pmb04

I took and passed the CCRN after 1.5 years in the ICU. It took me a total of 3 weeks to study: 1 week to watch and take notes on Laura Gasparis DVDs and two weeks of non-stop Pass CCRN practice exams. Make sure you understand the rationales for the questions. Good luck!

Yep, this was the norm in a busy academic medical center ICU where I used to work. As charge, I'd either take a stable CRRT 1:1 or stable pair. One night, it was so bad that the charge that night had to take on a triple assignment because our acuity was so high and we were just so short-staffed.

I practiced Pass CCRN questions as much as possible, made sure I understood the rationales, and watched Laura Gasparis videos to reinforce concepts. Good luck!

First of all, I applaud you for making a big change in your nursing career. It's very easy to get pigeon-holed into one aspect of nursing, and I think it's great that you want to learn and try a new field in nursing. I transitioned into the ICU from the OR 3 years ago and have no regrets. I still remember my orientation because it was rough! I had zero bedside nursing skills because I started as a new grad in the OR and was there for 2.5 years before moving to the ICU. So I told my preceptor to treat me like a new grad. I definitely had my doubts during orientation as to whether or not I could handle it. I would come home exhausted, and during my shifts i would run to the bathroom just so my preceptors/coworkers wouldn't see me cry because it was very stressful. The first year was the most challenging. But i persevered, I agree with previous posters - icufaqs.com is a great resource. I also listened to critical care podcasts on my drive to work, and googled anything I wasn't familiar with. I only recommend using Pass CCRN for when you start studying for the CCRN exam. It is way too detailed and overwhelming to try to tackle as a brand new ICU nurse. Ask questions as much as possible, attend inservices and M&M's. Make sure your preceptor advocates for you to take on the sickest patients on the unit. Some of your OR skills will come in handy especially if you're working in a SICU. You know the surgeries, dressings, implants, anatomy probably more than your coworkers because you've seen it firsthand. Also, if there's an emergency bedside procedure, you can set up the room and surgical field in a snap, and set up the bovie or argon. How long is your orientation? I would ask for at the minimum 10 weeks to work alongside your preceptor, especially if you've been in the OR for 6 years. Is your hospital making you take a critical care course? Best of luck to you! You will do great. You seem very motivated and maintaining that attitude will help you to be a competent ICU nurse!