loveSBK

ICU faqs is a website with a lot of information, which you download as a word document. I've found this website very helpful. And it's free!!!!

I hate that as well. I have to untangle everything, label everything from the pole to the actual IV. A lot of times, I end up cleaning my room before I even assess my patient (unless they're critical of course) because I can't work when my room is a ...

We only do neuro exams together if the pt is neuro-related. I've had nurses ask me to reposition the pt, to get a new bag of this since the one hanging is halfway done, to suction them, to pull out their central line together :Frankenstein:

Blooming onions from outback have been completely ruined for me....I used to love that dish

I don't know if there is something else you should be doing but thankfully nothing happened to the pt. I had something similar happen to me with a mag piggyback. I program the pump correctly and turned around to do other stuff and 5 minutes later the...

You need to start assessing patients in order to learn. Even though your preceptor doesn't explain everything, watch her attentively and make notes. Try to do an assessment after her and then explain to her your results. Practicing is the only way yo...

Perhaps your preceptor is stressed and has been keeping things under the radar that maybe she should have talked to you about but decides not to to not discourage you. From what you wrote, seems like things were great in the beginning. 5 weeks before...

My sister moved to Switzerland after working here as a nurse with her BSN. Over there, unless the red Cross certifies that you can work as a nurse, they will most likely hire you as a tech. That's only speaking from her experience in that specific co...

I've been waiting for your post lol. I love how you are keeping a "diary". I love DC as well. For ACLS, its really not bad. I had a great teacher and he went beyond just to teach us and to understand especially why the algorithms are the way they ar...

ICU is very tough and you need adequate training. It's great to have a preceptor but I'm finding out that most stuff you learn when you are on your own but with that said, you should have the ability to ask questions when in doubt. The only way to le...

Take the lab class. You'll learn and you'll have it in case you need it. You wouldn't want to wait until next semester/year to take a lab class because you didn't get into school #1 (which did not require lab)and school #2 (which does require it). Ne...

When I first started orienting in ICU, I was afraid of talking to the docs or anyone else, and I was especially afraid of giving report. My preceptor always told me that I needed to practice my report so we started doing that, before change of shift ...

This week I learned: 1. That I can see myself improving as an ICU nurse. I'm still terrified but I'm learning how to use my critical thinking skills to advocate or anticipate needs for my patients 2. A person can go from completely flacid to kicking ...

I love your posts. Sounds like you're getting more comfortable which is great. And sounds like you have a great support system at work as well, congrats!!!u PS. We had "I'm bringing sepsy back" as part of education class, it was awesome. Great way to...

I love your posts. I am a new grad in ICU as well, except my orientation was only 16 weeks and I'm now on my own. Going on my third week. I can surely relate to your posts. I can't wait to feel comfortable at my job. Thanks for the great posts!!!

I think working in a floor like med surg would still require you to learn the skills you mentioned above, such as rolling and changing sheets. I think becoming better at this tasks requires time and experience. You'll have to learn all these skills i...

As a new nurse, biggest fear is harming someone. I work in ICU so I'm always scared and respectful of anything I do.

I am thankful for a good day in the ICU. Great patients, great families, and a day without any events!!!!!

Thank you so much. It was just a tough week. Definitely seeing improvements though. I appreciate the support!!!!!!

This week I learned that as a new grad working in ICU, I feel dumb more times than I care to remember, that I know the basics and even that is tough, and that ICU is the most stressful job ever!!!! I also learned that I constantly hear the pumps alar...

Its May, definitely many people have taken the NCLEX this year including me. Yes, its all generic names for the drugs, not trade anymore. Every test is different and the questions are different, but if you visit the website it will provide a guide of...

I am currently in orientation for ICU and we only had classes at the beggining for 3 weeks straight, and then we were sent off to the floor with a preceptor for 3 weeks and were in class again. Just from class alone, you learn to appreciate what ICU ...

ICU definitely. ICU is tough and it would look awesome for that ED position you want. You will learn so much in ICU. I'm actually in a residency program for ICU and the ED folks are part of it. They only go somewhere else if its a topic being taught ...

AN means all nurses as in this blog :) I just started a new job in the ICU, Im also a new grad and I def know where you're coming from..everyday I'm at work I can't wait for the day to be over. I feel really overwhelmed and on the brink of crying. My...

Hello AN, I found out that I passed my NCLEX this week, I got 75 questions. I used this site (like most of us) to get clues, confidence, past experiences, and what not on how to tackle and pass NCLEX. I am so thankful for all those who posted who the...