# @thecrnaclub on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CtJDxxFOhew
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/77095985-thecrnaclub-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/f87bc92b2e.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-06-06T08:04:23.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Community for aspiring CRNAs (@thecrnaclub) — https://gondola.cc/thecrnaclub

## Caption

The time you spend in the ICU is invaluable. The truth is, most of the time as a CRNA we’re giving anesthesia to *fairly* healthy-ish people. Of course we’ll get the trauma, or super sick vascular patient where we’re really anesthesia-ing , but for the most part, we try to optimize people as much as we can before we subject them to the effects of our drugs (hello myocardial depression). 

So, the time that you’re in the ICU you are getting bombarded with incredibly complex pathophysiology and pharmacology. It’s a *prime* time to dig deep into the cause and effect of your actions. Why this drug, why this therapeutic, why this lab draw? 

You get the theme here. Stay curious. Ask why. 

Here are the 6 things to focus on during your time in the ICU: 

1.Vasoactive infusions - mainly, the mechanism of action, side effects and receptor. 

2. Ventilator settings - Which numbers tell us what? High peak pressure alarm, what causes that? Befriend that RT, buy ‘em a coffee and have a little 2 am chit chat. 

3. RSI - Why do we do cricoid pressure? What are the structures you’re seeing on the Glidescope? 

4. Ultrasound - Whatever you can do to get trained on the US for PIVs, do it. Get comfortable with that bad boy, we use it a LOT. 

5. Lines - what are the landmarks for insertion for each vessel? Pros and cons to each? Risks for each location?  Nobody likes a pneumo at change of shift. 

6. Rounding - Show interest, be inquisitive (remember, you might be asking these attending for LOR one day), make it known that you have an inquiring mind. And practicing your “public” speaking skills in these stressful (but low stakes) moments. 

The ICU is required for a reason. Focus on making it through your (extremely challenging) time there by treating every situation as a learning opportunity. Even if it is a FLEARNING (failure + learning). 🤌🏼

#nurseanesthesia #criticalcarenurse #icunurse #icunurses #cvicu #micu #crna

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## Tags

criticalcarenurse, nurseanesthesia, icunurses, icunurse, micu, cvicu, crna

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