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Are you stuck hanging blood and plasma? Right. It must be lunch time! The life of an ICU nurse is captured in this top ten list.
You know you’re an ICU nurse when…
10. You dread the new resident rotation.
9. You’re used to not using the bathroom in a 12-hour shift.
8. You tell the resident what orders to write.
7. You eat in between hanging blood and plasma.
6. You don’t have a medical degree, but you know the diagnosis and treatment for your patient.
5. You’re there when the code 99 is over before the doctor gets to the room.
4. You’re not afraid to stand up to anyone.
3. Your job is stressful and all you’re afraid of is the thought of cutting people’s hair.
2. You develop really sick humor.
1. You go in to work for your shift and you’re not overwhelmed—it is what it is.
This list, by Sonja Molyneux, RN, is the winner of our “Win Your Top 10 List on a Mug!” Giveaway. You can buy this mug for yourself or your favorite ICU nurse! Submit your own list here to enter the weekly contest!
RN
Registered Nurse
I LOVE IT! Sums it all up very well-especially the part about the residents! The most successful residents I ever worked with (and later the most successful Physicians) were the ones who came into the Unit on Day 1 and sought out a friendly RN who could and would keep them out of trouble!
RN
Registered Nurse
This is AWESOME!!! So true, so true. The longer you’ve worked in the ICU the more twisted your sense of humor and your ability to laugh at yourself is apparent. I love being an ICU RN.