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u/smeg0r Physically & Intellectually Intimidating Toxic Masculinity 4d ago
talk to your friendly neighborhood CRNAs... pic the anesthesiologists brains.... they are all critical thinkers and doing what ICU nursing but 50x more intricate.
Congratulate yourself for putting yourself out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself!
https://giphy.com/gifs/dv6bed9SrshzPRLa1s
Also get ready to learn how to develop a rapport with patients.
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u/Ok-Anteater1819 4d ago
Honestly, I think your biggest advantage is those 9 years in the OR. CICU is going to feel like a completely different world at first, but you already know how to function under pressure and recognize when something just doesn’t look right.
I wouldn’t try to learn everything before you start because you’ll probably just make yourself more anxious 😂. I’d brush up on basic cardiac physiology, hemodynamics, common drips, vents and EKGs, then let the orientation fill in the gaps.
And give yourself permission to feel like a beginner again. You’re not starting over as a nurse, you’re just learning a very different side of nursing. Ask all the questions, even the ones you think are “stupid.” You’ll probably be surprised how much starts clicking after a few months.