Step Down ICU ?

Jen1228 · Aug 22, 2007

I don't think they would offer you the job if they didn't feel like you could handle it. 12 weeks of orientation will definitely help. I wish I could have gotten a job like that straight out of school. Good luck. Give it a try, if you don't like it, there are other areas to work in.

decartes · Aug 22, 2007

I'm doing Step-down orientation myself and I too was and still am scared. Hang in there.

rkrs6673 · Aug 22, 2007

Thanks so much for the replys. I am going to give it a try. I start on Monday and I am going to give it my all. I am eager to learn as much as I can from my preceptors. I hope this will be a good fit for me.

rkrs6673 · Aug 22, 2007

I'm doing Step-down orientation myself and I too was and still am scared. Hang in there.

How far are you into your orientation?

GeminiTwinRN, BSN · Aug 22, 2007

I started on ICU step-down, and have been on the unit for 7 months now. I started out with just 3 weeks on dayshift orientation and then went to night shift for the remainder of my 12 week orientation period.

On July 20, I moved to dayshift! YAY!

Of course, there are pros and cons to each shift, but overall I must say it is MUCH MUCH busier on days, but my health and overall wellbeing is much better being on a "normal" (as normal as 12-14 hr shiftwork can be ) schedule.

Are you going to be on nights or days after orientation?

Also, what kind of hospital are you in? I work in a Level 1 trauma center, and I must say that it very closely resembles the ICU in my previous private hospital setting with the exception of vents.

rkrs6673 · Aug 23, 2007

I am going to what I call a small busy community hospital. About a 400 - 450 bed hospital. I will be on nights :)

Thanks so much for your reply. I am starting to feel much better! Still nervous but ok.