The Heart of ICU Nursing
Caring for life, one breath at a time
ICU Nurse Duties
ICU nurses are the ones who take care of critically ill patients 24 hours a day, very closely.
Because the patients here are "unstable" and "changeable every minute".
The main duties are:
Closely monitor vital signs (BP, HR, RR, T, SpO₂)
Take care of breathing, such as intubation, ventilator
Give medication and saline according to the treatment plan (many are special controlled drugs)
Assess symptoms at every stage and report immediately if anything changes
Prevent complications such as lung infections, pressure sores, and bleeding
Take care of nutrition (feeding through a tube/blood vessel)
Help take care of the mental state of the patient and family
Work with a team of doctors, pharmacists, and physical therapists on the sidelines
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Knowledge that ICU nurses must have
Basic in-depth assessment of vital signs
Knowledge of equipment such as ventilators, monitors, infusion pumps
Basic EKG reading (no need to be an expert, but must be able to do it)
Calculation of drugs to accelerate/pressure drugs (inotropes, vasopressors)
Care of central lines/arterial lines
Nursing patients using cardiac support machines (IABP, ECMO)
Communication with the team in stressful situations
Basics of Infection Control in ICU
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Checklist for Beginners to Prepare for the ICU
Must-Have
Multi-colored pens (black, red, blue)
Small notebook to record EKG, medicine, and patient flow
Wristwatch with a second hand
Scissors for cutting tape/adhesive tape
Alcohol swab or hand sanitizer
Small flashlight (check eye reaction)
Comfortable shoes, easy to run
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Things to review before going on shift
ABC assessment (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)
Basic EKG reading (e.g. ST elevation, simple arrhythmia)
Types of cardiac stimulants / antihypertensive drugs and side effects
How to set up a basic ventilator
Steps to insert and care for feeding tubes (NG/OG tube)
Sending cases and communicating using SBAR
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Prepare yourself
Be ready to deal with patients who can change their symptoms every minute
Stay calm, don't Panic even when vital signs are down
Open your mind to learn from seniors and medical team
Dare to ask when you are not sure because ICU is not a place to guess
Remember that every day in ICU = invaluable experience
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Motivational quote
Take a deep breath before entering a difficult case
Take accurate vital signs, it is the patient's life
We are not alone in ICU, seniors and friends are always ready to help
"Critical patient" does not mean hopeless-but it is an opportunity for us to help them
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P.S. If you are discouraged in ICU... try looking at the patients who have woken up again. You will know how "meaningful" what we did is
About the Creator
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Comments (3)
meaningful article and thanks for share
Thanks for spreading the word about the hard working ICU nurses! I really admire them, it's a job I couldn't do.
Nice