Specialty Change Concerns!

RN1989 · Aug 25, 2008

The biggest problem that I had when I worked the unit was being bored. Literally. After running my butt off taking care of 7-10 pts on medsurg and tele, having 2-4 pts in the unit was slow. I could get everything done and would sit there staring at my patients while the other nurses were complaining that they were too busy.

The one thing I really disliked about the units were the attitudes. Because you are in an enclosed area, you have a lot more contact with the others. Gossip can get bad sometimes when there is too much down time. Stay out of the drama and you'll be ok. Being a guy, you may find that much easier to do.

Do be aware that as a guy, you'll probably be asked to help do a lot of repositioning.

Other than the drama/politics, I really enjoyed the units. There is generally more time to get to know your patient's histories and unless there is an emergency, after being comfortable with floor work, ICU is a breeze once you learn the critical care parts of it.

I would suggest that you get a reference book. The critical care handbook by Mosby is excellent. It covers everything from physical exams, vent settings, CVP/Swan readings, blood component transfusions, to some specific diagnoses with usual treatments. I found it invaluable when I started the units and I get an updated one periodically to make sure that I am current on the newest standards.

If you aren't a whiz at reading tele monitors, get a good EKG reference book. I have a set of "cards" that are on a ring that I have used when teaching people how to read strips. They have told me that the cards were better than some of the books because it was faster and simpler to read when they were in a hurry.

After you get some experience under you, you will notice that generally there is a more collegial relationship with the docs. Once they trust you, they really rely on you to tell them what needs to be ordered. Sometimes you have to say "I'm not the doctor, will you please tell ME what you want ordered". But it is nice to be given that respect that you don't always get out on the floor. Of course when the docs get mad in the ICU, they often will throw bigger fits than you see out of the floor too since the issues in ICU can be more critical.

You really need to look at "why" you are having doubts. Is it really the different type of work load or is it more overall anxiety about changing jobs.

There is always anxiety when you change jobs and changing specialties at the same time can increase it. Take a look at your real reasons and see if they are related to your overall life issues at the moment, or feelings of inadequacy because you've never worked in this area. If you feel inadequate - do things to make that better - get reference books, take a critical care course (some places like Nursing Education of America base their courses off of real reference books and then you get a good reference book to keep). The more you know, the better you'll feel. If it is just the overall changes giving you stress - you flat out need to chill out and relax.

Decide quickly though. If you back out after you have already gotten the ICU job and there aren't lots of job options available to you, you may have a hard time with getting a job because they don't like people to back out at the last minute. It could make transitioning to the unit a lot harder at a later time.

Good luck!

BinkieRN, BSN, RN · Aug 25, 2008

This may help, best of luck :nurse: http://www.icufaqs.org/

RN1989 · Aug 25, 2008

Oooh, that's a pretty good site! Too bad we didn't have internet around when I started.