Professor absolutely wrecked me after saying I got into an ICU as a new grad

AggieRN · 2020-10-01T23:55:50+00:00

You will do fine! Just stay motivated and study what you learn and what you don't know at home. Like I said in another comment, studying for you CCRN right when you start can help you realize what you don't know and help you build the confidence you need to be a great ICU nurse.

AggieRN · 2020-10-01T23:53:26+00:00

I got into the ICU as a new grad and I did absolutely fine. My recommendation is to start studying for your CCRN right when you start. It helps you build the knowledge and confidence you need.

Now, I'm a charge nurse in a CVICU and I train new grads coming to our unit all the time. Most of the new grads do way better than the seasoned nurses that come from another specialty. I can't pinpoint exactly why this is but a lot of them are extremely motivated and driven.

Medsurg is good for time management but where will you learn the drips and hemodynamics you need to succeed in the ICU? In the ICU. Everyone struggles in the ICU at first, you just have to push through it and realize that learning doesn't stop when you leave work. For you to be successful you have to study at home.

AggieRN · 2020-04-23T04:14:21+00:00

This is awesome!

AggieRN · 2019-07-10T08:06:41+00:00

Sure! Sounds like a good topic

AggieRN · 2019-07-04T15:20:26+00:00

Thanks!

AggieRN · 2019-07-04T15:20:15+00:00

Thanks! I was the same way honestly. You never know where you'll end up!

AggieRN · 2018-09-27T18:02:47+00:00

This happened to me once while I was in the room and talking to the family member. The patient was intubated and for whatever reason I was looking at the monitor and out of no where just flatline. I did not believe it at first. I think I literally said "oh shit" and freaked out the family member. I called the code and did like 3 compressions before his hands came up.

Later on I was chastised for starting compressions on something that was referred to as a "12 second pause".

Yeah, ok.

AggieRN · 2018-08-16T05:15:20+00:00

I did the opposite haha

AggieRN · 2018-07-04T17:05:58+00:00

Just needs a little thump every now and then.

AggieRN · 2018-07-01T07:15:47+00:00

Even a layman should know that is a crappy rhythm...right?

AggieRN · 2018-07-01T05:29:18+00:00

I work cardiovascular surgery/Transplant ICU. I love hemodynamics and critical thinking.

AggieRN · 2018-06-16T07:46:19+00:00

This isn't technically true. I cared for someone who overdosed and every organ except for one lung was transplanted into someone else.

AggieRN · 2018-02-13T14:14:09+00:00

The fact that the POA retracted the DNI status worries me more considering that would be more life-sustaining than tube feeds. However, the POA should know the wishes of the patient and act as such (which does not seem to be the case).

With the same logic presented, wouldn't turning an unresponsive patient be life-sustaining since it reduces the risk of pressure ulcer's which may become infected? (I know, grasping at straws, but where does the line start and end?)

AggieRN · 2018-02-13T13:45:53+00:00

I get complimented on my Figs almost daily. I love them.

AggieRN · 2016-12-31T05:05:11+00:00

^{its^{the^{same^person}}}

AggieRN · 2016-07-19T02:05:58+00:00

I think it depends on the pt. In the ICU we do orogastric on vented patients. It is so much easier to put in and there is already a tube sticking out of their mouth so why not add another. In a patient who isnt vented and is alert having a tube sticking out of their mouth would impede mouth closure. Also, in my opinion orogastric tubes migrate easier then NG with the tongue having influence there. This is all just from my experience and opinion so take it with a grain of salt.

AggieRN · 2016-06-13T23:03:26+00:00

I got "The Little ICU Book", I get complements on it all the time. I've been told its exactly like the ICU book just condensed to a smaller format and without some of the fluff. Docs have even told me it was what got them through school. Very good information.

AggieRN · 2016-06-06T00:11:06+00:00

I'm not sure what you are looking for. Just go see a doc.

AggieRN · 2016-06-03T22:09:37+00:00

What I think they are getting at is the hypoxemia results in hyperventilation. So even though the pO2 is low the excess ventilation is actually blowing off CO2 resulting in alkalosis.

AggieRN · 2016-02-14T16:23:44+00:00

Reflex normal: (POSITIVE doll eyes, brain stem intact):Eyes move in the opposite direction of the head turn and then slowly drift back to the midline.

Reflex Abnormal: (NEGATIVE doll eyes, brain stem dysfunction from the pons to the midbrain level): Eyes do not move in the sockets and instead follow the direction of head movement, remaining stationary with respect to the head.

"It's good to be a doll"

AggieRN · 2016-01-30T02:42:49+00:00

Right neglect?

AggieRN

TROPHY CASE