I originally started in ICU with the intent of becoming a CRNA (like many people). I ended up enjoying ICU so much I’ve never left :)
I love being able to help someone when they are in their most desperate situation. There’s no greater gratification than helping someone regain their health and having them come back later and say “thank you for saving my life”.
Of course there are also plenty of heartbreaking moments that come with the job. They’re always tough, but unfortunately it’s all part of life and I take pride in helping the family get through it as best as possible.
No doubt it’s a difficult job, but I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.
I was stepping down from a leadership position (too much BS and I missed patient care, which is why I became a nurse) and it was either case management (boring at that time in my career and age), ER, and ICU. So like someone else said, it chose me. I never wanted to work in ICU, too sad (it is sad) but I love learning so much about the human body. How we can do so much for a patient, how we have autonomy to make the decisions, respected by our physicians, especially if you have intensivists. Did I mention learning? Not kidding, I’ve learned more in ICU than nursing school. Good luck and enjoy the ride and soak it all up.
I wanted to treat the sickest of the sick patients. Those who were on the fine line of life and death. Also the autonomy such as titrations of meds assisting providers in procedures etc.
Because it chose me
I love nursing the very sick back to good health. Many of my patients are on he ventilator and need someone to advocate for them and give them good patient care. I enjoy doing so very much.
I knew I wanted to work with sick patients. I like to critically think, I love the autonomy, and I love watching progress. I originally thought I wanted to work emergency, but after getting offers for both positions, I decided on ICU because I wanted to learn the skills and how to titrate drips etc… of course all of these skills can be learned in the ED, but I really just felt drawn to ICU. Now I’m working pediatric cardiac ICU! My goal is to be able to take care of all ages in the ICU!
I love it. Controlled chaos.
