What is some advice for transitioning into the ICU as a nurse?

If you have not been in the unit, I strongly suggest you shadow for a few hours during the busiest time of day to make sure you know what you are getting into.

Take a critical care course. Some hospitals offer them for staff transitioning into that area as well as some of the colleges / universities offer a critical care course.

Take ACLS if you have not yet.

Purchase a critical care book and start reading.

I agree with MOST of the advice given here. Incredibly tough but enormously rewarding work environment. I want to add that if the reasons to transition include “better staffing ratios”, prepare to get your world rocked. There is nothing EASY about the ICU work load. It’s tremendous and takes time to acclimate to. To handle yourself, your patient and your shift well (constant balancing and reprioritizing) you HAVE to have a firm understanding of patho, anatomy, diagnostics, treatments, expected outcomes, and the array of complications. Anticipating the next several moves in an instant benefits the patient and the whole team. We don’t wait for directions, we act BEFORE a problem develops because we can see it coming a mile away. And mobilize into action when an acute problem arrives that couldn’t have been anticipated.

Bottom line, a completely different type of nursing than any other area. And it takes TIME to develop your skills and feel comfortable in this environment. Any decent ICU team and preceptor will remember that. But it’s true, patience wears thin quickly so give it your BEST from day 1. Treat the team and the unit with respect. Always ask “why”. Keep intellectual curiosity and always

Read “The ICU Book” by Paul L Marino.

ICU or CCU is not for the Sensitive Nurse. It is tense, usually fast paced and it takes a lot of knowledge. These nurses do not tend to mince words and they’re excellent at doing what’s needed to prevent a crisis situation. You’re dealing with the best of the best and they are incredibly skilled and smart. They are dealing with patients that are critical and tend to have no patience for nurses that can’t step up to the plate.
If you are lucky enough to be precepted by one of these nurses Keep your mouth shut, work hard, watch, listen and take in everything like a sponge. They will teach you and you will be glad they did even if you do not move forward as an ICU NURSE.

Preparation to become an ICU nurse does not happen overnight… it’s a process. A MedSurg Unit would be the place to start prior to applying to a critical unit. You will really have to understand Anatomy,how different body systems work together and lab values.

Get ready to be taken to task. ICU nurses are the best of the best and they want their colleagues to be able to perform without being told what to do. It's really something to see when we snatch a soul from the grip of the Angel of Death.

Put this quote in your toolbox so that it's readily accessible: "To be proven wrong is erroneously associated with failure when, in fact, to be proven wrong should be celebrated as it elevates a person to a new level of understanding."

You can show your genuine interest in these ways:
1. Join your local AACN.
2. Start taking Critical Care CEUs to show your interest and will help you determine if this is what you truly want to pursue.
3. Talk to the ICU NM about shadowing the staff. This will probably be on your own time and unpaid.
4. If there is a change to float to the ICU, take it.

Good luck. I am both ICU and ED trained and I loved it.

For me, I would suggest becoming MOST familiar with all aspects of ICU (ALL monitor readings, including VS, pH, etc).

It would be an excellent decision, it is all about balancing the patients acid base and fluids and electrolytes… which you all do on a daily basis… in ICU settings, but what about yourselves, do we balance ourselves, if we are balanced then we could make wise decisions for ourselves and our patients, if there are Covid 19 crisis, on and off then we know that, CDC guidelines are not being followed, most important of all, if we take care of our own dental hygiene, like brushing flossing oral mounts rinses and face washes, bath ect to keep infection off, then of course we are helping our patients in those aspects too, thereby preventing infections and other ailments. Just imagine in a code or rapid response, or during doctor’s rounds , nursing rounds and if we or our patients have lack of hygiene especially dental hygiene…so first things first plan ahead to start your day early, do the hygienic aspects for yourselves prior to leaving your homes for work…. I can challenge you all you would be the best health care professionals in the world….positivity enhances growth and productivity in a company… let us practice these daily is my humble request to you all…..

Please shadow and have clear understanding of what’s required of an ICU nurse. Observation and being proactive is of utmost importance!!!it’s fast paced and things can go wrong very fast if not paying proper attention to your patient. Never assume , always seek out your resource nurses for help. There is never a lame question. Everyday there is something to be learned. Be kind , compassionate, nonjudgmental and strong . Be your patients advocate.this will make you accomplish your transition. And also be a constructive team player! That sums up your ICU nurse.

I agree with most of the above except keeping your mouth shut. Listening yes, is very important but so is asking questions and being inquisitive is how you learn. Even the smartest well seasoned nurse doesn't know everything and recognizes you can teach and learn as a preceptor.

Ask questions! Take classes offered by your hospital! I was among the first sent off to learn how to care for Open Hearts. Never guess...if unsure..ASK! Its a whole different world! But I loved it for 15 years and then became head of IV team. SICU will always be my favorite! Good luck!
Ann

Ask questions! Take classes offered by your hospital! I was among the first sent off to learn how to care for Open Hearts. Never guess...if unsure..ASK! Its a whole different world! But I loved it for 15 years and then became head of IV team. SICU will always be my favorite! Good luck!
Ann

Learn from your preceptor. Attend any classes or in-service offered. Ask questions when unsure. That's a start.....

Don't.

Not an answer.... just sharing this a great question and one I appreciate. I have worked in PCCU but have always been leery of transitioning to that next level for fear of being inadequate. I appreciate all these answers as well!

How long is an appropriate preceptorship in CCU would you say?

First of all if you working in the ICU or critical Care unit you have to know your basic nursing cold. If you don't know your basic nursing ABC's basic nursing including lab values normal and abnormal lab values then I would recommend going into the icuccu or trauma areas at this time. It's also recommended to take critical Care courses ACLs bcls trauma nurse specialist as well as critical Care Nursing course to prepare for the ICU. Afterwards, it's just a matter of getting your feet wet your hands dirty getting up there and doing it and saving lives good luck.