The longest year. Finally off orientation! Proud ICU NP

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

I will be going back to work for my next shift as a nearly independent ICU NP after a little over a year of orientation. After 24 years of professional employment (and 33 years of work overall) this was the most challenging year I have ever experienced. The transition from 5 1/2 years of ICU RN experience to a provider was much tougher than I had anticipated. Part of it was because I come from a small community ICU where many high acuity patients are shipped out. I had never had a patient with a Swan-Ganz and now I'm managing patients post open heart. I had taken care of patients post tPA for stroke, but I had never seen an EVD, a bolt, or thrombectomy patients. Never seen a patient with a subarachnoid hemorrhage, or craniectomies. I think I studied more in the past year than in the 12 years of my ADN, MSN and NP programs. 

Some of my challenges were self-inflicted. My personality is one where I will often make self-deprecating remarks, and having been the overweight kid when I was younger it's been a defense mechanism to make fun of my own short comings before someone else could do it. Well, that looks like a lack of confidence in a new coworker and that translates into an appearance of incompetence. Which was noted by my new colleagues. Then there was the orientation itself. Very little structure. Not much feedback or written goals for the first 10 months, and then it was coming to crunch time. Super frustrating at times, and I admit I googled the job postings a few times, but I was determined that critical care is where I belong. And as of today it is. My last new career of my career. 

If you're struggling in an orientation, I feel you. If you need some support or a kind word, I've got it for you. I had a few coworkers that were invested in my success and I will forever be grateful for them. If you want it, you can get there, I'm proof of that. A few coworkers even pointed out that I've worked harder than most to get here, so they've seen my commitment and dedication. Looking forward to the rest of my career. 

[DallasRN]

Congratulations on your new role.  I laughed at the comment on the Swan.  I remember (was it a thousand years ago?) looking at a S-G set-up and feeling this horrible thing in the pit of my stomach.  And now, the thousand years later...

Just FYI and not exactly related to your new role, but I've been working with a FPNP for a few weeks on some health issues and without a doubt, the best patient/provider experience I've ever had.  I'm betting many of your patients will say the same. 

[JKL33]

Good for you--congratulations ?

[Gratefulbutnotstupid, ASN, LPN, RN]

Congratulations.  Enjoy your career!

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

DallasRN said:

Congratulations on your new role.  I laughed at the comment on the Swan. 

  I'm betting many of your patients will say the same. 

I'm glad you could chuckle at my Swan anxiety, I know I'll get used to all of these new experiences, but adding the provider role to technology I'm not used to certainly gave me some challenges.

And thank you for your kind words, I'm glad you're happy with your NP provider. What I lack in experience and knowledge I have already been known to almost compensate for with communication and empathy, so at least my patients and families seem satisfied with my care.