Quick question from a new grad floating to ICU

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Hello and thank you for any replies. I have three months of training on a med-surg floor and two months of working on a very busy tele floor. Today my charge called and asked if I wanted to float to the ICU for a couple of days (which happens to be my dream job). My question is what should I study over the next two days to prepare myself (as much as possible) for the upcoming experience. I was thinking drips and ventilators would be a good start. Any other advice will be much appreciated.

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Specializes in ICU.
Hello and thank you for any replies. I have three months of training on a med-surg floor and two months of working on a very busy tele floor. Today my charge called and asked if I wanted to float to the ICU for a couple of days (which happens to be my dream job). My question is what should I study over the next two days to prepare myself (as much as possible) for the upcoming experience. I was thinking drips and ventilators would be a good start. Any other advice will be much appreciated.

Interesting question, but it will depend on the facility you're working in. I would imagine that you would not be given a patient on drips or ventilators (due to you're lack of experience). If you are given a patient on drips or ventilators be sure to ask questions when you are unsure. Other than that, relax and don't make too big a deal out of it.

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Honestly, they won't be giving you patients, unless they are med surg or tele pts that are no longer needing ICU care but no beds available. I would just encourage you to feel the unit out, establish rapport with the charge, and be genuinely friendly, offer to help, and ask a lot of questions. I would make it clear that you are interested in working there someday. If you leave a great first impression they will remember you. They wont expect a non ICU nurse to know ICU stuff. Good luck!

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One day when I was working on a step down unit as a fairly new nurse I was doing an overtime shift. I was in the assignment area and the pm supervisor called me and an agency nurse. He said to me go to ICU, you are in charge and the agency nurse is working with you. That was my first ICU assignment with less than a years experience as an RN. I made it through the nite and had no complaints from the oncoming shift of experienced ICU nurses

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Thank you for all of your replies. Ill do as you all suggest and just try to relax and help out where available. Thanks for all your help.

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