What to do??

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Hi, I'm a seasoned med/surg nurse for 10 years. Switched to icu over a year ago and still feel lost. The hospital I'm at is small so we don't get alot if critical pts but when we do I panic. I feel like maybe I'm getting too old to learn or maybe I'm just not a critical care nurse. I don't want to go back to med surg because I'm not getting any younger, I'm looking for something I can keep doing as I get older, especially being I'll prob have to work til I'm 70 yrs old! Any advice?

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I worked in different ICU when I did agency nursing for some years and have seen everything from small non acute ICU to Critical Care with everybody intubated/sedated/vented/ machines hooked up and so on. There is a huge difference between those settings because if you work in a low acuity small hospital ICU you are simply not getting enough severe cases to develop good critical care skills and routine! If most of the patients are extubated, get meal trays and so on of course you will be more challenged with a patient who is truly critical. A lot is really routine.

If you are looking for something else - how about some areas like endoscopy, PACU or such? I also worked in acute dialysis and loved it but the on call part was not sustainable.

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I also thought about going to nights, I do days and it is busier with some procedures, which I panic when I have to assist with one. I just hate to go back to night shift because I did nights for 6 years.

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I also thought about going to nights, I do days and it is busier with some procedures, which I panic when I have to assist with one. I just hate to go back to night shift because I did nights for 6 years.

I really wonder if this is just not the right area for you. What kind of procedures? just line insertion or bronchoscopies? those are all things you get more comfortable as you go along but if you are not comfortable after one year perhaps that is just not for you.

What about low acuity settings? or take a shot in case management ?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I'm looking for something I can keep doing as I get older, especially being I'll prob have to work til I'm 70 yrs old! Any advice?
I recently left a 10-year career at the bedside because I was hired by a major insurance company as a case management RN. I have no CM experience and the company is training me.

Apply at large insurance companies (Humana, Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, United Healthcare) and see what happens. Good luck to you.

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How do you like CM so far?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
How do you like CM so far?
I don't know yet, but I think I will like it better than the bedside. I only started the position a few weeks ago and am still in the on-the-job training phase.
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Keep me informed! :)

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Sounds like changing jobs appeals to you. But until then......I think your reaction of panic seems perfectly normal to me.

I have always floated a lot so still, after 30 years of nursing, when asked to float to an area I may work in once every few months I feel a little panicky inside. I would't be surprised if many of your co-workers and even the Dr's. feel the same way.

I find You Tube to be a wonderful resource. You can find anything on the Internet. You Tube videos of intubation, central line insertions, Swan Ganz catheter set up, art lines, etc. (Not that I do those critical care things anymore, I'm just mentioning some of things you might occasionally encounter in critical care.) You can watch in the relaxed comfort of your own home.

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Yes, I think that could be it, I don't do it enough to feel comfortable doing it.

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