Loving ICU so far!

I can't even say how much fun I am having in ICU. I love the complexities of all the care provided to the patients, I love learning all the meds that you never see on the med surg floors. I love seeing patients who practically come back from death to life, and it's also a priviledge to be there for there final moments. There is so much to learn but I feel I would really do well there. My preceptor has been really complementary about my confidence and assessment skills. I just HOPE that the Lord will grant me a chance to get a job in a unit such as this. I plan to apply to this unit as well as CCU and the ICU step down unit. Until then, I'm enjoying my time and taking advantage of this experiance.

ICU so far

Well, I have what seems like a bit of a mess on my hands here. All last week I was attempting to get a hold of my preceptor. Everyday I called and even on the days that she was scheduled she wasn't there. I was beginning to wonder if she even actually worked there. So Saturday I went to the unit to get her schedule for this week and I was explaning my situation to another nurse. She was very kind to tell me to come in anyways and she could be with me. So I did, it turned out to be a good day, but pretty slow. I did get to go to a code blue, I got to watch assessments on a head truama case and fed a gal with severe etoh withrawl and dementia her breakfast with her pills mixed in, all while she was talking about her kitty and had her eyes rolled back in her head. You had to constatly wake her up and remind her to chew. Sad thing was she wasn't on any narcotics and her ativan was mostly worn off. I think she just has damaged her brain that exensively. My nurse was very, very nice, but I still felt a little let down that it wasn't as fast paced as I like. I like being busy, all the time. I'd rather have too much to do than not enough. Maybe I am more of an adrenalin junkie than I thought I was. I guess I have three months to find out. Meanwhile I really hope my real preceptor will call be because I'm showing up on Wednesday no matter what!

Last hurdle before preceptorship

Today I took my very last dosage calculation test. I was a ball of nerves, chest pain, GI upset and all that goes with that much anxiety. But, God was looking out for me and I was able to focus and I got a 100%. Yea!!!! We also took our ATI nclex predicter test. 180 questions in three hours. I was pleased with the results, I got an 76%, the average score was 72% ans it predicted I have a 96% of passing NCLEX on the first try. Now, I don't know if I completely trust this, but I walked away happy. Now is the real time to dig in and do the studying for the most important test of my life. AAAHH!

A new start

Well, I had a really nice break from school and thoroughly enjoyed the holidays. But, all good things come to an end and this week will start a new quarter and a new beginning of firsts. I found out I was placed in the ICU for my preceptorship and I am SOOO excited! Excited and nervous at the same time. Here are some things that I'm currently nervous about; will I pass the dosage calculation test? Will I do well in the ICU and not look completely stupid? Will I be able to study enough to pass the nclex on the first try? Will I find a job as a new resident?
Many things are up in the air, all I know is that I will take things one day at a time, and I will learn so much in these next few months. I have been waiting for this preceptorship for two years and it is finally here!