Trauma and Surgical ICU Questions

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Hey guys I'm currently working at a small hospital in the Cardiac Intermediate Unit. My scholarship contract is up in Jan. and I just got a job in a Level I hospital in the Trauma and Surgical ICU. I'm so excited to start. I love educational opportunities, fast pace, and challanges. I've been researching some concepts/problems/equipment that I'll probably encounter, as I wanted to come as prepared as possible. We do get a 6 month orientation - but I'd like to go ahead and learn as much as possible before hand. So my question is to all you Trauma/Surgical ICU nurses: What are some important things I need to be researching? Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in Neuro, ER, Acute, Home Health.
Hey guys I'm currently working at a small hospital in the Cardiac Intermediate Unit. My scholarship contract is up in Jan. and I just got a job in a Level I hospital in the Trauma and Surgical ICU. I'm so excited to start. I love educational opportunities, fast pace, and challanges. I've been researching some concepts/problems/equipment that I'll probably encounter, as I wanted to come as prepared as possible. We do get a 6 month orientation - but I'd like to go ahead and learn as much as possible before hand. So my question is to all you Trauma/Surgical ICU nurses: What are some important things I need to be researching? Thanks in advance.

you go girl.....I just went from Neuro to ER myself but we have a ton of codes in neuro from tons of ICP

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ICP Bolts and EVds

Swan Ganz

Hemodynamics

Fat Embolus

Cardiac Tamponade

Epinephrine, Norepi, Dopamine, Dobutamine

Fluid and Electrolytes

Advanced ventilation strategies and basic ventilator settings.

Transfusion Related Lung Injury-->You'll give a LOT of products in a trauma unit

ARDS

Cervical and Spinal precautions

HHH therapy for heads

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Specializes in Trauma acute surgery, surgical ICU, PACU.

Rhabdomyolysis

Compartment syndrome

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Don't bother, if you go in acting like you know everything already, all of your preceptors will treat you like garbage. Hate to put it that way, but it's the truth.

Learn it in orientation and research it as you go, it's a lot to know. You're better off making a list of what you don't know after the 6 months of orientation is up and trying to learn as much as possible about the stuff you never or rarely encountered at work.

Any good orientation program will have you prepared and give you additional educational opportunities if you seek them out. Enjoy your time off beforehand because if your orientation is anything like mine was, it'll make nursing school look like a joke!

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Specializes in ICU, Research, Corrections.

Congrats Hunter. A six month orientation is good.

Trauma ICU has a LOT of visitors. That is one of the reasons I don't like it. Throw in open visitation, 6 visitors in a room, tons of them asking the same questions. This is one area of the hospital that should have strict visiting hours, IMHO.

Once again, congrats!

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