ICURN2013

Our CABG patients are 1:1 for the first 12-24 hours. Everyone else is 2:1, but we end up with three patients a piece all the time on night shift due to staffing issues.

I've worked in an 18 bed general ICU for a year now, and we deal with a little bit of everything. Most of the patients assigned to me as a newer nurse in the unit have had diagnoses of sepsis/SIRS/MODS, pneumonia/ARDS/respiratory failure, DKA, acute renal failure, MI (post cath lab overnight observation), or symptomatic EKG abnormalities. I've also had quite a few trauma patients (GSWs, MVAs- lots of chest tubes). Familiarize yourself with ACLS, rhythms and drips (nitro, cardizem, levophed, dopamine, etc.), sepsis protocol, vents, etc. If you have a high population of ARF patients, brush up on CRRT. Also, in the critical care environment, it is so important to be familiar with your state's Nurse Practice Act. Physicians will ask you to do things that are not in your scope of practice in emergencies! Protect your license.

I graduated in May and passed boards three weeks ago. I did my preceptorship in an 18 bed critical care unit in April and was offered a job there the day after I found out I passed boards. My classroom orientation started this week, and I will start on the unit with my preceptor next Thursday. I'm nervous about getting started but so excited to have landed my dream job straight out of nursing school! This thread was a great idea. :)