15 Memes ICU Nurses Can Relate To 

ICU nurses specialize in caring for some of the most complex patients in the hospital. Nurses love to joke about the luxury of having only 2 patients at a time (which is generally the standard for an ICU, in normal times), but there’s definitely good reason for the staff-to-patient ratio. 

ICU nurses need to be well-versed in a variety of illnesses and must always be aware of any warning signs that their patient is rapidly deteriorating. Whether it’s managing countless lines, monitoring patient stability, or saving lives during codes, ICU nurses certainly deserve some recognition. 

Here are 15 relatable memes we dedicate to the ICU nurses: 

Being stuck in a contact room 

 

We all know how long it takes to gown up before going into a contact room, especially when the patient is on precautions for COVID. There are few things worse than going into a room in your PPE and realizing you forgot something you need. 

This often results in pounding on the window to alert an innocent person passing by in hopes of getting your missing item without having to take off your PPE.

2. Managing unrealistic expectations

 

The average person has no idea what all of the lines and machines are used for in the ICU. Having a loved one unexpectedly be admitted to intensive care can be overwhelming and traumatic. 

While there is nothing wrong with hoping for a quick recovery, nurses may find themselves trying to help family members manage their expectations, especially in terms of recovery timeline. 

3. Hearing machines and alarms after work 

There is always something beeping in the ICU, whether it’s an IV, a ventilator, or a call bell. Many nurses report hearing these sounds at home long after their shift has ended. When you feel you’re going crazy hearing this ringing outside of hospital, just know you aren’t the only one!

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4. Trying to explain everything during patient hand-off

Every patient has a story, and patients in the ICU tend to have lengthy ones. Having to review the intricacies of complex patients can be challenging, especially if the nurse coming on shift has never taken care of that patient previously. 

5. Navigating your level of emotional involvement 

Every person deals with trauma a little bit differently. Some people detach themselves from the situation, while others go all in and experience the trauma alongside the patient and family members. 

We don’t have the answers on the best way to get through these intense situations, but we want to give a shout out to the ICU nurses who are often faced with these emotionally charged scenarios. 

6. Cleaning up huge messes 

With so many lines along with the acuity of illness in ICU patients, it’s not surprising that these nurses are frequently faced with a variety of messes. ICU patients may be sedated or in an altered state of mind and are often unable to assist with these tasks. 

7. Having to stabilize unstable patients 

ICU and ER nurses love to joke about their differences. The ICU nurse is stereotypically very organized and structured, while ER nurses tend to be quick on their feet but less structured in comparison. Of course, these are just stereotypes and don’t adequately address the mixture of personalities that can be found in both settings.

Either way, patients are generally transferred from the ER to the ICU BECAUSE they are unstable and medically complex, and the ICU nurse must monitor the patient and carry out orders to help the patient stabilize. 

8. Dealing with loss

Unfortunately, many patients who come into the ICU aren’t able to make it out. This can be incredibly taxing on medical staff, especially after building relationships with patients and their family members. 

9. Becoming really good at codes

Some medical professionals can go through their whole career without having to be involved in a code blue. This is much less likely in the ICU, as patients are often unstable and more prone to cardiac arrest. ICU nurses always have to be ready to start the process of coding a patient as soon as its needed. 

10. Lack of understanding from others 

From the outside, being an ICU nurse looks like it could be easily, especially when some of the patients are intubated and sedated. This assumption is unfair, since ICU nurses are working with some of the sickest patients in the hospital and also having to navigate communication with highly concerned family members. 

11. Having to turn and roll dependent patients 

A patient who is intubated and sedated won’t be able to turn independently. These patients still need to be moved regularly to avoid developing bed sores. This is where the ICU nurses and techs come in to help with positioning.

12. Dealing with people who think they know everything 

Nothing is more frustrating than having someone act like they know more about your job than you do. People think they have expertise after a few Google searches, as if that could replace a degree and experience working with very sick patients. 

13. Dealing with all of the diagnoses 

Really sick patients tend to have more secondary infections compared to others. ICU nurses are constantly exposed to a number of infectious diseases, some of which are resistant to antibiotics. Regardless, they must make sure that their patients all get what they need, despite the risks associated with exposure. 

14. Becoming hardened over time 

Working as an ICU nurse can really toughen you up, since you’re constantly seeing incredibly sick patients. This can make minor illnesses seem irrelevant. It is crucial that ICU nurses take good care of themselves and avoid getting too run down. 

15. Getting through a difficult shift

There is nothing more rewarding than getting through a particularly challenging shift and knowing you did your best to keep your patients alive and as comfortable as possible. Thanks to the ICU nurses for all of the hard work that you do! 

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