Life As An ICU Advanced Practice Nurse: Advising Doctors, Examining Patients Like A Boss

Summary

Faith’s journey from a hesitant nursing student to a top Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) in the ICU showcases the dedication, growth, and personal transformation within the healthcare field. Initially met with skepticism by her family, Faith’s career in nursing was solidified after a life-changing moment with her grandmother. With a Master’s in Nursing and a passion for patient care, Faith has become a mentor and leader, guiding her colleagues in ICU procedures while providing compassionate care. Her story reflects the challenges and rewards of nursing, along with the powerful support of family along the way.

Takeaways

• 😀 Faith transitioned from a senior nurse to an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN), aiming to play a more active role in patient care and decision-making.
• 😀 Faith's role as an APN is multifaceted, involving patient history-taking, physical exams, interpreting lab and diagnostic results, and providing leadership in emergency situations.
• 😀 Family support plays a crucial role in Faith's career, with her parents initially concerned about her choice but later growing proud as they saw her progress.
• 😀 Faith's experience caring for her grandmother after a stroke helped solidify her decision to pursue nursing as a career.
• 😀 Faith worked hard to complete her Master's in Nursing, spending 18 months studying intensely to prepare for the APN role, and graduated as the top student of her class.
• 😀 Her parents' perception of nursing changed over time, especially after realizing the opportunities for career advancement and the emotional fulfillment that comes from helping patients.
• 😀 Faith actively teaches and mentors junior nurses, sharing knowledge from her Master's program to help them grow in their roles.
• 😀 Nurses often face emotional challenges, especially when interacting with family members who are not familiar with the APN role or when dealing with difficult patient situations.
• 😀 The ICU, where Faith works, is not only a place for aggressive treatment but also for providing comfort and dignity to patients in their final days.
• 😀 Faith's job as an APN requires balancing hands-on patient care with leadership responsibilities, ensuring that she provides both direct care and strategic guidance to the healthcare team.

Q & A

What prompted Faith to pursue a career in nursing?

Faith was inspired to pursue nursing after a deeply emotional experience with her grandmother, who had a stroke. While visiting her in the hospital, Faith provided comfort by cleaning her grandmother’s eyes, and this small action brought significant comfort, solidifying her desire to be a nurse.

What challenges did Faith face when her parents first learned about her decision to become a nurse?

Initially, Faith’s parents were concerned about her choice to enter nursing due to misconceptions about the profession, such as the physical demands and lack of career progression. They suggested other fields, such as business administration, instead.

How did Faith’s parents change their perception of nursing?

Faith’s parents’ perception of nursing shifted when they saw her complete her Master’s in Nursing and become the top student in her class. They realized that nursing offers a substantial career progression, and they became supportive of her journey.

What specific role does an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) play in the ICU?

As the first APN in the medical ICU at Tando, Faith’s role involves patient assessments, physical examinations, history taking, interpreting diagnostic results, and guiding the medical team in patient care. She leads in emergencies when no doctor is present and ensures patient care is in line with family wishes, such as DNR orders.

How did Faith prepare for her role as an APN?

Faith underwent 18 months of intensive study for her Master’s in Nursing to prepare for her role as an APN. This training included developing skills in history taking, physical exams, lab result interpretation, and making independent decisions in patient care.

How does Faith manage the emotional challenges of working in the ICU?

Faith navigates emotional challenges by balancing her professional responsibilities with personal support. She often steps in to lead during emergencies, but also recognizes the emotional strain of working with critically ill patients and their families, offering both medical care and emotional support.

What motivates Faith to continue her work as a nurse despite the challenges?

Faith is motivated by the visible improvement in her patients' conditions, which she finds fulfilling and rewarding. Helping patients in vulnerable states and providing comfort during difficult times drives her passion for nursing.

How does Faith balance her demanding career with family life?

Faith’s husband plays a key role in supporting her by helping with household chores and caring for their pets, allowing her to focus on her career. Despite the demanding nature of her work, Faith appreciates the small actions of support, like her husband taking on responsibilities at home.

What role does Faith’s husband play in her career journey?

Faith’s husband has been incredibly supportive throughout her career, especially when she pursued her Master’s. He ensured the household ran smoothly during intense study periods and provided emotional support, even if it meant adjusting his own routine to help her focus on her exams.

What has been the impact of Faith’s work in the ICU on the public’s understanding of the APN role?

Over time, Faith’s work as an APN has helped the public understand and accept the role. Some family members of patients have already recognized the value of the APN’s contributions, appreciating the quality of information provided during updates, which matches that from the medical team.