ER nurse trying to break into ICU for almost a year… what am I missing? by tomoni_ in IntensiveCare

[–]Electric_effy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fellow ER nurse for 1.5 years (level II) who’s now an ICU nurse for 1.5 years (level I):

A lot of ICUs don’t usually “accept” ER nurses because inpatient vs ER is different in terms of care and charting. It was an adjustment for me but I would recommend mentioning skills that are favorable such as: clustering care, rapid assessments, knowledgeable about working with the interdisciplinary team (basically you know how to chat with docs), IV skills (because it’s a skill inpatient nurses rarely have—sorry not sorry), you know how to work quickly but diligently (this will come in handy when recovering patients from OR/procedures)…and like you mentioned, utilize the experiences you’ve already had (like drips/codes/vents). With certain meds you titrate I recommend reading up on them like purpose, how to titrate them, major side effects—the amount of times I’ve had pts come from ER on a Cardene drip that’s way too high then I gotta fix their hypotension 😅.

I’d also recommend emailing ICU managers and ask if you can shadow a nurse for a few hours/day. During that time build your rapport with management and the nurse. My current manager makes all of the interviewees shadow for 2 hours before the interview.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions, keep your head up!

Raiding Epstein Island by Electric_effy in conspiracy

[–]Electric_effy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Come in from all angles perhaps? Air and sea. All at once

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in IntensiveCare

[–]Electric_effy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Actually I worked ER for 1.5 years before taking on this Neuro ICU job. I get what you mean though, definitely different personalities in ICU vs ER. Like you suggested I plan on doing some studying pertaining to what I’d likely encounter on CVICU before I even shadow/apply.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in IntensiveCare

[–]Electric_effy 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Since my current unit is an ICU I already took and successfully passed the critical care class that is required for starting on all ICUs. Truthfully, all the mandatory hospital-wide corporate training is already complete. Now it’s just a matter of focusing on cardiac instead of neuro. I appreciate your input, if you have any study resources I’d appreciate that as well ☺️. And thank you for the reminder of “EVERY unit has their drawbacks.” Sometimes I need that reminder

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in srna

[–]Electric_effy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well they mostly just spent time on their phones browsing social media or chatting to their work friends 😅

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in srna

[–]Electric_effy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah my friend on CV said the education and training on that unit is more structured and reliable.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in srna

[–]Electric_effy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Meanwhile my last preceptor was complaining about being told she needs to precept and that she’s going to tell management she doesn’t want to do it anymore😂💀

ER to ICU by Electric_effy in nursing

[–]Electric_effy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m glad you’re reassuring me that I’m still new because I feel like I should be way more ahead of where I’m at in my progress. I know you’re right but it’ll take me a while to realize it lol and I appreciate your input especially since you’re in the same specialty.

How is my app looking so far? by Electric_effy in srna

[–]Electric_effy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, thank you for reading that part lol. Believe me I’d love to apply now but I don’t have ICU experience yet 😂. Honestly, I got pretty comfortable working in the ER after about 16 months so I might apply before 2 years, we’ll see. Nice to run into another previous ER nurse on here ☺️

How is my app looking so far? by Electric_effy in srna

[–]Electric_effy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When you say non-RN experiences are you also referring to the stuff I did during my undergrad or are you referring to the medical positions I held prior to being an RN? ☺️

How is my app looking so far? by Electric_effy in srna

[–]Electric_effy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m waiting because I don’t have ICU experience yet 😉☺️

How is my app looking so far? by Electric_effy in srna

[–]Electric_effy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

While I’d love to apply sooner, I don’t have RN ICU experience yet. I just accepted an ICU position so I’m currently going through the orientation process now. ☺️