Micu First

[GYN DOC]

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I got micu for my first rotation. Is it best to take it first or should i try to move it to later. I'm not really that infatuated with internal medicine and i feel that taking MICU first will make me somewhat depressed for the rest of the year. I dont have a single ward rotation until march of next year! Would it be hard to transition from MICU to not having an ward experience until next year? I feel like the rest of my summer i should do nothing but review review review EVERYTHING!!! Something i hadnt anticipated before. What should i review to prepare for MICU?

 

[Medical123]

I am going into IM. I wish that I had MICU first. Instead, I am going to be the night float intern for our major teaching hospital and also feel as if I need to review a lot of stuff prior to starting my residency in July. I do MICU for my second rotation. From what I have been told, doing an ICU rotation early is actually not a bad thing. Though it can be overwhelming, you do learn a lot and there will be plenty of people around to support you. Most people will realize that you are brand new and will kind of look out for you and your patient's well-being. At least I hope so. I can't help but to be a little scared!

I have been told that an excellent book for the ICU rotation is the The ICU Handbook by Marino. Good luck!

 

[Geri_Gal]

I've heard that MICU as a first rotation isn't so bad. You'll 'hit the ground running' and will quickly learn what constitutes a medical emergency/urgency and what doesn't. Your residents/attendings will be watching closely over you...and you'll primarily be responsible for knowing your patient rather than making crucial decisions in patient care.

Review the ACLS algorithms (hopefully ACLS is part of your orientation). Marino's ICU book is easy to read and a great resource. ...and get lots of sleep...especially if your call is q3! 🙂

 

[atsai3]

I got micu for my first rotation. Is it best to take it first or should i try to move it to later. I'm not really that infatuated with internal medicine and i feel that taking MICU first will make me somewhat depressed for the rest of the year. I dont have a single ward rotation until march of next year! Would it be hard to transition from MICU to not having an ward experience until next year? I feel like the rest of my summer i should do nothing but review review review EVERYTHING!!! Something i hadnt anticipated before. What should i review to prepare for MICU?

Doing MICU early on is not a bad deal. One of the skills you will be developing as an intern is determining when a patient is "sick" vs. "not sick" and whether the patient needs ICU-level care. I didn't get any exposure to the ICU until late in my intern year, and because of that, transferring a patient "to the unit" always had a little bit of mystery attached to it. (What do they do there? Why are they transferring the patient back to us? Why do they think she's stable enough for the floor? etc.)

-AT.

 

[jonb12997]

i've heard good things about ICU nurses... that they can teach you a lot - those of you that have been through this, how were they?

 

[GYN DOC]

Thanks for the motivation guys. I guess i'll just tough it up. I'm just the type of person that would rather be prepared for the big rotation by having experience rather than learning by trial and error.

 

[SkidRow]

In the same boat here, huge university hospital starting MICU first. Terrified, but excited. 😀 what time did you guys come to MICU to preround on your patients, what's enough time approximately. did you use those medfools scut sheets for organization. Did you feel completely clueless, cuz i'm starting to feel that. it's hard to treat patients when you don't even know where the bathrooms are. Any other words of wisdom at least to loosen up the anxietey?

Thanks in advance,

SkidRow..

 

[Gastrapathy]

In the same boat here, huge university hospital starting MICU first. Terrified, but excited. 😀 what time did you guys come to MICU to preround on your patients, what's enough time approximately. did you use those medfools scut sheets for organization. Did you feel completely clueless, cuz i'm starting to feel that. it's hard to treat patients when you don't even know where the bathrooms are. Any other words of wisdom at least to loosen up the anxietey?

Thanks in advance,

SkidRow..

Go over your patients vent settings with the RT prior to rounds. Make sure you know what you are saying here (these are pulmonologists for the most part so they care about the lungs). For example, understand the difference between pressure support and pressure control. If you can get this terminology right, it will help you along the way.

 

[PalCareGrl]

I'm finishing up my internship, so I completely understand the scared feeling (I'm about to be a senior... this year FLEW by)

For ICU - be humble, and don't be afraid to ask for help! From RT, from nursing, from your fellow residents. If you approach everything as a learning experience and show people that you appreciate their assistance everything will be fine! Also - make friends with the ICU secretary... and always locate the nearest bathroom... that way there's one thing less to worry about! 😀

And try to relax!!! You'll be running soon enough, enjoy your last few day!! Best of luck!!