Nothing worst than a demonic charge nurse and staff🤦🏾‍♀️ But look at you now, flourishing in your career. Moral of the story, never let miserable people hold you back 🙌🏾

First saw this as a second semester nursing student, watching again as a new grad in the ICU, and it’s hitting different this time lol

Personally, I feel that going directly from nursing school to an ICU is extremely difficult and dangerous for the new nurse and the patient. Standing orders don’t necessarily cover critical issues so I ALWAYS call and couldn’t care less if doctors get upset. I am happy that you succeeded and don’t feel bad because so many nurses are just evil bullies. Toxic nurses, I don’t tolerate. Period. Good Luck

Thank you for talking about this! I’ve been a new grad ICU at a small community hospital and I have resonated with a lot of the things you’ve said! It makes me feel less alone!

New grad starting on an icu here. I've been on my own since the new year.. so almost 4 months and still look at the schedule to see who I will be working with to mentally prepare myself for the different levels of help I get depending on who is working along side of me lol. There's still so much I learn just about every shift I work... I thought working nights would be easier since everyone on days said "they dont do anything on nights". I got a rude awakening cause when SHTF on nights it hits harder than on days because there's less help overall.

I did 9 months in med-surg then transitioned to a broad ICU at a community hospital. That feeling you described of an elephant on your chest is the phrase I have been looking for!! The amount of anxiety I get the day of is so crazy to the point my boyfriend told me I need to seriously think about a different specialty. It has helped me realized that med surg is not that bad! Very easy compared to ICU. But I am learning a lot and trying to still hang in there for a year. I have no plans to attend CRNA school...I actually Want to become a Psych NP lol but I felt that it would help me. Love watching your channel and IG vids. Thank you for your transparency.

I’m only one month into a med-surg residency and yes, that one charge nurse! I hate when people purposely exclude me or make me feel like I’m a bother.

In my 8th month as a new grad in a medical ICU and totally feeling the “targeted” feeling. Thanks for sharing and need to work on the culture of bringing up new nurses vs bringing them down! It’s a common issue and there is no place for it.

I'm not even a new grad. Been a floor nurse for 2 years and I was a medic for years before that. The ICU is still taking a ton out of me as I orient, especially with COVID looming over my shoulder. Bad preceptors and a bad unit culture can tank your attitude.

Thank you for tips! I'm currently working at the MICU (just started since late june) ... but as a Student Nurse 🙃 love helping the staff and patients. Until next year I graduate! I plan to take on the role by working in that floor. Thank you Bolt!

This video is speaking to me. I started in the ER and encountered all the issues you just went through and more. I ended up leaving and now have a new opportunity in med-surg.

I appreciate you talking about the social environment that exists in the hospital sometimes. I have experienced people/nurses being rude or perpetuating social hierarchy and I hate it!

Thank you for sharing this. I know I found it at a difficult point in my new career, started in ICU, in the notorious “mean girl” unit…and unfortunately the rumors were true. I’ve spent entirely too much energy into navigating personalities and not being trained well… “you’re doing great!” for 12 weeks didn’t help when I got on my own. New computer system right as I came off orientation too, and now we’ve lost all our snap nurses. Going to nights after 6mo on days, for an incentive program. Don’t know what to expect on the other side. Again, thank you so much for sharing!

Thank you for posting this! I'm starting my final clinical practicum in a mixed MICU/CICU in a level II center. It is nice to see a perspective of someone with your type of experience and story.

Felt this - especially the bad apples thing lol; every description was too real !! Earned a subbie

I commented a whike back on your other video saying I was thinking about going into the ICU. And well... I did ! It's been the hardest experience. I'm 4 weeks in and I feel like I'm not picking it up as fast as I should. And my time management is just awful. Im actively working on it but as you know in the ICU things can change so quickly with patients and next thing you know you are drowning I'm trying to hang in there...but I feel so awful all the time. A year seems like such a long time to stick it out. Thank you for sharing your experience

I took a different route but one that I would not change. I went from a telemetry floor, to stepdown, to ICU, and found it to be a very "easy" transition to ICU. My stepdown unit was in the same physical space as CVICU and I got permission from my director to come in extra shifts and learn basics of taking care of vent/ICU pts so I could take the less critical pts when that would be helpful staffing-wise. During every covid wave I ended up floating to the ICUs constantly and got thrown into the deep end and eventually learned how to take care of anyone as long as they didn't need a balloon pump or something unusual like that. Also our "stepdown" took much more critical pts than what they take in most hospitals. We could basically have any pt that wasn't on a vent or pressors. We did every other type of drip -- Cardene, amio, Precedex, etc.. I feel really glad that I went this route because I eventually became the clinical coordinator on nights of stepdown (different hospitals have different names for that title - but basically I was always charge nurse and made the schedules etc., so I learned how to deal with admin, house supervisors, all the different units, etc..). Then I just moved to MSICU a few months ago and only did 3 weeks "orientation" and didn't have to go beyond that cause I already knew how to do pretty much everything. I have 5 years experience overall and I feel really solid. MY stressful period was being on the telemetry floor, ending up having to be charge all the time with like 1-2 years of experience on that floor with 24 beds, phones ringing non step, constantly moving pts, etc.. Learning to have 6+ pts, then later 3-4, and now 1-2 it feels like a luxury (as long as we aren't all tripled with COVID pts -- THAT is hell, but thats a whole 'nother conversation). I feel like some the people that started in ICU freak out more easily when the work load gets ridiculous cause they've never had to deal with 6 or more pts at once.

I started as a new grad in the ICU during COVID. I am having a similar experience to yours. I had three months of orientation on the day shift and then I got sent to night shift and oof its rough. I am the most experienced nurse on my shift and I have 10 months' experience. I am now the charge nurse, we are minimally staffed and I feel constantly overwhelmed by simple things like you said just titrating the neo up when you give Lasix. All the time I think about situations later and go oh duh that would have made sense. I feel like the world's worst nurse and honestly am thinking about leaving the ICU. Hearing your story has given me hope though.

Hey Bolt! I know this video is 2 years old but it resonated with me so much. I went straight from nursing school to the ICU as well. A level 1 trauma center in an MSICU. I had 9 patients die in the first 2 months of working (mostly comfort cares). I genuinely thought I was the grim reaper. I also had a fairy unsupportive staff on nights as well. I remember sitting in my car before my shift and trying to get myself pumped up just to complete my shift! The anxiety was HEAVY. I don’t think there is anything that can truly prepare you for that first year out of school. What a transition it is. I’ve not been a nurse for almost 7 years. The anxiety is still there some days, but I know I can handle things night. That nurses intuition is real. I am thinking of going to CRNA school. Would love to talk to you about where I am and see if you think it’s a good fit! Keep up the videos man. They are awesome!

I just graduated and I'm definitely slated for my first job in a high acuity ICU at a Level 1 trauma center. Im super excited about it but also don't want to be completely clueless what I'm going into. The part where you mentioned what the doctor expected of you with the Neo is what I was watching videos about. Learning autonomy is completely new for me. Man what a great vlog. Thank you for sharing!

Im a new grad lpn (july grad) and i decided to start my nursing career in an intermediate critical care unit. It's been a hard 2 months but i work with some amazing nurses who dont mind helping me understand the who, what, when, where and how. So, glad I started here!

I graduate in May and just accepted a nurse residency position in a medical/surgical ICU that starts in June. Luckily this unit has an NP or PA on the unit all night. That will be an awesome resource to have as a new grad! I'm super nervous about starting in the ICU as a new grad but I'm confident that with time I will learn.

coming back to this. It’s helpful to be reminded even the most competent individuals struggled at one point. I’m almost 12 weeks into my orientation as a new grad in the CTICU. the transition from student to ICU nurse has been the most difficult thing i’ve ever done. it’s been taking a toll on me; being new in the icu you have to expedite your learning of basic nursing skills so that you can learn the skills that the icu requires. but the journey continues regardless, one day at a time. seeing your latest video is inspiring though!

Love the story and commitment, you knew it was a hard tasks but you push thru and nailed it man, yes!!!

Keep up with the great content! 💪🏽

I am starting off as a new grad in ICU this June 1st! I am so excited, thanks for this video, I really appreciate you sharing!

Today was rough. I’m accelerated program UT Health San Antonio,Tx. Hem/oc rotation hate seeing little ones sick. Some know what’s going on and some don’t. That’s the worst feeling but we are trying to help them and that’s what keeps me going

Crazy ,unbelievable stuff happens on night shift. I spent only a few shifts in ICU. I started on a med surg/ortho floor 3 to 11. Yes in those days we worked 8 hrs. I was a charge nurse most of time. But when I first started I was a float nurse. I got sent to ICU. I learned so much about difficult Iv starts, more chest tubes than I saw in nursing school but I had a wonderful nurse(Judy) who guided me through the hurdles. 1 week in ICU taught me more stuff than I can think about. 4 months later I was transferred to my normal floor. In a year I was a charge nurse. Everything happened at 11 pm when I was suppose to give report. Went to ER for a few days to help. Met my hubby (broken Thumb). Life as a nurse is chaotic.

I’m a brand new grad in the ICU. And I am having the worst time, I still feel excited to start in the ICU but it is definitely taking a toll on me, and I have to move to nights in about a week. Wish me luck bolt it’s gonna be a rough one

I’m an old retired nurse. Yes one of those who gave up their chair for a dr or resident. But I was also lucky enough to be autonomous as a clinical coordinator on an in pt ortho/neuro unit at a trauma center. By that time I knew all the docs and they were great at letting me write orders because they trusted me and my assessments. Good for you and where you are at in your career. I was in it for 38 years. Loved it all! Except the bad apples who were just mean. I would let you take care of me anytime. You have a great head on your shoulders Just don’t let all the machines and drips and labs and meds ever get in the way of truly “ caring” for your patients and their families. a hand to hold goes a long way and may even drop their blood pressure. You are all they have. Glad I stumbled across your video.

Great video, i loved. Im an er nurse. I wk pacu now full time but still do er for ot. Wking nights. Over 20 yrs. Trying to grt on days. I was dying and laughing my ass off when you said at night no ones there. So true. My er where i wk nurses have alot of autonomy we titrate meds start them on multiple drips. Sometimes the pt is stuck in er for over 24 hrs waiting for icu bed. And its so true sometimes the chg nurse dont like u for whtever reason which can make life so much harder.

Thank you for your honesty. It’s so good to hear from others and know you’re not the only one struggling haha.

Thanks for this. ICU is my dream when I graduate.

I’m so sorry those people on your unit were mean. I’m glad you’re doing well now.

I feel like that now recent transfer from OR to icu and I’ve never felt more dumb in my life . I’m not adjusting to nights well and when I’m off I’m too tired to study takes to days to recover , management is constantly grilling me telling me I have a knowledge deficit but this is all new to me and I’m trying . Hopefully I can one day make it to crna school because right now it feels like hell . I’m also starting to feel depressed

Nervous to start working in the icu. Hoping since I have a student nurse externship in the icu this summer, and hopefully start working as a tech straight afterwards since I still have two semesters of nursing school will make things much easier for me!!

Omg I have been there dude this video was so good I’m subscribing to your channel!!! Today was day 3 of orientation for MICU position. I’m to a new nurse hired as a MICU nurse and as well plan to go to crna school. Do you have a video of your experience in CRNA school?

The ICU you worked in sounds exactly like the unit I work in!

I like this video you should do more about icu nursing!

I start my ICU Residency as a new grad in 2 weeks :))))))

Good video, thank you!

honestly speak up if someone has an issue with you. it can be a learning opportunity if you're doing something wrong and it's always better to clear the air. i would hate to be in emergency situations and not be able to depend on others on the unit to work as a team to do what's best for the patients bc of an awkward work environment that one person in leadership is causing

More "Type A" personalities are on day, easier for you to fit in. Nights have fewer staff and a new "Type A" personality tends to shake things up, lots of questions from you, wanting to know all the why's, puts people on edge when they themselves maybe aren't as confident as they seem.

10:25 Very common. Every company has those types of folks. Usually women who are very emotional and lack logic or good thinking skills. You could have cut your eyes the wrong way at the woman without knowing due to being tired or mind focused on something else, and she holds a grudge.

My preceptorship placement is in the ICU, it was not at all one of my three choices but it is what it is. It’s only two months and although I never even thought about working in the ICU (been an LPN for 4 years) I’m keeping an open mind!

What stresses me out was that at only 1 month on an ICU that you didn’t have a preceptor to tell you to increase the pressors. 😬

Hi thanks for sharing 2nd day , grad nurse in ICU. Feel lost.

I feel I became a new nurse in a time of COVID and everything is rough I work in a step down unit next to ICU so we get some of those patients but the worse part is the patient to nurse ratio that’s taking a toll right now

I’m just getting started with nursing classes. Was hoping to become a CRNA but with the doctorate requirement in 2025 I will not be heading that way 😢 you have a calming voice.. great video.

I started off in the a step down icu because I was scared to go start into icu but I wish I had.

first semester nursing student and just started as a student nurse in micu unit

I'm a new nurse in the ICU, in a small community hospital that runs very much the same way as you described. I've had such a hard time, to the point where I questioned my intelligence. I was so anxious every day for about 5 months and even sometimes on my days off. I am 6 months in now and things feel a little easier, but i still often feel like I don't know what I'm doing. I hope to gain enough experience to apply for CRNA school one day, so I just have to keep working hard and try to really expand my knowledge and critical thinking on the job. It's comforting to hear someone say they've felt this way and now you are a CRNA! No I know I can make it too!

Awesome intro effects

I am getting some push back from the new ICU director at my hospital about transferring me from a med surg floor after a year because they had “issues with new grads last year.” Though I am still a brand new nurse, a year has created a lot of growth in nursing skills and an overall comfort in being a nurse. I finally feel I’m over that new nurse anxiety. I know a lot of hospitals hire new grads, so it’s frustrating to me that even with a year of med surg experience that I’m still not qualified. This has all been talk between my manager and him so this week I’m going to go have a visit with him to at least convince him to interview me. What advice could you give me before I go see him? Also I really enjoy your videos!! CRNA is the goal!

I’ve been an LPN for about 3 years. I have about 3 months left on my RN, and I can’t wait. I have been working in SNF’s since I graduated, and it has mostly been a nightmare. My clinicals on med-surg at the hospital seem like easy assignments by comparison. You also end up working with some of the most unhappy and uncooperative nurses and aides in the SNF environment. I look forward to broadening my horizons and decreasing my patient load as an RN.

They used to not take new grads into the specialty units for a reason.

That shirt is on point!

Thank you for the helpful vid! I am not sure if you would read my comment because it was 3 years ago. Making a decision in the ICU as a new grad sounds really scary and stressful. Which unit would you recommend to a new grad nurse personally before becoming an ICU nurse in a year?

Bolt, back in the days did you use any apps to help you with your pharmacology skills? Do you have a video about it? thank you.

What did you do before you became a nurse? I’m wondering if you were in the healthcare field before nursing school cause I am. Oh, and how did you first hear about CRNA? Do you have a video about that and how you became interested in it?

Are family members allowed to stay in the ICU

how did you land a job in icu as a new grad?

Interesting to hear that you had a rough time with a charge nurse seemingly for no reason. Currently dealing with something similar in my role as an RN. Any advice? I try to just ignore it and do my job as well as possible and be a good nurse.

Which was easier being a new grad icu nurse or new grad CRNA ?

What level was the hospital where you worked in the icu? My local is a roughly 12 bed ICU. Level 4 facility I believe. Was wondering if that’s comparable to the one you worked at.

Just done my 1st day in icu.. 😊

Thanks for this content Bolt! Did you have a preceptorship or externship in school? At my school we do a 120hr preceptorship- 10 12hr shifts with a dedicated nurse preceptor.

EVERYBODY has a first day, remember that folks! Ya'll will do great :)

I was a ICU new grad at the ripe age of 33 I would say the first year was pretty brutal. I am lucky to work in a Level 3 regional Medical Center with CV and Neuro Surgery services as well as Intensivist MD am coverage with ICU APN with hospitalist attending pm coverage. This gives great access to critical orders when you need them and the ability to have a resource to boost critical thinking. One of the APNs purposely asks me what I think the next step would be and is very encouraging that way. Right at my year mark we moved from a 32 to 45 bed brand new wing. And after my initial 9 months I started taking fresh post-op CABG pts, as well as started rounding part-time as a Medical Emergency Team nurse on select shifts. Those experiences continue to help me grow my assessment skills and autonomy with a lot of standing orders for intervention and direct access to residents and hospitalists.. I get to work closely with the hospitalist attending to escalate care when needed and be at all rapids and codes with this role. I am currently finishing my BSN and am looking to apply to CRNA school next summer. Your channel has been a great resource and inspiration since beginning my nursing education and career. I feel lucky to work in this environment and think that a hospital with a strong culture can accept new grads confidently. I precepted 6 weeks on days and 6 weeks on nights. Did eight weeks of CABG precepting. All the APNs were “raised” in this ICU as well.

When you go from being a paramedic to an RN, it’s night and day. As a paramedic, most of our standing orders aka protocol do not require us to contact a physician to administer meds or treatment unless the standing orders stipulates this. When I worked in the ER, most of the time an RN needs to ask permission from the physician to administer any meds. The exceptions are if they have standing orders or they have a good relationship with the physician and they trust the RN’s assessment. The bottomline is that most of the time RNs do not have near the degree of autonomy that a paramedic does from my experience. However, as a CRNA this seems to be different. CRNAs have much more autonomy than an AA.

Nurses eat their young is really true.

I’m nine months away from graduating nursing school and just interviewed for a CNA position at a level 1 SICU. The manager basically said that being there as a CNA would prepare to deal with different situations and once I graduate I’ll be ready to take on the floor! What do you all think? Anyone with CNA experience in ICU prior to graduating? I’m excited yet scared! Things are happening too fast! 😅😅

Nice intro

We had standing orders. 99% boring 1% crazy town.

The doctors *face palm

You think I can get into ICU as a new ADN grad while I work on my BSN?

@7:30 💡 goes off noob

I would love to have you as a nurse. Just looking into your eyes would have me fully recovered.

I'm a very old critical care nurse (retired) and I believe no new nurse should start in a critical care unit until vetted on a med-surg unit first.

The ICU is not a place for the new grad! You are waaaaay over your head there. There is a definite reason why new nurses used to be started out in Med/Surg. This is a very dangerous practice to put a brand new nurse with zero experience to work in the ICU. Dangerous for the ICU patient and dangerous for thr new nurse. Great way to lose your license.

Being a male nurse, I had to be extra careful because some these female nurses LIE! Sorry ladies but it’s true, I honestly stay away from females in any form of professional setting, it doesn’t just have to be in the clinical setting, if communication isn’t about getting the Job done, I mind my own. BUT, all I had to do was pull the ring leader aside and set them straight on the spot, in a way that rattled the individual enough to leave me alone. At the time I’d just gotten out of the military so I put that bravado & persona to good use, it only took me 5 minutes to set the tone & give me one of the single most peaceful years in nursing I’ve ever had before I applied to CRNA school. After that short confrontation, the only issues I had to deal with were work related. Funny how easy a job can be when you make your attentions clear. You don’t have to be combative, but you have to be assertive.

Algorithm comment😄