What Personalioty Does Best in ICU Nursing?

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Hello,

I'm about to begin the U.W. Oshkosh accelerated nursing program and have been thinking about where I would want to specialize (in the last clinical we get to choose a specialty, whoo!). I am wondering what kind of personality does best as an ICU nurse? I have an interest in a few particular specialties, but I do realize that what you *think* will suit you best doesn't always do so, sometimes because it really doesn't fit your personality (and sometimes because what looks fun on TV is not actually fun when you do it!).

So, what kind of personality should a person have to survive in ICU nursing?

I am a very organized person, I live by schedules and "to do" lists (what am I supposed to be doing this second? What will I do for the next 5 minutes, and the 5 after that? then what?). I recognize that the ICU has to be very organized because of the critical care, and I think that would fit my (erm, obsessive) love of organization. However, I also realize that emergencies follow no schedules, and I can't go reeling off because, oh my God, my schedule is off now!!! Gotta keep it together and roll with the punches- now that's a skill I'd like to become a lot better at!

Thanks for your help :nurse:

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Specializes in ED, TICU, Burns, Medical/ Cardiac.

Hi Jackie, By the sounds of it, you have the right stuff! Being organised and time management are very important The thing is you'll know within the first few days whether you like it or not. It's not for the feint hearted, and that's what seperates us from the rest!!

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

one thing that is guaranteed is that however you think your day is going to is...IT WILL NOT!! the sooner you come to terms with that fact, the better off you'll be. granted, some days are quite boring and "routine" but don't get use to that. As far as personalities, my unit has an array, some of which you would never think would make a good ICU nurse(a few don't) so there isn't a good answer for that!

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Specializes in CVICU.

Type A... you'll find a lot of us :)

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Specializes in CVICU, CCU, MICU, SICU, Transplant.
Type A... you'll find a lot of us :)

Wouldn't have it any other way.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I think the type that does best is one that is basically organized but can fly by the seat of her pants at a moment's notice. You simply have to be able to shift gears without batting an eye or skipping a beat.

I think a lot of it depends upon the type of facility that you'll be working in. Fast-paced big teaching hospitals will have you hopping a lot more than smaller critical care units. Whole different world. Not saying the smaller units can't get busy, of course, but it really is quite different.

I've worked in big teaching hospitals for many years with occasional per-diem forays into hospitals with smaller units. Huge difference in pace, expectations. And when the patients deteriorate to a level beyond the skill level of those little ICU's they ship them out. So the kind of person who might be a fit for a lower-level ICU where they have to deal with just an attending might be floored by a faster-paced madhouse ICU in a big teaching hospital. Sometimes it has nothing to do with organization or skill sets. Sometimes it boils down to confronting incompetent residents and having the cojones to say "NO." So many things to deal with in critical care, above and beyond the complicated patients themselves.

Personalities? All kinds in ICU. After all these years I don't write anyone off until they've handed in their resignation or their request for transfer.

I have to agree with others here, though, and say a Type A is probably best suited for ICU.

:::WAVING::: :D

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