Can a New Grad Nurse Survive in the ICU?
By Anita Wong, contributor
An ICU nurse takes care of critically ill patients who are facing life-threatening conditions such as organ failure, trauma and infection. Nurses are often required to hone their skills in another specialty before working with a hospital's sickest patients, but an increasing number of new grad ICU nurses are starting in critical care right away.
The new grad debate
Patients in an ICU require constant monitoring and complex interventions, and their conditions can deteriorate in an instant. This high-pressure environment demands that nurses have solid technical skills and decision-making abilities.
It's a challenging role for new grads who are just beginning to apply their nursing skills. The complicated life-saving equipment and specialized knowledge required by critical care can be overwhelming, and the fear of making a mistake can put extra pressure on a new grad ICU nurse.
However, it's possible to successfully transition from a novice RN to a competent, professional critical care nurse. Here's what you need.
Mentors willing to teach you
An article in the Global Journal of Human-Social Science notes that a new grad ICU nurse requires "nurturing, guidance and skill building." How a hospital addresses this need makes an enormous difference to a new nurse's transition. You can flourish in the ICU if you have experienced nurses willing to invest in you.
The right mindset
ICU nurses must be meticulous with details, thrive on challenges and adapt easily to sudden changes. How well do you handle stress? If you're easily flustered or hesitant about trying new things, you may wish to build a foundation of nursing skills in another specialty, such as medical-surgical nursing, first and transition to ICU later.
If you can be steady under pressure and have confidence and determination, you've got a great head start.
Becoming an ICU nurse
Here's a typical pathway for a new grad nurse:
Easing the transition in a residency program
The best way for a new grad to build skills in critical care is with the support of a residency program. Due to nursing shortages and a lack of experienced RNs, hospitals such as John Hopkins and Mayo Clinic are taking the initiative to train newly licensed nurses in critical care.
These residencies facilitate your transition from a new grad ICU nurse to a professional through mentorship and education. Similar programs are available at other hospitals.
Tips for succeeding in the ICU
- Start your shift being organized. A daily routine (checking supplies, patient assessments) ensures you don't miss anything.
- Master the handoff report. Consider a template to organize the patient information you receive from the previous nurse.
- Review patient files to confirm information. Understanding your patient's X-rays and labs gives you a big picture so you can anticipate complications and react quickly.
- Hone your technical skills and have a firm grounding in protocols and procedures to help you respond to situations.
- Show initiative. Learn, watch, study and ask questions.
- Join professional organizations such as the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and make use of learning resources to expand your knowledge.
- Have passion for your work and patients. It may take months to feel comfortable, but persevere and remember why you're there: to make a difference.
- Take time to recharge when you're not at work so you can bring your best to the job.
What about travel nursing?
While a new grad ICU nurse can thrive supported by experienced staff, it's a little different for travel nurses who are filling a staffing gap and must hit the ground running. Many hospitals require travel ICU nurses to have one to two years of experience before venturing into an unfamiliar critical care setting.
If you're interested in working as a travel ICU nurse in the future, it's not too early to start thinking about your options. Find out what a new grad should consider when it comes to travel nursing and start planning now.