Critical Care & ICU Nursing
MY VIEWS ON LEARNING HOW TO BE AN ICU NURSE:
- Being able to manage vents and drips is just the beginning
- Assertiveness, tact, and rationality are just as important as textbook knowledge
- The journey is worth it
Whether it’s through 10+ years of articles, courses, podcasts, emails, or events, my #1 priority is to help you feel confident and prepared at the bedside on an intensive care unit.
Kati Kleber, MSN, RNIf you’re gearing up for clinicals or have recently stepped into a role as an ICU nurse, we’ve got your back with the essential information you’ll need, the key inquiries to make, and a glimpse into what you can anticipate, ensuring you dive into your learning journey with confidence.
While your nursing school textbooks and preceptorship are designed to be your foundation, here at FreshRN, we understand that real-world practice often diverges from theory. You aced your ICU exams months (or even years) ago. Your hospital assumes you have a solid grasp of ICU nursing and will focus on refining your practical skills rather than revisiting the theoretical underpinnings.
Factor in the natural inclination to want to appear competent and knowledgeable as the new member of the team. It’s only human to be hesitant about asking questions for fear of seeming uninformed. However, this inclination can lead to vital information being overlooked. The resources provided below aim to address this and provide you with the confidence and clarity you need as an ICU nurse!
Featured Content
How to Become an ICU Nurse – Essential Interview Tips for New Nurses
Discover everything you need to know to become an Intensive Care (ICU), nurse. From the interview to the job, this is your complete guide. Table of ContentsWhat is an ICU Nurse?ICU Nurse ResponsibilitiesHow To Become an ICU Nurse When You are a New NurseBecoming an...
New ICU Nurse Resources: 4 Pieces of Expert Advice to Help You Succeed
The ICU is an overwhelming place to begin your nursing career. This post covers advice for new ICU nurses and will help you succeed as the new kid.
New ICU Nurse Master List – Medications, Skills, Procedures, Diagnostics and Diagnoses
You're a brand new ICU nurse or nursing student preparing to set foot in an intensive care unit for the very first time. (Talk about intimidating!) You're nervous, but up for the challenge. You want to familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of an ICU and want to...
Critical Care & ICU Freebies
ICU Drips Chart
Fast Reference Critical Care Tool
ICU Drips for Begginers
Self-paced Email Course
CCRN Study Plan
8 Week Customizable Plan
Critical Care & ICU Courses
Breakthrough ICU: A Crash Course for New ICU Nurses
Critical Care & ICU Articles & Resources
Are nurses first responders? This post debunks common myths and examines the facts to clarify the role of nurses ... If you’re considering working as a nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) but are unsure about the ... Working in an ICU requires a strong understanding of the specialized equipment used to monitor and treat ... In the dynamic nursing field, choosing the right specialty is a crucial decision that significantly influences ... Caring for patients with trachs can be pretty intimidating. Read our guide on tracheostomy care steps to build ... If you have wondered, "Can nurses intubate?" check out this blog post where we discuss who can perform this skill ...
Are Nurses First Responders? (Debunking Myths and Exploring Facts)
What Does a Pediatric ICU Nurse Do?
PICC Line vs Central Line vs Midline: Essential Insights and Central Line Care for Nurses
ICU Equipment List – A Comprehensive Guide to Critical Care Unit Equipment for Nurses
Acute Care vs Critical Care Nurse: Picking the Right Nursing Specialty for You
6 Essential Tracheostomy Care Steps: A Comprehensive Guide
Can Nurses Intubate? Clarifying Critical Code Blue Roles
All Free Critical Care & ICU Content
Articles
- Are Nurses First Responders? (Debunking Myths and Exploring Facts)
- 9 Tips to Excel as a PICU Nurse: A Comprehensive Guide
- What Does a Pediatric ICU Nurse Do?
- PICC Line vs Central Line vs Midline: Essential Insights and Central Line Care for Nurses
- ICU Equipment List – A Comprehensive Guide to Critical Care Unit Equipment for Nurses
- Acute Care vs Critical Care Nurse: Picking the Right Nursing Specialty for You
- 6 Essential Tracheostomy Care Steps: A Comprehensive Guide
- Can Nurses Intubate? Clarifying Critical Code Blue Roles
- Ventilator Settings for Nurses: Demystifying ICU Ventilator Modes
- Mastering CVP Monitoring: Setup, Understanding, and Best Practices
- Providing Comfort Care: The Ultimate Guide For Nurses
- Navigating New Grad ICU Nurse Jobs: A Beginner’s Guide to Success
- Mastering Critical Care: Your Guide to 6 Essential Pieces of Common ICU Equipment
- Mastering Common ICU Drips: A Nurse’s Guide to Lifesaving Medications
- Decoding Critical Care Jargon: Common ICU Abbreviations for Nurses
- Most Common ICU Admission Diagnosis: A Nurse’s Critical Guide to the Top 9 Issues
- Common ICU Medications: 4 Types You’ll Encounter
- How to Become an ICU Nurse – Essential Interview Tips for New Nurses
- New ICU Nurse Resources: 4 Pieces of Expert Advice to Help You Succeed
- Sepsis Protocol for Nurses
- New ICU Nurse Master List – Medications, Skills, Procedures, Diagnostics and Diagnoses
- Top Tips for New Grad Nurses in ICU
- What is the Prone Position Used For?
- What To Do When Your Patient Codes: 3 Critical Steps For Success
- New Grad ICU Nurses: Tips & Advice from an Experienced Nurse
- Critical Care Nursing Certification: How to Pass the CCRN Exam
- ICU vs ER Nurse: Decoding the Critical Differences in High-Stakes Environments
- Top Tips for New Nurses Working With Ventilators – From a CRNA!
- What Do ICU Nurses Do?
- From the ICU to Primary Care: The Transition From Inpatient to Outpatient
- Tips for New Grads in the ICU
- ICU Time Management Tips
- How to Manage Your Time in Critical Care for Nurses: Part II
- How to Manage Your Time in Critical Care For Nurses: Part I
- How to Survive in the ICU
- Central Line Basics for Bedside Nurses
Podcast Episodes
Kati Kleber, MSN, RN
Founder of FreshRN
The founder and educator behind FreshRN® is a nurse educator, author, national speaker, host of the FreshRN Podcast, and owner of FreshRN® – an online platform created to educate, encourage, and motivate newly licensed nurses in innovative ways.
