Any Advice for a New Grad RN starting at a Post Cardiac Surgery Unit?

Hey and Congratulations on your job

I spent three years working in a CT surg stepdown fresh out of school. So I remember having that anxious feeling.

First of all I hope you have a good orientation with a knowledgeable nurse educator that will give you all the necessary classes that you will need.

Another factor is your preceptor. A preceptor can make or break you. If you find that for whatever reason things are not working out with the preceptor do not be scared to talk to the nurse manager about the situation. I have seen so many good nurses with bad preceptors who end coming off orientation not adequately prepared. I have also seen good nurses who do not get along with their preceptors and they end up leaving halfway through. I hate to say it but nurses do tend to eat their young.

I would suggest you brush up on everything cardiac. You will probably get classes but they may not cover everything. Surgical procedures like CABG, valve replacements, valve repairs, aortic aneurysm repair these are things you will see. Depending on your hospital you may also get heart transplants. Patients will have chest tubes, and drains. Know your ECG readings, arrythmias, both the causes and treatments for arrythmias. Certain meds like beta blockers, inotropes, antiarrythmics, and anticoaugulants like coumadin. I am not saying you should spend hours reading up. But every now and then open a book and refresh your knowledge.

I would also suggest that you take ACLS even if your unit does not require it. A critical care course and definitely a telemetry course should be part of your orientation.

Another thing is to keep a little note pad and write things down that your preceptor may tell you. There are many things you will learn that are not taught in school. Another thing to jot down is hospital phone numbers, doctors pager numbers, extensions for when you need that chest xray, number to the lab etc..

Take your time do not rush. There may be days when you will leave late but thats ok. Rushing leads to mistakes. Try to stay organized write things down if you have to. I remember I used to write my pts names and then write what I needed to do for them with little check boxes (ie. meds, labs, dressing changes), and then as I do it I check it off. After awhile it will be second nature and you won't need little memos to remember things.

Another important thing to remember is good charting. If it was not charted then it was not done.

Be confident in what you know but please do not be afraid to ask questions. Do not fake the funk so to speak by pretending to know something that you dont. Thats how mistakes are made.

CT surgery is defintely a good way to start your nursing career. You learn so much. GOOD LUCK.

You are welcome. You will do fine.