Paralian26

I have add and am very type a and I think it has helped me a lot in the unit! If they’re asking you to come to the unit then they see something promising in you! At times your head will feel like it’s going to explode because your patient will be crashing and you’ll have to work on fixing them but you will constantly be thinking of how much of a tangled mess all your IV lines are, but in the critical moments of a pt going downhill you quickly prioritize (and are constantly re-prioritizing) what actually matters and is needed for the pt. You will definitely have to wing things at times because someone’s life literally depends on it. As nursy said, ICU can easily put you through the ringer. Every shift is physically, mentally, and emotionally draining as you pour everything you have out for the patients you care for, and sometimes they still die and it seems like it was almost all for nothing. But for me, I love it and couldn’t see myself doing any other type of nursing. P.S. if you like your pts to remember you or show you any gratitude or give you any thanks for what you’ve done, ICU is not for you

Be open to what your preceptors tell you. Be nosey with other people’s critical pts. Always ask questions! Try to be a sponge and soak up everything you can. Always go to codes with an experienced nurse until you eventually become the experienced one. Don’t shy away from taking a super critical pt as long as there is an experienced person around to be your back up. I can’t stress enough that you should never be afraid to ask questions, even if you’re worried about looking stupid it doesn’t matter, if you don’t ask, someone could die. My ICU is more scared of people who don’t ask questions than the person who asks a thousand, even if some are goofy. Also, go ahead and get the Barron’s CCRN study book. It’s like $20 and has a lot of good info in it even if you can’t actually take the test yet. It’ll be really good for learning hemodynamics, which is a must in critical settings. Also, as someone else mentioned, up to date is a fantastic quick reference guide for things that is accessible right in the chart. Also, there is usually a reference link for pharm info too, at my hospital it is Lexi drugs and it’s awesome

Absolutely. You can go anywhere from the ICU, whether it be another department or looking at continuing your education. However, you don’t necessarily have the same options when working the floor. That being said, ICU is not easy and you have to have a love for it to be able to last. Just like any area of nursing, it is it’s own special beast and you’ll have to deal with hardships you may not have thought about or dealt with previously. Best of luck to you!

How do CRNA programs view travel nursing? Is night shift frowned upon by CRNA programs?

Hi! I am wanting to return to CRNA school and have some questions about what CRNA programs think when it comes to taking more classes. 1) Is it frowned upon to take organic Chemistry and physics from a community college as opposed to a university? 2) what looks better on a transcript, organic Chemistry or a graduate level a & p class from an anesthesia school? I would like to eventually take organic Chemistry and physics. However, I am also extremely interested in the advanced a & p class. I know I would enjoy the a and p class much more. But it is also not a requirement for many schools, whereas, organic Chemistry is, so I’m torn.