Want to cry

What you are feeling is fairly normal. Any ICU can get really intense. The most important thing is that you know that how much you still need to learn, you are not trying to work outside of your skill level. It will get better!! You will learn new skills & ways of coping. Nothing worthwhile comes easily. In a year you will look back @ the way you feel now & be amazed @ what you have learned. As one who was in your shoes 3 years ago, I can tell you, hang in there. To repeat myself, it will get better.

I think we are wearing the same shoes! All I can tell you is focus on those around you... look for people you respect, and ask them questions. I'm lucky enough to work in a place where even if my preceptor is not around, the other nurses will answer questions, or help me out. The only thing I would say absolutely do NOT do is pretend like you know what you are doing when you don't, or take on a procedure that you are not comfortable with! Either of those things will kill whatever motivation your teachers might have to show you things! One other thing I have learned: even if I THINK I know what they are going to say, I wait until they are done and then ask questions. Even if I'm fairly comfortable with something, the person teaching me may have something to offer that I wasn't aware of. Keep your head up, it will get better!

You need to find balance between your career and emotional health....work within your scope....ask for help and mentoring at work....have healthy interests outside of work-exercise, nutrition and supportive relationships. Give yourself time.

Welcome to the big leagues! Hang in there. It gets better.

I am also on orientation in a medical cardiac ICU! i know how u feel exactly!! i'm so overhwlemed at the same time excited about all the new challenges. i think if u look at it in a positive way things will b easier. don't beat urself up for things you don't know or when u needa ask a "dumb" question its OKAY! of course we don't know everything, and the person asking obviously would know the answer to her question but if u ask her a question she might not know either because we are human :) thats what someone told me to calm my nerves when i first started. We have an APN that is constantly around to make sure we know what we are doing, and would orrally test us randomly throughout the day and that to me is the most stressful part of orientation!

I know how you feel. It is good you feel overwhelmed at first. Don't hesitate to ask questions even if you feel "they will think I stupid." The good ones are the ones who know how easy it is to make a mistake, that this is not easy stuff to digest quickly and that we need each other and resources to provide best practice and safe patient care. Hang in there, you're going to do fine.