What do you like about being an ICU RN?

leosrain, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2008

Here's a secret...

Try to find out by word of mouth what your manager's research interests are (usually managers have a Masters or PhD), or perhaps what projects they are working on for the unit.

For example, my ICU manager did her research on family care, and she was working on many programs to support families.

So, it was easy for me to integrate the idea that I was interested in helping families cope in difficult times, support them, etc. etc.

Make sense?

Or if their interest is more technical, talk about how you are interested in the technical aspects.

Otherwise, truly soul search and see if you can put your desires into words. I know, it's super hard!

Dinith88 · Mar 21, 2008

I expect to be interviewing for an ICU internship in the next few weeks, and I was trying to find some of the reasons why one would like to work in the ICU setting. ICU is where I want to work, but it's kind of difficult for me to put into words WHY exactly I want to do it. I like using my brain, critically thinking, being where the action is, working with very sick patients, etc.; but I know there are more reasons than these, and more eloquent ways to word it...And never having actually worked in the ICU, I'm sure there are aspects of it that I am not even aware of.
I hope that you will share with me what you like best about working in the ICU, not only to help me in preparing for an interview, but to inspire future ICU nurses as well as each other!

This may not help you in an interview...but...what i (and many other) ICU nurses like the best is that 'the buck stops here'.

You work with the sickest of the sick. NO other unit or department is like ICU. The patient gets better...or...

Sure, other units/departments see people deteriorate or come to them half dead...but only long enough to get them where they need to be (yep...the ICU).

Oh, and ICU nurses are probably the most autonomous of all staff nurses in any other department...and need to be...and...

But...be careful of what you wish for :uhoh3: The work is demanding, not for the timid...and you'll be exposed to awful things every day, exposed to families in crisis and ... be expected to smile as you work...and...no matter what you do, lay-people will still think ER nurses are sexier (where i work they are...for the most part...)

But...none of that should matter if its your calling ... :smokin:

so...butter your interviewer up and make a flowery-idealist-type of saving people and mercifully-relieving-their-suffering-stuff....and you'll be fine. Or...(as the other poster suggested)...ask her about her school school-researchy-stuff ?????.

You should have a fine internship!

hikergurl24 · Mar 21, 2008

If we are talking about what we love about the ICU...I love new traumas. Don't get me wrong, I do not want people to get hurt!...There is something about getting a new admission and having to be the person who needs to REALLY assess that person. The blood transfusions, the pressors, the ventrics, all that critical thinking! Its amazing how deep you get involved and then look up and 12 hours are over and your patient is still alive. What a rush.

nursejill155 · Mar 21, 2008

Bo honest about why you want to work there, you don't need fancy words or tricks to get in. When I interviewed I spoke a little and listen a lot, my manager was graphic about what you see and what you have to deal with. Nothing you can do, will prepare you. It is sad, you will cry but you will save lives daily and the best is when you think "gosh, my pt is going to die." And they don't! Don't sugar coat it, or ask for advice about what to say, your reasons are good for wanting to be there. Just go in ready to learn. Remember...that there is always something to learn, and ask questions!!!!

LuckyoneRN · Mar 24, 2008

What I like best about ICU is the teamwork...you know that saying about it taking a village to raise a child? Well it takes a team to "save" a patient ( or to help them transition at the end of life). No matter how critical the patient, I know that there is always someone popping in and asking "Do you need anything?", or even better, they KNOW what needs to be done and do it without needing to be asked. Not only are the RN's there, but the CNA's (God bless them for all they do...ours are so friendly and talkative they are able to give us a great psychosocial background, back three generations, # of grandkids, how they met their spouse, favorite foods,etc--I'm only half exaggerating--after just the bath), the RT's, dietary, unit secretaries(who make sure that the chart full of stat and now orders gets copied and given to you since you haven't been able to leave the room for 45 minutes), and of course MD's. I am so fortunate to be a part of this team and thank my lucky stars every work day that I work with such a great group.

I also love the challenge of trying to figure out what is really going on with the patients, and thinking it through from a pathophys direction. Connecting all the dots...

Good luck with your interview...just be yourself. A willingness to learn is crucial in critical care.

autumn_raine · Mar 24, 2008

:yeahthat: LuckyoneRN described many of the reasons I WANT to be an ICU nurse. I love the idea a true teamwork and analyzing the patho of the patient to determine was is causing the problem. I love understanding WHY my patient is experiencing the symptoms they are rather than just being told what to do about them. I have high hopes that ICU is where I belong!

michaRN, RN · Mar 24, 2008

I love ICU because everyday is a new learning experience for me...A lot of things to learn..lots lots lots..... And im geting to understand better the wholistic being of the human body...

allnurses Guide · Mar 30, 2008

The constant learning and challenging of your knowledge is what I love best about ICU. The autonomy and responsibility is a close second.