Behind the Monitor
Years of critical care experience distilled into one blog. No name, no face — just real ICU knowledge from the bedside.
My Story
The Beginning
I started my nursing career on a general ward. For two years, I did what most new nurses do — medication rounds, wound care, vitals, IV therapy. I was building my foundation, getting comfortable, finding my rhythm.
The Turning Point
Then COVID-19 hit. Our hospital was overwhelmed, and they needed nurses in the ICU — nurses who had never worked critical care before. I volunteered. Those first months were some of the hardest of my life. I was learning ventilator management, ARDS protocols, and prone positioning while watching patients deteriorate at rates I never imagined possible.
Finding My Place
But something clicked. The intensity, the complexity, the weight of every decision — I realized I belonged in critical care. I didn't just endure it. I chose it. I pursued formal education and earned my Higher Diploma in Critical Care Nursing. I got certified in BLS and ACLS. I kept showing up, shift after shift.
Why I Write
Over the years, I've managed ventilators, interpreted ABGs, titrated vasopressors, assisted with central line insertions, run codes, managed CRRT, and had countless difficult conversations with families. Now I write about it — because I wish someone had written this for me when I was starting out.
Clinical Expertise
The skills I bring to the bedside every shift — and the knowledge I share on this blog.
Ventilator & Respiratory
ARDS protocols, ABG interpretation, prone positioning, lung-protective ventilation strategies, and airway management.
Hemodynamic Monitoring
Arterial lines, CVP, pulmonary artery catheters, cardiac rhythm interpretation, and fluid management.
Critical Care Pharmacology
Vasopressors, sedatives, paralytics, anticoagulants — titrating medications based on real-time patient response.
Renal Support
Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and intermittent hemodialysis management in critically ill patients.
Emergency Response
Code Blue, rapid response, emergency stabilization — making split-second decisions when every second counts.
Invasive Procedures
Assisting with central line insertion, arterial line placement, chest tube placement, and emergency intubation.
What You'll Find Here
Why Trust This Content
Everything on this site comes from direct bedside experience in critical care. I write about what I've seen, done, and learned — not what I read in a textbook. When I reference clinical information, it reflects real-world ICU practice.
This site is not medical advice. It's career guidance and professional insight for nurses, by a nurse.
The Goal
Every article is written to help you thrive in critical care — not just survive. Whether you're a new grad considering the ICU or a veteran thinking about your next move, you'll find something useful.
No fluff. No corporate nursing speak. Just real talk.