Cardiac Stepdown - meds, skills needed

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  1. This is a discussion on Cardiac Stepdown - meds, skills needed in Cardiac Nursing, part of Nursing Specialties ... Well looking forward to starting my new career Tuesday in a large hospital within a 36 bed Cardiac...

    by May 23, '10
    Well looking forward to starting my new career Tuesday in a large hospital within a 36 bed Cardiac ICU step down unit. Looking for pointers and/or any specific drugs/skills you would suggest becoming super familiar with. I am excited and terrified at the same time.

    Also, I am trading in my cardiology III stethoscope for a master cardiology. Question is, does the 22 vs. 27 inch tubing make a great difference?

    Any advice welcome.
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    by CRIMSON May 23, '10 2:40 pm
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  3. 3 Comments so far...

  4. May 23, '10 by
    Congrats! Not sure on the stethoscope, I use a regular ol' Littman lightweight and it works fine, but study up on diabetic and renal pts, This makes up a big portion of the cardiac population.
    Make up a binder of important information,policies and procedures,drug information, and any educational papers you get from the unit/orientation. i have one and I refer to it often.
    Also, I can't stress enough KNOW your cardiac meds! Beta blockers, antiarrhytmics,anticoags, Heparin calcs,ACE/ARB's, code drugs. You will see these everyday and be expected to know why your pt is or isn't taking them and why they should be.

    Cardiac is extremely stressful and extremely awesome at the same time. I just came up on 1 year and it gets better everyday. Just remember to take one day at a time! Good Luck!
    CRIMSON likes this.
  5. May 24, '10 by
    Hey Im starting on CCU stepdown in about a week or so also... I'm excited and nervous but Its been a long time coming and Im so thankful! Thanks for the info Loveanurse!
  6. May 24, '10 by
    Quote from LoveANurse09
    Congrats! Not sure on the stethoscope, I use a regular ol' Littman lightweight and it works fine, but study up on diabetic and renal pts, This makes up a big portion of the cardiac population.
    Make up a binder of important information,policies and procedures,drug information, and any educational papers you get from the unit/orientation. i have one and I refer to it often.
    Also, I can't stress enough KNOW your cardiac meds! Beta blockers, antiarrhytmics,anticoags, Heparin calcs,ACE/ARB's, code drugs. You will see these everyday and be expected to know why your pt is or isn't taking them and why they should be.

    Cardiac is extremely stressful and extremely awesome at the same time. I just came up on 1 year and it gets better everyday. Just remember to take one day at a time! Good Luck!
    Thanks you for the info!