Starting in ICU as nurse tech. Scared!!

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Hi everyone, I am starting in the ICU as a nurse tech and, Im scared! First of all Ive never worked in a hospital before. Just clinicals. What am I in for? The manager was saying that everyday on the job is like a interview. You can get fired any day. I did clinicals on the Med Surg floor. I dont know much about ICU. How do I not drowned? Please help, Thanks.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

What a wonderful opportunity! I bet you end up loving it and really learning a lot. Try to be excited, not scared. :)

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.

Don't worry too much, you will get lots of support because ICU generally has better staffing ratios.

I loved critical care. THere is so much to learn

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Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.

One thing I must say as a rule: jump in head first and do everything they'll let you do. I started recently as a student nurse tech in an outpatient surgery unit and it's the coolest thing ever. It's not floor nursing but I've learned the vitals machines, how to admit patients for surgery and I've recently become the queen of taking out IVs even in pediatric cases. Always ask an RN (or anyone around) if there's something you don't understand. If there's alot of different people around, someone may tell you to do something you aren't familiar with and just assume that you know what you're doing. I had a moment like that last week and I told the nurse, "Look...I'm not sure I'm comfortable doing this alone. Can you have my back and check my work?" I'm always asking if there's anything I can do to make the lives of my nurses easier and it pays off. They're happy to have me and I get to spend some time just hanging out with my pediatric cases, making sure both kid and parent are comfortable and as calm as can be. I know ICU will be different than where I'm at, but some of what I've learned can be applied. Good luck and don't be too scared!

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Specializes in Cardiac.

I am jealous, I want to do the same in January.

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I am jealous, I want to do the same in January.

Youll be in my shoes soon. Hopefully not as nervous as me though!

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Specializes in Cardiac.
Youll be in my shoes soon. Hopefully not as nervous as me though!

I'm sure I will be nervous, but excited as well. I want to end up in ICU, I just didn't think there were tech jobs available there. Gives me hope!

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I work in a ER as a coordinator i dont know much about the ICU other than anyone that goes up there is initibated, or really critical. Sometimes that can work to your advantage, at least youre not putting up with BS [patients fighting with you to get bloodwork done, patients attitude, etc etc]

Dont get worried ! I dont know why they would warn you about getting fired any day, thats kind of brutal. You never know, you might turn out BETTER than the people who have been there for >5 years (I know I am). Just always find something to do, if your nurse isnt asking you to do anything, and the patient's call light is off then make up beds or if its REALLY slow ask someone to show you how to stock up (show that youre a go getter).

You will do fine, dont be scared. Youre not going to be placed in a situation where its harmful to the patient, people are going to ask you to do things. Its going to take some time before you get your sea legs, but you will be fine :clown:

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

I worked as a PCA in ICU for about 1 year. It was awsome! The work is difficult, but there isn't a day that goes by where your not learning and connecting. I've looked everywhere for a nurse tech position and haven't been lucky at all. I'm now taking the LPN test and I only have 1 year left in the RN program. At least I can learn time management and hopefully keep up my skills this summer. Wishing you the best of luck :yeah:

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I currently working as a float nurse tech and have gone to the ICU for the first time in the past 2 weeks. I LOVE IT!! I had the same feelings and concerns that you have (and still do to a point) but the staff is wonderful. They truly enjoyed explaining what all of the machines do, what they look for in assessing their patients ect. My suggestion is be honest with them. Tell them when you are doing somethign for the first time and ask for their guidance but also be eager to try new things. After a few shifts I am realizing how each nurse likes things done. For example there is one nurse who always seems to get the most critically ill patients. I found out that she likes her VS done 10 mins before the hour so a 1700 VS would be taken at 1650. Once I started to be one step ahead she has started to teach and explain things to me. I guess you have to prove that you really want to learn from them and are willing to work hard.

Each shift I learn something new and have already seen things that I know will help me in starting Med Surg this fall.

Good luck and rememebr with each shift there you will feel less like a fish out of water :D

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

liz. . .did this manager actually say to you that everyday on the job is like an interview and that you could get fired any day? if so, after what you pm'd me about, i wouldn't feel the least bit guilty about what you told me. just do what i advised you. he sounds like a jerk.

you are going to do as much of the hands on care as the nurses can pass on to you. you'll be doing hourly outputs (checking urine in foley bags), turning patients, probably inserting foleys, replacing electrodes, and a lot of cpr just to name a few things. it would be nice if they teach and let you suction and do trach/et tube care. i loved working with chest tubes. the nurses will be right there--you won't be alone. people in icu don't often get many coffee breaks. it's a busy place. a lot of technical stuff there. learn about the machines--it's the first step in conquering a fear of them.

there is information about the stuff going on in icu on these websites.

when you get home from a shift, look stuff up that you have questions about:

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

I still remember my first pull to the ICU....machines, monitors and lots of tubes everywhere. I was barely able to keep up...lots of glucoscans, beepers, and alarms. Couldn't turn vent patients without RNs, couldn't transfer etc...

I say that It'll take time to become comfortable...but it happens. and a good dose of fear each shift ensures that you do the best job you can..

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