funky monkey

I would like to think that if I or a family member were in a specialty unit like an ICU, then the nurse taking care of me/them would have hopefully had some med-surg experience - at least 1 year, then passed a ICU course. I never felt that a new graduate should transition into the ICU. Too much to learn about yourself as a nurse before you jump into that arena. Hone your assessment and patient skills.....you'll need them in ICU.

Get your BSN. It is the future in nursing.

Depends upon your age. If you're young, starting in nursing, and are going to make a career of of nursing get a BSN. I live in Pennsylvania and some hospital (University of Pennsylvania) will only hire BSNs. If you're older, have raised your family and are looking for a second career, enter at the AD level. You can always work on your BSN.

6-8 weeks seems short for a new grad. Does anybody else think this? Are they willing to extend it longer if you need it? I know 6-8 weeks is typical if you are floor nursing, but trauma ICU seems like it would take a lot longer to get familiar with everything you would come across. Am I wrong? I oriented for 10 weeks in the ER as a new grad. I have heard of people orienting 3-4 months in a large, busy ICU, and most of that is because of all the classes they want you to take on equipment and such. I know it doesn't answer any questions that you have, but I just want you to be safe and comfortable knowing you should ask for more time if you need it. You worked too hard for those letters after your name! I agree with the above comments. When I worked ICU-CCU we had to have had one year's experience as a nurse before we were even considered for the ICU course! Once selected, we then took a 6 month course which was very comprehensive. We were assigned preceptors who worked with us. Only after completing the ICU course could we work alone. A new grad with only 6-8 weeks of experience seems awfully short to me. Protect yourself, it is your license and no one else's. Get some experience in nursing as an RN before you even consider an ICU.

I guess it depends upon why you refused. If you're unfamiliar with a procedure or an order, ask your instructor for help. The instructor can "walk you through" the procedure and in no time you'll be proficient.

I think the way the nurse responds depends upon many things. First, the personality of the nurse. When I graduated I was much more timid then I am now. Quite frankly some physician's terrified me. Secondly, the milieu of the hospital. Some facilities protect their physicians at all cost and a confrontation with a physician is always a losing battle. Thirdly, the environment in which you work. Some facilities I've worked in we supported each other to the hilt. Others, I was afraid to turn my back on my co-workers. The article does not state if the nurse had seen the patient before or if she had just come on her shift - doubtful as it was 7:45 pm. Regardless, today, after years of nursing I let no one speak to me like that. Bullying by anyone is not acceptable. I would stand my ground and tell the physician that they were rude and unprofessional, that I had dealt with the problem and when they could speak to me like the professional they pretended to be, we'd speak, but not before. I would then go back to whatever I was doing. If you don't command respect, you won't get it.