New Grad Radio

I’ve received a few messages lately asking what I bring to work each day; or what hey should buy to prepare for their grad year. In this episode, I talk about 3 pieces of equipment that I find useful. Hope you enjoy.

The ICU can be an intimidating and stressful environment for everyone involved; especially for kids. In this episode, I talk about 3 tips I use, that help to mediate the ‘scariness’ of ICU, and help to keep the experience as positive as possible.

It’s no lie that I absolutely LOVE 12 Lead ECG’s. It’s certainly a passion of mine. In this episode, I share an experience I had of interpreting a 12 lead with a Senior Registrar; and how I appreciated his time! I found the experience super educational and rewarding. Have a great day!!!

As I’ve mentioned in a few other episodes, along with starting as a new graduate in the ICU, I’m also completing a formalised transition program as well. Whether you’re looking at going the same thing; or looking at other study such as an honour’s year; here is my perspective and experiences so far.

Just thought I’d make a quick little episode to talk about my experiences post-CPAT; with caring for a higher acuity of patients. New equipment, new procedures to follow, and certainly a higher pace. It really is like walking to running.

In 2016, I attended a workshop, hosted by TacMed Australia, before my student paramedic competition. They introduced a technique, often used in the military setting, called ‘Tactical Breathing.’ The effects for me, were almost instantaneous; and I’ve lost count of exactly how many times I’ve incorporated this technique into my practice. It’s something I use often, and strongly endorse.

For final-year Nursing students in Australia, soon you’ll be entering your final-semester of uni; and will applying for your graduate programs before you know it. For my UK friends, as I understand you’re currently competing your interviews. In this episode, I talk about my personal experiences of working in a graduate program that I love, and how that makes the world of difference starting as a nurse.

It’s Time! I’ve started to care for patients who are in need of some haemodynamic support. I talk about my experiences so far, and my mindset as a Grad.

After attending my formal graduation ceremony from university, and catching up with a few of my uni mates, we all shared our experiences from our graduate programs. It really became apparent at just how high acuity of patients I’ve been looking after. Exposed, day after day to some very sick patients. I talk through my thoughts on a subject I don’t feel is talked about enough: Compassion Fatigue, Stress & Burnout.

I have absolutely fallen in love with my graduate program, working as an Intensive Care Nurse. As student nurses begin to rotate through the unit, it has me thinking of what pieces of advice, I would have given myself, if I knew what I know now. There is just so much to learn within the ICU. I have made a TOP 6, of things I could have done, to maximise the education, learning and overall experience of my rotation through the Intensive Care Unit. I hope you enjoy.

As you know, I didn’t have a student placement in ICU. Before starting my graduate program, I had some burning questions relating to how I would determine levels of consciousness, and levels of pain, within my sedated and intubated patients. I thought I’d share what I have learned over the last 3 months, and provide some insight to how this is performed. I hope you enjoy.

Starting as a new graduate nurse, directly into the ICU, I’ve only ever known caring for one patient. Last night, I had the opportunity to care for 2 patients, at the same time. The shift has its challenges; yet on reflection, I learned so much about myself, and my abilities.

Im proud of this episode. I reflect on a difficult experience I had the other day, and I discuss what I was feeling in the moment. I compare this to a similar experience from one of my first shifts in the ICU.

I’m excited to share that I passed my formal 3-month practical test within the ICU. In this episode I discuss what was involved in the 8 hour assessment, and where I’ll be heading from here.

It’s interesting, it wasn’t until a recent education day; mixed with a few critically unwell patients, that I’ve started to notice I’m understanding more of mechanical ventilation. It all takes time!

As I approach my first practical assessment for my Graduate Program within the ICU; I reflect on how I’m coping, and how I’ve learned to cope, with the constant flood of new information. The rate of new information certainly doesn’t slow down, you just learn to keep up!

It’s a rewarding feeling to experience either a skill, or a situation, you haven’t done in a while, so you can compare just how far you’ve come. In today’s episode, I compare my first ever time taking a Handover in Post Op from Theatre (Week 2ish); to now being 10 weeks in.

I’ve received quite a few requests to talk about my experiences of competing for my uni in two student paramedic competitions. I was fortunate to have competed twice for my university; and my experiences have certainly helped to prepare me, now as an Intensive Care Nurse in my graduate Nurse. I hope you enjoy.

I take this opportunity to reflect on the last 10 weeks of the ups and downs; and talk about how so feel now, in comparison to only a few weeks ago. Im beginning to feel a lot more comfortable; feeling more apart of the team; and beginning to really develop a professional and personal routine as a new graduate nurse.

I’ve officially received the date of my first practical assessment as part of the transition program within the ICU. This assessment is the culmination of the first 3 months of my graduate year. I reflect on how I feel about this, what will be involved in the assessment, and how I will start preparing for it.