First Day as Critical Care Nurse

[alethiak]

Hi Everybody:

Tomorrow morning at 7:00am I will start my first day as a nurse in the CICU department. For the last 2 years, I've been in Home Health. I was one of the thousands of nurses unable to obtain a position after graduating from nursing school. It took me relocating to be of assistance to my parents to finally get to pursue my dream of being a critical care nurse. The hospital has a reputation for an outstanding preceptor program. However, I would like to review other materials regarding Critical Care. I know that there are many things on the market, but I would appreciate any recommendations on materials or just words of wisdom. Thank you.

[medicaltransportflorida]

They act like you are a machine. I acquire no time to accordance my patients and I ambition to cry a lot of days. I apprehension about adequate a hygienist as that was my ancient best but I was exhausted by the three year cat-and-mouse annual at the time and anybody said nursing would be better.

[jayne1975]

I really hope your first day went well! My experience with coworkers who work in critical care is that you should look into the study guides for your CCRN test. They cover the broad spectrum of care provided in the critical setting and would also help you in the future if you want to be certified.
I sincerely hope you have a great preceptor and have a great experience, take advantage of all of the time they allow you to have a preceptor. In my experience, they encourage nurses to shorten their time as a 'shadow' with another nurse so they aren't paying for two people to do the job that one would typically do alone. Make sure you're ready for the transition and ask questions. It may seem like something silly to ask, but if you don't ask, you won't learn.

If you have the opportunity, spend some time with other nurses, helping with their patients when you can. I recently precepted a student and one of the things she appreciated most was that she was able to assist other nurses with different things and would learn something new from each person that she took with her when she had completed her time with me.

Everyone has little tips and tricks they've learned from experience and being in a preceptorship with someone else is really the only time you'll have to learn them.

[schnetcj]

My name is Courtney Schnetzer, and I am currently a junior in my nursing program. I am very interested in becoming a critical care nurse after graduation. I do not know much about this aspect of nursing except for what I see in movies and on the television. We do not specifically have a clinical for this. If anyone could give me any insight on what the daily challenges/responsibilities of a critical nurse are I would really appreciate feedback. This will aid me in my decision on which path to follow. Thank you!

[nsevastyanova]

I really hope your first day went well! My experience with coworkers who work in critical care is that you should look into the study guides for your CCRN test. They cover the broad spectrum of care provided in the critical setting and would also help you in the future if you want to be certified.
I sincerely hope you have a great preceptor and have a great experience, take advantage of all of the time they allow you to have a preceptor. In my experience, they encourage nurses to shorten their time as a 'shadow' with another nurse so they aren't paying for two people to do the job that one would typically do alone. Make sure you're ready for the transition and ask questions. It may seem like something silly to ask, but if you don't ask, you won't learn.

If you have the opportunity, spend some time with other nurses, helping with their patients when you can. I recently precepted a student and one of the things she appreciated most was that she was able to assist other nurses with different things and would learn something new from each person that she took with her when she had completed her time with me.

Everyone has little tips and tricks they've learned from experience and being in a preceptorship with someone else is really the only time you'll have to learn them.

So true. When I was in nursing school and had clinical on cardiac floor I only had one patient. I learned many things from nurses I worked with by taking care of things they were doing with their other patients. Now when I get student I am really happy to let them do what they been allowed to do and learned. Hopefully, I am being good preceptor.

[usphysiciansgroup]

con graduations ! finally you achieved what you want.
while, you can get help from internet. that's easy.
good to you !

Hi Everybody:

Tomorrow morning at 7:00am I will start my first day as a nurse in the CICU department. For the last 2 years, I've been in Home Health. I was one of the thousands of nurses unable to obtain a position after graduating from nursing school. It took me relocating to be of assistance to my parents to finally get to pursue my dream of being a critical care nurse. The hospital has a reputation for an outstanding preceptor program. However, I would like to review other materials regarding Critical Care. I know that there are many things on the market, but I would appreciate any recommendations on materials or just words of wisdom. Thank you.

[honitel]

Hi Everybody:

Tomorrow morning at 7:00am I will start my first day as a nurse in the CICU department. For the last 2 years, I've been in Home Health. I was one of the thousands of nurses unable to obtain a position after graduating from nursing school. It took me relocating to be of assistance to my parents to finally get to pursue my dream of being a critical care nurse. The hospital has a reputation for an outstanding preceptor program. However, I would like to review other materials regarding Critical Care. I know that there are many things on the market, but I would appreciate any recommendations on materials or just words of wisdom. Thank you.

Critical care from the words itself, nurse must be really attentive, calm and stay focus to save one's life. Glad that you end up in doing the thing you ever desire.

[adamsusan]

Its felt nice to know about your achievement. Best of luck...

[springsong]

I think critical area is good place to work because of many things that you can learn. Everyday you encounter numerous challenges that keeps your adrenaline pumping. Critical care is the area in nursing that I worked for so long because of many things that I learned everyday until I became a clinical nurse educator. The CCRN exam provide you confidence in your everyday work and CEU's to maintain your certification. The knowledge gained from the CE's is so powerful that gives confidence when working with critically ill.

[Philly]

Hello,

A critical care nurse is a professional who deals with seriously ill patients in the intensive care unit. They do not only care for the patients, but also help doctors administer treatment and monitor the conditions of the patients.

This nurse will need special knowledge, skills, and experience to give the patient and the family's member the right treatment. The duties of a critical care nurse include caring for patients, checking and monitoring the vital signs of patients, administering appropriate medicines and helping doctors perform treatments.

Thanks & Regards..

[jamie876]

Thank you for the information you've posted philly...have you in the critical care setting?How was your experience?

[springsong]

I find critical care nursing to be a good place to learn. I’ve been a critical care nurse for 18 years. The reason that I did not go anywhere is because I love the work in ICU. You always learn something new every day. The work is not boring. With the advent of technology and medical science changes in critical care working environment are getting more challenging. You always have to educate yourself to learn something new. I encourage you to be a member of AACN it is an organization specific to ICU. You will gain many benefits to be a member because they send you ICU magazines to keep you updated of the trends and research regarding ICU care. I often go to NTI, it is one of the biggest critical care conferences of AACN and approximately more that 5,000 nurses attends the conference every year. I eventually became ICU certified is another venue that will give you confidence working in critical care setting. Good luck.

[amygarside]

I find critical care nursing to be a good place to learn. I’ve been a critical care nurse for 18 years. The reason that I did not go anywhere is because I love the work in ICU. You always learn something new every day. The work is not boring. With the advent of technology and medical science changes in critical care working environment are getting more challenging. You always have to educate yourself to learn something new. I encourage you to be a member of AACN it is an organization specific to ICU. You will gain many benefits to be a member because they send you ICU magazines to keep you updated of the trends and research regarding ICU care. I often go to NTI, it is one of the biggest critical care conferences of AACN and approximately more that 5,000 nurses attends the conference every year. I eventually became ICU certified is another venue that will give you confidence working in critical care setting. Good luck.

I agree. it would never be boring if you keep on learning and face challenges. once you're through them, you'll grow as well.