dtbrn09

I've been an ICU nurse for almost 2 years and when I started (new-grad) I was scared to death I was going to do something that was going to kill someone. My time management sucked and I left feeling like I didn't know anything. As time goes by you don't have to think about every little thing you are doing, it comes naturally and your organization falls into place. When I wanted to throw in the towel, everyone told me 2 years is the point where you feel like you at least have some clue of what you are doing. I now believe them!!! Don't sell yourself short and remember all the things you do know are much more valuable than the ones you don't. There are always resources available and most things are not life threatening. And never forget, 25 mcgs of fentanyl can knock out an airway and make sure you bring any possible med you might need before you head out on your road trip....

I started my nursing career in critical care almost two years ago and have to say I probably wouldn't still be in nursing if I hadn't. The original draw was that I would be able to really get to know my patients both medically and personally because of the 1 to 2 ratio. And lets be real, it's cool!!! We had a 1 year nurse residency program that taught us all the higher level monitoring equipment and the procedural information that we had to learn and it was amazing. In case you're worried about if you'll know what to do, you will have more help than you want!!! The biggest difference other than the patient ratio is that where floor nurses send their patients to procedures we go with them (except the OR). Not to mention the bedside procedures that we get to help with and even sometimes do!!! As mentioned in earlier posts, not only is it a cool job, the information you learn will help you to work in any area of the hospital. Win, win, win!!! Good luck with your decision!!!

I work in a level I trauma ICU so we have a lot of fluid over-loaded patients. This fluid is great for keeping them hemodynamically stable but brings on serious skin issues. The men quite often get soccer ball sized scrotal edema that leads to breakdown. What are people in other hospitals doing to protect the boys? Thanks for any suggestions!!!