What is it like to be an ICU RN?

Specialties MICU

Published

....Im curious to know what it is like to be an RN in the ICU.....can anyone give me insight into what they know?

thanks..:specs:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
....Im curious to know what it is like to be an RN in the ICU.....can anyone give me insight into what they know?

thanks..:specs:

Well, let see . . . it's sort of like being a juggler . . . you're monitoring the EKG, the BP/MAP, the SpO2, the EtCO2, the lab values, the urine output, the output from the various drains . . . then when something goes wacky, you respond appropriately (titrate gtts, give fluid, give lytes, more O2, whatever). And, when you've got three balls in the air, you let the least important one drop ( prioritize ).

It's challenging and requires critical thinking to understand how our various interventions are causing other problems . . .

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Well, let see . . . it's sort of like being a juggler . . . you're monitoring the EKG, the BP/MAP, the SpO2, the EtCO2, the lab values, the urine output, the output from the various drains . . . then when something goes wacky, you respond appropriately (titrate gtts, give fluid, give lytes, more O2, whatever). And, when you've got three balls in the air, you let the least important one drop ( prioritize ).

It's challenging and requires critical thinking to understand how our various interventions are causing other problems . . .

wow..............i honestly dont know about the things you moniter as you described.......but i can make out what your trying to say......thanks for that detailed insight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1:up::yeah:!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

And don't forget, with all those balls in the air to keep a close eye on, there will still be 87 people who want to talk to you about this or that...physical therapy, discharge planning, palliative care, doctors, med students, occupational therapy, charge nurse, manager...everytime you turn around, someone will need some kind of information. YOU are the gatekeeper to interdisciplinary care.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
And don't forget, with all those balls in the air to keep a close eye on, there will still be 87 people who want to talk to you about this or that...physical therapy, discharge planning, palliative care, doctors, med students, occupational therapy, charge nurse, manager...everytime you turn around, someone will need some kind of information. YOU are the gatekeeper to interdisciplinary care.

Yes, you're right about that. And there's also the family wanting to know what this or that alarm means or why your ventilated patient can't talk to them or why your sedated patient doesn't respond to them. Yeah, maybe it's more than 3 balls!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Surgical Trauma Burn ICU, Oncology.
Yes, you're right about that. And there's also the family wanting to know what this or that alarm means or why your ventilated patient can't talk to them or why your sedated patient doesn't respond to them. Yeah, maybe it's more than 3 balls!!

LOL so true.... man oh man, sometimes family is the icing on the cake. calling q 2 hours to ask if the damn bolt is out of the pt's head and continuing to receive the SAME ANSWER. AHH so glad i'm home drinking wine.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

ICU=working in a circus.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment