New Grad Radio

Within the ICU, not all of our patients meet vital sign parameters that we were taught as ‘normal’ at uni. In today’s episode, I share a few of the examples that I’ve personally had; and share the strategies in place to ensure you’re delivering the highest quality of care to your patient. Whether you work in ICU, or ANY other area of nursing, this is certainly applicable. Have a great day!

Pushing day after day, receiving some sick patients; along with completing my second transition assignment is certainly challenging, and a bit tiring. Yet, when I reflect on just how lucky I am to start in ICU, it keeps me energised to keep pushing exceptionally hard. In today’s episode, I talk about some of the reason I absolutely love working in ICU.

The ICU can be a fairly lonely space. It certainly cannot be fun from the patients perspective. So, where possible, I try to incorporate some ‘fun’ activities to brighten up their days, and reduce the need to administer various medications for pain, or to sleep. In today’s episode, I share some techniques that I frequently use, that I’ve found to be helpful.

Recently, a brilliant nurse within the ICU provided me with a helpful tip to increase my time management. And boy, has it been working!!! Who knows, it may work for you as well.

Every so often I come across a patient that makes me stop in my tracks, smile, and reflect on just how far I’ve progressed within such a short period of time. In today’s episode, I talk about an experience I had on one of my very first days, and compare to what I had a few shifts ago.

Nearing the 9 month mark for my Graduate Program in ICU, I describe the two major Assessments approaching very shortly, and how I’ve been preparing.

As they say, the skin is the largest organ in the body, and boy, is there a lot of it. In this episode, I talk about a topic I have struggled to develop over the last 9 months, that being, performing a systemic skin assessment of the patient. At first, I found it quite confronting, to expose a naked person, and look under every nook and cranny. But as you’ll hear, the importance of doing so can have a significant impact on a patients stay in ICU.

Simulation can be an incredibly useful tool to improving your techniques and skills as a nurse. In this episode I talk about two of the presentations during the Australian Tactical Medicine Conference; and how simulation has shaped me, both during uni, and now as a graduate Registered Nurse.

Recently I attended the Australian Tactical Medical Association’s Tactical Medicine Conference, held in Brisbane. It was an incredible experience, whereby I got to hear from leaders in their field, presenting on some cutting-edge research; as well as being able to network with industry professionals. This will be the first episode of a few topics, that I’ll attempt to make transferable to anyone listening.

I made this episode on a walk to work, ready to tackle another string of night shifts. I chat about how I deal with the pressure of my graduate and transition programs, and how each passing day brings new challenges and learning experiences. Have a great day everyone!

It’s certainly a tough question. When a family member looks at you, and asks how long you’ve been nursing, it’s quite easy to take it personally. In this episode I share some insight to how I’ve responded to this question, and provide some tools that I’ve used.

In my final semester of uni, a significant emphasis was on reflection. One example, was of a positive mentor/role model from placement, and what they did to make you feel that way/take away. In this episode, I share my own personal experience from one of my favourite mentors; and link it back to my experiences so far in ICU.

*I’ve recently remade this episode* Over the last 8 months, I’ve rarely ventured outside the ICU. In this episode, I share an experience of transporting my patient from ICU to the Operating Theatre.

It’s been 8 months since I started my graduate program in ICU. In this short episode, I share an analogy of what it’s been like, relaying it back to something we may all understand, regardless of background or experience. I have a tonne of content coming your way in the near future. Hope you enjoy

There are a lot of pieces of equipment we use in the ICU to collect, what is often, second-by-second information/data. In this episode, I provide an insight to each of these; as well as share a story I has the other day, of a sick patient, who did not have all of the machinery/data I have been reliant on over the past 8 months. It is a true example of why it is important to hone your assessment skills and use your clinical judgement.

I personally believe the ability to thrive during your graduate year is all about perspective. In this episode, I unpack why I believe resubmitting my transition assignment was one of the best learning opportunities; and how I believe it will help going into the future.

I can’t remember a day, over the entirety of the past 7-months, where I haven’t learned, or performed something new during a shift. With the variety of patients I see, mixed with the different points I’ve cared for them during their stay, there are constant learning opportunities. In this episode, I specifically detail what I’ve leaned, and experienced, over the past week of shifts.

The acuity of patients I’ve been caring for in the ICU is very high, and as a result, unfortunately, despite the highest quality of care provided, some patients die. In this episode, I talk about my experiences of death in the ICU, and explain how I feel, and how I handle the situation.

The transition from uni, to now starting as an ICU nurse, consists of a lot more than simply that of student to nurse. I’ve had to develop routines for my exercise, diet, and sleep, in the context of shift work. In this episode, I share what has worked for me, and provide some insight of how I came to develop these practices.

In today’s episode, I run through a recent experience I had managing a patient who was deteriorating very early into my shift. I’ve started to care for patients who are a lot sooner into their within the ICU; in today’s case, only 4 hours, meaning a lot can occur. I breakdown not only what happened; but more importantly, I share how this particular experience was a culmination of a lot of what I’ve learned to date.