monkey2008

I'm in...the workload for this class seems to be a bit high compared to the others. Looks like my vacation to Mexico right after this class ends will be well deserved :)

I'm coming up on my one year anniversary as a nurse and six months on my own in MSICU. Last night I had my first nimbexed patient and my other patient decided to have an MI! I was overwhelmed and on the verge of tears the entire shift. I felt like I had no clue what to do, I didn't understand the big picture for my patients and I had no time to think. But you know what? I survived, my patients survived, and I left them in better shape than when I got them. sometimes, that is the only thing you can do. Do you know what I learned? Teamwork is vital to anyone's success. I honestly had an amazing rt and resident last night. Together, we made things better. the unknown is stressful, but once you have real life experience with a patient, the next time will be a little bit easier. I understand your frustration, but trust me, you will get there. If you told me 2 weeks ago I would have the assignment I did last night, I would have laughed and said I wasn't ready. But when you are thrown into unfamiliar waters, you learn to swim. The very fact you have these feelings makes me confident you are going to be a successful and amazing nurse. Never stop questioning, never stop growing and never stop learning. Best of luck!!

I agree with so many statements here. I was/am (less than 1 yr working) a new grad in MSICU . It's scary, challenging, heartbreaking, exhilarating, frustrating, fun, sad, happy and a whole bunch of other things all at once. The most important things are to know when you're in over your head so you can ask for help, and always think about WHY you are doing something, WHY doctors ordered something, and if you aren't sure the reason, ask. If the answer doesn't sit right with you, ask someone else. Never, never, never assume that the doctors or residents are always right. therefore, never blindly follow orders. soak up every single experience you can...I can often be found in the sickest patient's room, picking the nurses brain and lending a hand. There is so much to learn, never stop learning, never stop questioning, and always, always help out your neighbors...the day will come when you get a crazy assignment and need the extra hands to help you .

1. NE PA-1hr from Philly-large magnet hospital. 2. 3. MSICU 4. All new rns start at 24/hr. Just got a raise though so I'm at 24.48. 4k/ tuition reimbursement. 5. 0.75 for nights. Nothing for weekends unless you do weekend only program 6. Nope We just bought a 4 bedroom single family home on 1.5 acres for 300k. Taxes are 5600/yr. cost of living is pretty high, but compared to the immediate philly suburbs (where we are originally from), we got a good deal on our house and property. Seeing everyone's rate and cost of housing kind of makes me want to move. I absolutely LOVE where I work though, and I can't imagine being somewhere else. Looking forward to going to work means more than money to me.

Hey guys! Still here, still alive :). I finished my Ecco program this week and I start nights tonight (but I'm wide awake at 0900). I'm off orientation and on my own at the end of July...eeeek. I have learned so much and have come so far and on most days I feel like I have everything under control. But, I'm still very much a newb and still have a very large learning curve ahead of me. Best of luck everyone!

Hi everyone! Ahhhhhh. I love work so much :). There are times that it's overwhelming and I feel completely clueless, but there are so many times I can see how I'm progressing. We don't get goals, but I always ask for feedback from preceptors and ask how I can improve. I've had several preceptors and all of them have been fantastic. We just started the aacn essentials of critical care program, so it's honestly like we are back in school...but the concepts all make so much more sense now that I'm applying what I learn every day at work. Hope everyone else is doing well :)

Finished my first week on the floor, yesterday was my first 12 and today is my first payday as a nurse :) I was shocked at how fast 12 hours went by, and how many little things interrupt your day. Each day I'm doing things I hadn't done before, and trying to remember and process everything. Everyone is sooooo nice and helpful-I really am so lucky that my unit/hospital system is so supportive. I can't tell you how many times I've been asked "do you need help, do you have question, what can I do to help you" it is so nice to feel supported and not alone! I was so nervous about working in icu and wondering if I'd be in over my head and I have to say I'm so glad I'm here-I couldn't imagine being on another unit! Now-off to find ways to spend my first paycheck!!!

I'm finished my first week....so much information, but everyone is so nice and helpful. We did mostly classroom stuff, and will be on the floor more next week. Good news is I passed the NLN med assessment so I'm ready to give meds :)

I'm also worried about switching to nights! But, I have no choice, so I guess I'll find a way to make it work. I start Monday and the closer I get, the more anxious I am getting. It's really comforting to hear everyone talk about how much support they are getting at their hospitals. I had a great feeling when I interviewed and I'm anticipating the same support, still doesn't help the nerves!

One week left!!!! Can't wait for this class to be over-I'm sick of paper writing!

She was the nurse-her badge said RN and she introduced herself as the nurse :)

Not mean at all, very truthful and 1000000% accurate. Sometimes I just need to hear another point of view for the lightbulb to go off.

Again, thank you all. You've given me exactly what I was looking for-different perspectives from people not as "close" to the situation, and with way more experience than myself. I appreciate the help! And dad is doing well-just bored out of his mind and wanting to escape :) Hoping to be discharged tomorrow.

Thank you all for your responses. I did look up why NA levels would be elevated, ad I think I understand. Maybe I'm more confused about my role as a nurse, and how I would handle the question. I start work as a gn next month, so I think I'm also using this as a learning experience on how to handle different situations when they arise. Would it have been allowable and reasonable for my dad's nurse to explain why they are drawing it, instead of just saying "oh we just check it"??? Or is that not really an expectation/role of the nurse? I always thought it was, but I also know school is very different from real world, so I'm just trying to connect the dots. Your responses brought on something I really hadn't considered (the grey area). It's hard to not think like a nurse when you're playing the daughter role. This is my first experience with it, and I'm trying to learn from it.

My dad had surgery Tuesday to remove pituitary adenoma. This is his second surgery in 5 years for this issue. Both last time and this time, he developed diabetes insipidus, which I understand is a common complication from the surgery. Yesterday, he was moved from icu to med/surg. The nurse came in and said he needed to draw blood to test his sodium, she drew one vial. I asked if his levels were high. She responded "oh we just test it". I didn't say anything more, and she doesn't know I'm a (brand spanking new) nurse. I really don't want to be an annoying family member, and I haven't even begun working as a nurse yet, so I realize I view nursing through rose colored glasses. However, I was a little put off by her response and wanted more information, am I wrong to expect this? Should I have questioned her more about it, or is that being over involved? Thanks for your insight.

Agreed, especially since I've never worked nights in my life. It is not lost on me though how fortunate I am to even have a job, let alone a gn internship at a magnet hospital. If they told me I had to work every weekend and holiday nights, I'd still do it. heck, I'd even pay them to work there just for the opportunity to learn and gain experience :)

Hi guys! I'm a new ADN grad starting in feb for. 6 month micu/sicu internship. After my first month of training, I switch to nights as well. Best of luck everyone, I think this thread is a great idea.

it's so quiet because we are all writing our papers and posts, or trying to at least

Yes! I'm an ADN and will be starting my first job at a magnet hospital (in pa) next month. While it may not be the "norm" in this economy and job market, it is certainly doable. Best of luck!

Thanks esme! I did purchase the icufaq book (which is awesome), but I was looking for an actual textbook to supplement and fill in some of the blanks) My friend sells rn textbooks, so I'm headed to her place this weekend to check out what she has before ordering.

I'm a new nurse, I'll be starting my first job next month. I somehow lucked out and was offered a position for a 6 month gn internship on the unit of my choice (micu/sicu) at a magnet hospital. As the start date get closer, I realize a few things every day: I'm thankful to have a job, I'm excited to start working, I'm terrified I'm going to cause harm, I'm acutely aware of how much I really don't know, I'm very aware of how unprepared I am to be a "real nurse", I'm going to be working harder than I ever have before since in addtion to working full time, I'll have to be studying full time to really grasp all that I see/do during a shift. I understand that I'm only going to get what I give, which applies to respect, work ethic and learning. I, like everyone else, worked really hard and made a lot of sacrifices to go back to school as an adult (I'm a second degree nurse), I certainly do not think the learning stopped when I passed my boards, in fact the learning is really just beginning and is never ending. I think the whole discussion, for the most part, comes down to the type of person you are. If you work hard, are willing to learn, and respectful, for the most part, your coworkers will be the same. If you don't work hard, act like you have nothing to learn and don't put in the time and effort, that's what you'll get back. I don't know, just my $0.01, I'm not working yet so I don't deserve $ 0.02 :)

Thanks for the suggestions, I appreciate the help. I'll head to a local bookstore to take a look at some of your options.

I know this topic has been covered a millions times, so here's one more. I'm a new grad starting a gn internship in micu/sicu next month (and both nervous and excited). it's a 6 month program and while I know they will prepare me well, I still want some extra resources. I looked through previous threads and ordered the icufaqs book, which is very helpful. However, I'm looking for a textbook-type book to supplement. Can anyone either suggest a good critical care textbook, or recommend a brick and mortar store with a large selection of critical care textbooks that I can actually look at before buying ( does Barnes and noble offer medical textbooks???) Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions!

HI there! I'm enrolled in 4510 starting on Monday. I start my first nursing job (eeek) Feb 18, so I figured I'd get a class out of the way before I begin working. After work starts, I'm taking a long break from school as I anticipate being overwhelmed with being a brand new nurse in a micu/sicu internship. Here's hoping we have a successful first class :)