MICU Sub-I, Suicide?

[blondemed]

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I have no experience in the ICU setting whatsoever, not even elective time. I know some would just say man up and get er done but I feel I would be totally lost and likely not get good evaluations or a LOR from the experience. If anyone has been in this situation before I'd really appreciate some input.

 

[Bobblehead]

Go for it. If you show up early and know everything about the patients you're following you will likely have a better chance of getting noticed given the compact nature of an ICU.

 

[TinyFish]

Everyone has to start somewhere. If MICU is your only option and you need LORs, I would say go for it. Whether you get good LOR's or not is a matter of who you encounter during rotations, and you may have either good or bad luck whether it's a MICU sub-I or not.

MICU is stressful, but you learn a ton, and you get used to it very quickly. If you've been out of the clinical setting for a year, I would definitely practice H&P's and read up on acute coronary syndrome, renal failure, hepatic failure, CVVD, mechanical ventilation, and maybe refresh on how to manage fluids. Other than that, the biggest issues during a Sub-I are mainly about how to do practical day-to-day things, and you learn that on the job. As long as you show enthusiasm and willingness to learn, you should be fine.

I didn't go into IM, but thought I wanted to, and I loved my MICU Sub-I.

 

[Depakote]

I'm going to be trying to do my MICU rotation as an away in November as well.

The consensus from most of the recent graduates I've spoken to is that it's a trial by fire but a very educational experience. I would guess that and as long as your are capable of rising to what they're trying to teach you by the end of the month, you should be able to impress them.

 

[Twitch]

Better to make a fool of yourself as a student and learn it right the first time than make those mistakes trying those procedures and working the vents as a resident for the first time.

 

[Super Mario]

In terms of knowledge base, the one article I recommend you read inside and out prior to the rotation is the surviving sepsis campaign (you can find this on med-line). These are guidelines for management of septic shock in the ICU that you absolutely must be familiar with, the earlier the better.

The remaining expectations are pretty intuitive:
- Show up on time (or early)
- Help your intern out as much as possible
- Read up on your patient's problems, keep up with what's going on with them
- Try to go over the plan with your resident prior to rounds if possible so your presentation sounds polished

Remember, no one expects you to know how to place a central line or manage the ventilator as a medical student on your first day. The qualities that indicate good house-staff potential are willingness to work hard, enthusiasm to learn, organization, and ability work well with others.

 

[Depakote]

In terms of knowledge base, the one article I recommend you read inside and out prior to the rotation is the surviving sepsis campaign (you can find this on med-line). These are guidelines for management of septic shock in the ICU that you absolutely must be familiar with, the earlier the better.

The remaining expectations are pretty intuitive:
- Show up on time (or early)
- Help your intern out as much as possible
- Read up on your patient's problems, keep up with what's going on with them
- Try to go over the plan with your resident prior to rounds if possible so your presentation sounds polished

Remember, no one expects you to know how to place a central line or manage the ventilator as a medical student on your first day. The qualities that indicate good house-staff potential are willingness to work hard, enthusiasm to learn, organization, and ability work well with others.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[psipsina]

Can anyone recommend a good text to read during an ICU rotation? I'm starting a TICU rotation next block 🙂

 

[bola]

Marino: The ICU book

The guy breaks it down!

 

[psipsina]

Marino: The ICU book

The guy breaks it down!

Thanks 🙂 I was looking at it on amazon already, good to know its "the" book 🙂

 

[jdh71]

Here's the deal, I'm a fourth year medical student who took a year out to pursue research after finishing third year, my medicine sub-I isn't scheduled till this november and I'm planning on applying to categorical IM. I got HPs in all of my clerkships during third year, except psych which I honored in. Ive been trying to get an earlier sub-I but all that has been offered to me is a MiCU rotation in September. I have no experience in the ICU setting whatsoever, not even elective time. I know some would just say man up and get er done but I feel I would be totally lost and likely not get good evaluations or a LOR from the experience. If anyone has been in this situation before I'd really appreciate some input.

No one expects the M4 on the MICU to some kind of critical care guru. Show up, and be interested and that will make all of the difference.