my_purpose

I know this is old, however, a nurse on my MICU unit encountered a patient with elevated lactate and was making fun of the intern (first year resident), because he came back and said that he didn't want to give the LR for the patient due to the elevated lactate. So many times, we ICU nurses (I'm still new, so def not me) think the interns or baby docs are stupid and worthless, but case in point. Thanks all!

That's all us new grads ask. ?

I really want to be a community health nurse. To teach healthy behaviors and prevent the cycle of hospital admissions.

I have my yearly review coming on Monday (first one since I'm a new grad). And I am trying to think what I really feel about nursing. In school during clinicałs it was fabulous. On the job however, and maybe because I'm ICU, it's do not. I really thought all that I heard about nasty, belittling, arrogant, eat their young nurses was a thing of the past. I love my patients, their families love me, but geez, the other nurses are a handful. It's so not what I had in my head.

Yes. I'm now enemy #1 in my unit. I'm normally quiet but I recently explained to a nurse that I felt disrespected by the way they take over. I was very respectful while doing so and afterwards for me it was over. Like nothing happened. She went all cookoo, cookoo, cookoo. So now there are whispers, etc. lol lol. I wouldn't change a thing, infact I'm glad that I did say something.

MunoRn, thank you for your response. Most times my mind needs to hear info in a specific way and your way was it!! thanks again.

How funny, I was thinking the same thing about the Doc-Nurse vs Nurse-Nurse relationship on the way home from my last shift. It's funny, that all through school I absolutely loved loved loved nursing and as an actual nurse in the ICU, being an actual nurse is something that I am struggling to enjoy. Could it just be the ICU environment? Who knows. In August, my first year will be over and I'll see then!!!

I think we are the same people!!!, lol

I agree. It is kicking my butt also. I also think that it matters what preceptor you have. The preceptor who will allow you to learn, not be extremely critical and not be so territorial and 'type A' is important for me.

Does concept mapping help anyone new grad learn. I find that If I make a list if problems or diagnosis', write down how treated and nursing interventions ( dos and donts) that it helps me to understand the care that I am supposed to provide. Does anyone have other suggestions?

LobotRN, I don't know who you are but your comments to this post are amazing and just what this New Grad RN needed!!! KUDOS.

Great point!! As a new nurse trying to tie all things together, these posts are so so so helpful.

This post is extremely helpful, extremely. I'm a new grad in the ICU and in my second phase of titrating drips with more difficult patients. Had a case where the night prior pt was on propofol and ativan. We were weaning off propofol and titrating ativan to make patient comfortable. Come back and patient is off propofol, ativan 2mg no titration. 30 minutes prior to shift change, pt given 5 of verses for agitation. Pt starts bucking vent, doc comes down orders 5 more versed. No change in patient. Docs go sit st desk to discuss plan for pt ( I'm assuming). My preceptor literally pushes me outing the room to get more drugs for the pt. got order for 10 of versed, pushed, pt was fine. Eventually got order for propofol. I know that was a lot, but my question was why ativan vs propofol, initially?

I am exactly the same way. We have to IM and share helpful notes. I so can identify with YOU!

Thank you all for your advise. Several of the responses that were stated went through my head as well.

Thanks so much for the information. I really appreciate it!!

I'm a new grad in the ICU. For the most part, things are going okay. When asking for help turning a patient, the helper nurse walks in to the room and makes a comment to me in front of the vented patient similar to why are we taking care of this patient because she is nearly dead. I know that the patient heard this comment. I can't remember if I 'shhhed' her, which is taboo on my unit. (My preceptor went all kinds of cooo-cooo when I said that to her) or if I called her name in a 'don't say that' kind of way. After the turn, the patient's heart rate went dangerously high, I had to administer PRN BP drugs, and eventually had to add the propofol. Which had never happened in the 3 days in which I had this patient. Many statements/comments have been made about patients on my unit that were inappropriate and these statements really bother me. Do I address them or just let the comments be. After rude comments are made, I feel that I have to go into my patients and apologize for what was said.

I'm also a new grad in the ICU since August. Here's an lol: Never shhh the nurses, no matter how inappropriate they are being. It, on my unit, is a huge no no! Study, like you are still in school. Ask questions, never shake your head as if you know (even if you do), because there is always something else to be added to what you think you know. Ask questions, ask questions, ask questions. For me the most difficult thing is report, only because I'm so busy throughout my shift that I don't have time to prepare. Find time to look at your H&P, your labs (treat what you can before the next shift) and be kind to yourself, while you are progressing in knowledge. My voice is soft, so my preceptor suggested that I put base in my voice while giving report. Be assertive, borderline aggressive. Don't take things personal, it will drive you crazy!! Smile every day, even when you get your ass handed to you because the shift was so unpredictable. Share your thoughts and feeling with those whom you can trust only! (that being family, no one on your unit or in the hospital or keep it to yourself, which I don't recommend!) Have tough skin, you'll need it.

I love this thread also! I start orientation for the ICU on Monday the 12th. So nervous, yet so very excited. I have always wanted the CC/ED units but was always told that new grads don't start there. Feeling really blessed. Will get those books so that I can feel comfortable in my own mind on Monday.

How funny. I immediately connected with this article when I read it, but the clincher was the Einstein quote. One of my favorites, lol. In nursing it's not about what you know (i.e. great GPAs) but it's about who you know!

passed also with 75!! :)

Thanks, also to ease your nerves after the exam, use the PV Trick, it works!

thanks, my test was on July 8th, passed with 75 questions!!!!!

I got 75?questions and the first 50 took me 2 hours. I agree take your time. Work at your own pace.

I agree. Kaplan sets you up for the more difficult questions. It is nerve-racking because you don't know how you are doing. Well I got a few recall questions which made me more nervous. To top it all off, my last question was a SATA. Really, I knew that I failed. But I didn't, somehow God blessed me to pass this exam and you all will too!!! Now I can proudly say I am an RN