NanSeeH

Keep in mind that almost all critical care material seems "too technical" until you experience it in practice. With experience, the relevant materials reinforce what you know, help give you a better understanding and help you put all the pieces together. With that said, I too would recommend Critical Care Nursing Secrets. I have the Fast Facts binder and a great Critical Care Skills book. ICUfaqs is probably your best bet. I read this site regularly as a student preparing to go into critical care. I would print out each topic at the computer lab on campus. The material is specifically for anyone "new to ICU". Good Luck

If the patient is unresponsive, who is giving "informed" consent?

Kati2005 It's great that you are concerned and speaking with your preceptor is a good idea. Ask for specific examples and advice. Preceptors do regularly give "organize and prioritize" as areas for improvement. And, it may be because there is nothing else to say. Still, our ability to "organize and prioritize" does improve with experience. It is a continous process and does not end with orientation. A year from now you will be blown away by all that you are able to accomplish on a shift. Good Luck!

>$10,000 pay back Life is too unpredictable. This is coming from a complete control freak... As a new grad I signed a contract feeling that I made all the needed arrangements, adjustments and compromises in my personal life to see the contract through. It's only two years right... Here I am a year later- my career goals have changed, my drive to secure a spot in any advance practice program of my choice is gone. If I see this through it will be at a great cost to my family. I am older I should have known better... My saving grace is that I am in a wonderful ICU that truely focuses on "best practice", not the easiest place to work... But, I feel safe on this unit.

I have not considered military service. But, I wanted to add something to this particular thread. The Parkland program requires a 24 month commitment that includes the 28 weeks spent in the internship. The Army and Parkland have excellent reputations for preparing critical care nurses. Good luck with your decision.

note to any new grads reading and researching the topic "new grads in critical care": once you decide that critical care is where you want to be... make sure to be responsible in chosing your first unit. ask how long the unit has been hiring new grads? what happens to you if it doesn't work out? are preceptors trained to precept? are preceptors paid extra for participating in your training? are preceptors voluntary? what is the units "new grad" success rate? by asking these questions in addition to getting detailed info on critical care classes and internship details you can find a unit that is set up to help you become a safe and competent nurse within a welcoming critical care environment. new grad options are almost limitless. do not be disuaded. my new grad internship in icu/trauma is entering it's 33rd year... good luck!

LabCat01, thanks for sharing the article. I no longer had an electronic copy. I discovered the article during my first year in nursing school. It was also listed on the program's recruitment poster.

I got 99% consistantly and passed NCLEX. I feel that it was a good review and helped me get used to NOT being certain. So, the program gave me a chance to "practice" using test taking strategies. But, the questions are not exceptionally similar to NCLEX in my opinion. NH

Congratulations... :)

A class mate found out yesterday that she passed, she said she had at least one math calculation. Luckily, she had not been reading about the latest trends on NCLEX. She only mentioned it because she was wishing she had more (this is before she knew her results)?! Hang in there... Easier said than done... believe me I know...

For me, the answer to your specific topic question would be "No". It's not that kind of exam. NCLEX is about analysis and application on an incredibly broad level. It's not what you know, it's what would you do based on what you know. Hope that makes sense... good luck

I remember having the same concerns. I even looked into getting my LVN after my first year of nursing school. As it turned out I did not work in healthcare during school. But, I was a pharmacy technician going into nursing school. (can't express enough how helpful that turned out to be) You will find a job upon graduation. I was accepted into an awesome critical internship (my first choice).

In my current home, we have a dog door for our pets. We're about to move to the "city" and will not have a yard. I have researched area "doggie day-cares", there are several. I was actually surprised by the options available. Some will even pick up and deliver?! Good luck with your move and in your efforts...

good job, I am so happy for you! :)

Let's not forget that 15 questions do not count. Does anyone know for sure if the "test" exam questions are set up to pop up at the appropriate level of difficulty? They may or may not? My point is- there are too many variables associated with this type of test to "assume" anything. For example, I may have flipped out during my exam if a math calculation would have popped up. Why? Because, the latest trend on this board (since I started reading regularly), is priority+no math=pass. But, it's not true. People get math and do pass (and fail). People get the last question wrong and pass (and fail). etc... I have been reading and reading to see who's exam experience matches mine. I am joining the ranks of all those who are a little frazzled by the experience, and I want to make sense of it. But, as most of you know the only thing that will ease my uncertainty if know my actual results. Courtney, I hope you do not have to wait long to know how you did. I will know on Friday!