SICU orientation

I am not in a critical care setting but I got 3 months orientation on a ortho/neuro/trauma unit. I dont think it is ever enough . . .but, people know you are new, and you just have to ask questions when you need to. Let's face it, it is experience we all need . . .and that just takes time - they cant keep us on orientation forever I guess.

I'm a recent grad on a neuro trauma ICU as well, finishing up a 3 month orientation. I don't think it prepared me for everything but I'm looking forward to cutting the cord. I've been on long enough to know my strengths and weaknesses. I do not believe further orientation is going to fill in any more blanks for me. Only experience, as another poster has said, is going to help. Of course it has to be said that we don't work in a vacuum. The rest of the team, the other nurses, are there for us and the learning continues. It is imperative to have a cohesive team. We sink or swim as a team. The battle is knowing how and when to ask for help.

I've been told repeatedly, and believe it's true ... it takes 1-2 years to really settle in as a new nurse in a critical care area. You cannot and will not do or see it all in the first 3-6 months. I completed a 4-month orientation in a Level I ER, and while I was scared nearly witless for a while to be on my own, I feel that 4 months was the right amount of time -- at that point I felt the need to "cut the cord" and just do it. As RNKittyKat said, we don't operate in a vacuum - you'll still be learning, still asking questions. Good luck to you! :)