mizznurse

Hello everyone! Just a quick update: I got a formal job offer for Option #1 already. I looked at their benefits and it's not that bad as well. Option #2 is taking forever to give me a formal job offer. With that said, I think i will give Option #2 until the end of the week. if not ill just take Option #1 as it is already secured. other things to consider is that option #1 is an 8hr shift, better pay and closer to my relatives. They also pay for your tuition if you decide to go back to school later on (part of it). Although option #2 will look good in my resume, i think that experience is experience. Eventually. my goal is to work at Stanford Medical Center or San Francisco General Hospital ICU. I will keep you guys posted!

I have precepted a number of new grads in our unit. Successful new grads are the ones that are receptive and eager to learn. Also, read/learn about basic ICU topics: vents, abgs, hemodynamic monitoring etc. on your free time. visit icufaqs.org i downloaded fast facts by kathy white on my phone for easy access for a lab value/term i do not know. Always remember that if you are unsure about something or you don't know something- ASK ASK ASK. it is still hard for a new grad to look at the big picture because you will be working on your time management skills.. but remember that knowledge comes with experience as well. so keep on learning along the way. Goodluck!

Thank you all so much. I think I will be choosing the second option as well. I am 24 years old and planning to go back to school in a couple of years for my masters. I think Uc Davis will give me a chance to better myself as a nurse. I did consider the fact that you an switch to other units after a year if I ended up not liking neuro. :) the only sucky part is I will be living on my own.

Hi all, Background: im an ICU nurse w/ 2 year experience. i worked in a 12 bed icu mixed MICU and SICU. Opportunity has come up that applied and got offered jobs at 2 hospitals: Option 1: -level 2 trauma center -mixed ICU as well (cardio, ms, trauma) -private hospital -considered to be in the less fortunate population area (not that i have a problem w/ this. i am working in one right now) -bay area hospital (higher pay but higher cost of living as well) -closer to relatives -provided relocation assistance Option 2 -big university medical center -level 1 trauma center -a specialty unit NEURO SURGICAL ICU (love neuro patients but dont know how im gonna be able to deal w/ the same patient population every day) -teaching hospital -opportunities for continuing education (they give discounts for employees) -not bay area -provide critical care classes -better benefits (retirement, holiday pays) Help me decide. For both hospitals, i will be relocating. I live in central CA and both hospitals are in Nothern CA. I am so torn.

Hi all, Background: im an ICU nurse w/ 2 year experience. i worked in a 12 bed icu mixed MICU and SICU. Opportunity has come up that applied and got offered jobs at 2 hospitals: Option 1: -level 2 trauma center -mixed ICU as well (cardio, ms, trauma) -private hospital -considered to be in the less fortunate population area (not that i have a problem w/ this. i am working in one right now) -bay area hospital (higher pay but higher cost of living as well) -closer to relatives -provided relocation assistance Option 2 -big university medical center -level 1 trauma center -a specialty unit NEURO SURGICAL ICU (love neuro patients but dont know how im gonna be able to deal w/ the same patient population every day) -teaching hospital -opportunities for continuing education (they give discounts for employees) -not bay area -provide critical care classes -better benefits (retirement, holiday pays) Help me decide. For both hospitals, i will be relocating. I live in central CA and both hospitals are in Nothern CA. I am so torn.

I had an interview before for a job at a local hospital that I thought was really tough. "Describe a difficult decision you've made and the process you went through to reach that decision." What would be your answer?

I agree with the above posters, if you have stable patients then you'd have a an idea of your routine for your shift. I work noc shifts and if i have unstable patients, then my routine will flow out of the window. You have to always expect the unexpected. As for typical duties. In our unit, we have no CNA/aide so we do our baths ourselves w/ the help of fellow RNs. We draw our AM labs. We turn our patients Q2hrs and do oral care Q4hrs especially on orally intubated patients. We do vitals every hour, pass meds, and sometimes neuro check q2hrs when patient is unstable. It is a looot of work. It's Total Patient Care. And this is what i love about working in the ICU, i know my patients intimately.. what's happening to them.. their medical history.. their families. I clean poop every night. (it's not the only thing you're going to be cleaning if you work in ICU) I think to become a great ICU nurse, you have to have a good attention to details. Know when something is different w/ your patient. You have to be OCD of some sort.. (just in my opinion only), I can not stand tubings that are everywhere.. I have to label everything. You have to be outspoken. Know how and when to advocate for your patients that are unable to talk. You have to be a team player. ICU is a tough place to work. You need team work in order to better care for your patients especially when they are crashing down. You have to be willing to learn every day even if you have been working for years.. You have to be assertive w/ patient care.. You have to have good nursing judgment. Good Luck!