begin brushing up on the basics before I start. I have seen a lot of the websites out, like ICU FAQ and whatnot, does anyone who works in the ICU or precepted there have advice for me?

Thanks

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Specializes in ER.

Be willing to learn. No one expects you to know 100% straight out. Try to make a good impression. I was just hired full time in the ICU in my company that does not hire full time anymore supposedly

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First things first....take a breath and feel proud of the work you have accomplished! Yay for YOU!!!!! I precepted in ICU and work there now...so MUCH FUN!

As far as confidence goes, I dont think your program would allow you to precept in ICU if they doubted your ability to keep patients safe...so stop focusing on the '0 confidence' thing...please :)

I agree with apples here too..be open and willing to learn...do everything and anything that they offer and ask to do things they dont offer. You would be amazed at how much you can learn turning and intubated patient to clean them..volunteer for everything!!!

Then, be a sponge here...take a notebook and jot notes/questions as you go, circle back to them and answer the questions you have for yourself(at least attempt to)before you take the questions to your preceptor.I cannot stress how important it is to come with 'some' knowledge-it shows your active in the process, it shows your initiative, and passion. It shows you actually care about being there..ICU nurses dig that

For example, say this.." I suspect my patient is having increased ectopy because his urine output has increased____ amount from last shift...I am think we need to check his MG+ and K+ to see if we need to replace them...what do you think?"

Not this..." I dont know why on earth he is having so many PVC's now..what do I do about that?"

See the difference?

Then listen to what they say...the time you have with these experienced nurses is like GOLD

Otherwise, I would know your lytes and basic labs and what it means when they are out of whack as far as what you need to do about it...

Hoping you have an excellent experience!

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Specializes in Med Surg.
I will be starting my preceptorship (I am in an ADN program) in the ICU in January. I am absolutely terrified! I have zero confidence, and I dont know where to begin brushing up on the basics before I start. I have seen a lot of the websites out, like ICU FAQ and whatnot, does anyone who works in the ICU or precepted there have advice for me?

Thanks

I did a preceptorship in the ICU when I was in school too. Prepare all you want, but what really matters is your healthcare experience, how hard you worked, and how well you did in school.

There was nothing that could have prepared me for the intubated 350 pound patient in restraints with 6 IV pumps going that greeted me my first day in the ICU.

Your preceptor knows you are terrified. Help out wherever you can, keep calm, ask questions and listen.

Good luck!

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Thanks everyone for the positive words. I feel better with some direction for where to go. Since I have a week or two until I start, I am going to focus on labs, and exercising my critical thinking skills. I cant wait to begin!

Recently at work (I work at a local hospital as a CNA) I have been able to float to a CVICU and CCU just in the past few days. Seems like fate is working to build my exposure to the higher acuity patients. It is less intimidating to me, although I am still afraid of the complexity of the patient's disease processes. I suppose I will become more comfortable with my ability to perform as I gain experience.

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Specializes in Hospice/Infusion.

Im starting my final semester jan 22. I am hoping to get icu preceptorship as well. Good luck

:-)

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