Transferring to MSICU

[loudwheels, ADN, BSN]

I've been working on an Orthopedic/Surgical Unit for about a year now following graduation. ICU has always been the goal.

Back in April, I interviewed for and was offered a job in our MSICU starting with the next critical care class. Well, that's arrived! It starts on the 30th this month, which is also when I'll be starting my orientation on the floor. The hospital I'm at isn't a large trauma center or anything like that - but I'm still excited to get my foot in the door of the ICU. The class I'm taking is 8 hrs a week for 12 weeks, but the orientation on the floor will be 8-12 weeks based on how I do. The goal is for 8 weeks, since I'm already familiar with our charting system.

Well, now that it's here I'm extremely nervous. One of my closet co-workers applied and interviewed after I was offered the job - so at least I'll know someone that's going through it with me. She starts on the floor a few weeks after me, however.

Any advice for switching from a busy med-surg floor? I have mastered the art of flipping a team on our surgical floor, but I know ICU is a whole different game.

Any good brain sheets out there for MSICU? Currently I just use a blank paper.

Thanks in advance! I'm excited for this new adventure.

[KellyRN86, BSN, RN]

Hi! So I've been med surg for 9 years (mainly medical pts) and switched the MICU at a different, much larger hospital...this week! Today will be my 3rd day. It's a bit overwhelming and I need to get used to the pace and the Q1hr things. I have wonderful preceptors who are awesome at giving me feedback constructively whether it's positive or negative, so that's good. Yesterday was the first day I really kind of took care of a pt and documented everything and when I was giving report (something I am usually really good at) it was super choppy bc I'm not used to giving the ENTIRE back story...on med surg we give a very brief background of why they are here and any really important things like a fall or rapid response or blood products, but I've noticed in ICU they want a day by day, what happened each day kind of story. My advice is take breaks when you can and make sure you eat, and drink water!! Write down in a little notebook things that you come across that you need to read about more in depth, and don't be afraid to ask questions!! I will have the ECCO class coming up soon which I think will help me too. Good luck!!

[loudwheels, ADN, BSN]

I love the idea of carrying around a notebook for things to look up in the future. I picked up my binder for the first 6 weeks of class, and I have SO much to learn. When I've gotten ICU transfers, the report they give me is extremely detailed. Versus what I want in report currently: what surgery they had, if they're an othro, have they been up with PT, and are they peeing? Most other things I can look up and read notes and such.