Things I've learned being an ICU Nurse

2 posts in 1 day, I didn't think it could be done, but as Abby is upstairs sleeping (another ear infection)I have been thinking about all the things that I have learned while being an ICU nurse. In just a few short weeks or maybe 2 months (depends when all my credentialing comes through for me to start as an FNP in the clinic) I will be leaving my job as an RN in the Medical ICU. I first started as a brand new RN in a Coronary ICU. Talk about shock. I had never been in a ICU during school, had never seen a code, and had never seen someone on a ventilator to name a few things. I see these things daily now at work. My first couple months as a new RN were terrifying, thinking that if I gave a med wrong, or missed a critical lab value, or did not notice a change in a person's condition that this could be fatal for that patient. I feel confident now in my patient care and can leave work knowing that I did my best and my patient may survive another day. I have seen medical miracles and have seen people and family through the worst time of their lives. The ICU units that I have worked not only function as a team, but function as a family and help each other both in the work and person environments. All this had made me a stronger nurse. I will take all I have learned from the ICU and apply this to my new role as a Nurse Practitioner. My goal is that my knowledge and compassion will help keep patients from ever having to be admitted to an ICU.

Things I've learned being an ICU Nurse

1. There is nothing that will gross us out. I can care for a GI bleeding, c-diff pooping, pseudomonas infected  patient (I assure you this is not a pleasant smell) only to go back to the break room and stuff my face full of cookies or whatever food has been brought in that day.
2. I do not care if you puke, poop, or pee on me. I do care if you’re mean to me. Remember that I have the power to give or not give you pain medication.
3. Call lights may actually be the worst invention ever.
4. Family members that are constantly present at the patients side, who refuse to sleep, eat, and live off of coffee in fact are not doing their loved one any favors. You become mean and your judgment lacks. I will tell you to go home and sleep, because when you return after getting some rest and food not from a vending machine you are better able to be there for the patient.  I am damn good at my job, so trust me at taking superior care of your loved one.  You may hate me for telling you to go home, but you will thank me the next day when you’re more clear headed.
5. Hospice care is not a death sentence but rather a way to live out your life peacefully and respectfully.
6. Care kills. I cannot tell you how many times I have turned a patient only for them to tank their blood pressure, heart rate, or O2 sats. CODE BLUE!
7. I am an adrenaline junkie, but am also the calm in the storm.
8. NEVER tell a Cystic Fibrosis patient that their vest treatments look fun! (I actually had a Med Student say this to a Cystic Fibrosis patient).
9. I have seen medical miracles, but it is important to remember that not every patient will be that miracle.
10. Most awesome conversation between a co-worker and patient who was a prisoner (prisoner was unpleasant and arrogant). Patient, “I got this yeast in my mouth from eating too much pussy.” Nurse, “No, you did not, but you did get it from sucking too much d*@# in prison.” Patient---speechless.
11. And finally, make sure you love your job, because as an ICU nurse someone’s life is riding on you doing your best work each and every day.

Thank you to every nurse that I have worked with!

T

Jamaica and Jerk Chicken

What a wonderful past couple of weeks this has been! Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, mostly because of all the delicious food, but also as I get older I love spending time with family and getting the kiddos together. As Abby gets older it is fun to watch her play and interact with her cousins. This year Thanksgiving was a little rushed but we did make it to visit with both families before Andrew and I headed off to Jamaica for some relaxing beach time.

Jamaica was amazing, but I do not think that I would go back. I have heard that Jamaicans are friendly people, and yes if you are paying them they are nice to you. Most Jamaicans I met were on the resort and being paid to be nice and were even nicer (more Rum in my Pina Colada) if you tipped. Off the resort, they just heckle you for money, not nice, and annoying. Example: While in Negril (which is supposed to have some of the nicest beaches in the world) Andrew and I went for a walk down the beach. After 50 feet down the beach (off the private beach we were at, that does not allow non-workers on the property) we decided to turn back and return to the private beach. We were heckled way too much! No, I do not want to pay to take your jet ski out, or take a boat ride, or try your marijuana/mushrooms/or hash. I also do not care that you "farm up in the mountains" and that this what you have to do to support your children. I honestly do not know if what your saying to me is true. Another example: while snorkeling about 200 yards off the shore from a boat a guy swam out and tried to sell everyone his homemade bracelets. No, I do not want your bracelet. I used to make bracelets like that when I was 5 years old. Annoying, there were many other examples like this. Besides the heckling, Jamaica is beautiful, but I would suggest sticking to the resort and doing tours through the tour companies. Also, I'm pretty sure I could eat jerk chicken every day.

On our vacation we got to climb Dunn's River Falls, swim with dolphins, relax on the beach, indulge in many pina coladas, shop in Negril, see the white sands and clear waters of the 7mile beach in Negril, enjoy some delicious Jamaican Jerk chicken, and snorkel in Mineral Cove. I'd say it was an "ok" week. Did I mention that Minnesota got about 10 inches of snow while we sat on the beach.....

In Negril, at Margaritaville

Jamaican Jerk Wings, 

 

Cliff Jumping at Rick's Cafe--Negril

Abby finding our Christmas tree after our return to the frigid cold in Minnesota. We have already started planning our next warm weather vacation. I hear the beaches in Spain are pretty amazing.

A little of this, A little of that: and a whole bunch of pictures

A little of this, A little of that

It has been a hectic past 3 weeks. To sum it up, Andrew ran his first 1/2 marathon, my parents came for a visit, and I frantically studied to take my board exams. Well not frantically studied, but took a whole week off and dedicated it to studying. It paid off because I can officially say that after amounting a ridiculous debt I can say that I am a board certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners as a Family Nurse Practitioner! I am so glad  to complete this final hurdle and am looking forward to my first Holidays that are not surrounded by having tests, and papers, and work. It is great to finally sit back and relax for a bit. It also would have made our planned vacation to Jamaica horrible if I had not passed, so this truly is a blessing. And I am lucky to have so many great people that have supported me through this journey. So, enough about me. I took a ridiculous amount of pictures the week of Halloween and what follows is only a fraction of the actual pictures I took. I do have to warn readers though that there is some major cuteness to follow, so prepare yourselves. 

Pumpkin painting!! She loves to paint! Dexter is hoping there is some food up on the table. 

Ready to go with her phone, purse, and keys!

"Peek-A-Boo"

Riding the dog like a horse apparently is not frowned upon in the Delvaux establishment.

Like I said earlier Andrew ran his first 1/2 marathon, The Monster Dash. He has been training all summer for this, and I have honestly never seen someone so excited to run. He ended up doing great with a final time of 1:32:28 and finishing 150 out of 5,817 people. His average pace per mile was 7:04, which is crazy fast compared to the 10 minute miles that I run, if I ever run. Abby and I are very proud of him!

 My parents came to visit the week of Halloween. We had multiple activities planned but the funnest, especially for Abby was taking a trip to the Children's Museum in Saint Paul. She took a little time to warm up to the toddler area, but once we got to art room, all her shyness had disappeared. And once we found the water area, it was hard to get her to leave! I see many trips back to the Children's museum in our future.

No fear opening the box, but try sticking her hand through the opening and you won't have any hearing for a week. We'll try it again next time, she'll warm up to it someday. 

"ROAR!"

This was also pure torture for her, and many tears were shed. 

"Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles!"

She was amazed by this whole process, and did it over, and over, and over again. There is only so much Children's museum one mother and Grandmother could take, so this was our last stop. 

This year for Halloween we decided to dress Abby and Dexter up as Little Red Riding Hood and Big Bad Dexter the Wolf. I was able to find Abby's costume at a consignment sale for $6, ummm awesome, considering the other red riding hood costumes cost at least $25 on the internet. Dexter's costume was a one of a kind, made by my mother. I know, shocking, that I did not sew this myself. It turned out awesome! Dexter was a good sport, and wore his wolf costume with pride. We also took him trick or treating with us, and got many a "Oh, that is so cute!" We only hit a few houses, because, "Abby" really doesn't need all that candy. It was a lot of fun and I look forward to taking her out for Halloween next year!

 

Dexter is so over this.

Checking out her loot. I'd say she made out pretty good. 

I took my board exam on 11/12. I do not think that I have ever been so nervous for a test and it took me until about question 20 for me to stop feeling my heart beating through my chest. With 40 minutes left in my allotted time, I hit the button to end the exam, worst anxiety I have ever had!! I knew that a PASS/FAIL would should up on my screen, so I waited.....and waited, and then something popped up, except it was not a big pass or fail on the screen but rather a question asking if I would like to take a survey!! A SURVEY!!! I was furious, but I took the optional survey anway, and proceeded to wait again...and wait, and then another screen popped up. I don't even know what this screen was, but it was not the pass/fail screen. I quickly pressed the button to pass this screen and then waited AGAIN!!!! And finally, the screen telling me that I had passed my exam showed up. I was surrounded by a bunch of other people taking various test in a very quite room, so I silently gave myself a WOOHOO!!! in my head and headed out the door, to never take a board exam again!!!!

Stephanie Delvaux RN, MSN, FNP-C (boom, that sounds awesome!)