New Nurse on Progressive Cardio Care Unit

Specialties Cardiac

Published

So, I just finished my first week on orientation. It is definitely a lot of information to take in. I do feel myself struggling with transitioning from that role of a nursing student and a aide for so many years. I hope to leave that behind after this week.

I just wanted to know if there is anyone that would want to offer up some advice on transitioning or what you may have recommended to someone that was going through the same thing as I am? I'm not having any problems (yet!) and everyone seems to be very welcoming. So I just want to get this transition down and get on with my nursing career!

Also, does anyone know of website I could go to and listen to lung sounds? That is an area that I'm still a little bit weary about and want to work on it.

Specializes in CARDIAC.

Please advice experienced nurses, Im also going to be a new grad RN working on a cardiac step-down unit in a level 1 trauma hospital .

Specializes in Public Health, TB.

No one expects you to transition within a week or two. Hopefully you get several weeks of orientation with a good preceptor. You will need to transition from focusing on tasks to looking at the whole patient, assessing their issues and planning on their needs.

To that end, know your anatomy and physiology and think about why is my patient tachycardic?

Know your drugs--why are you giving them, effects both therapeutic and adverse.

As for lung sounds, I was able to google a couple of sites, but really, real life is the best teacher. Ask your colleagues to point out anything out of the ordinary. You'll here plenty of crackles and wheezes, but I find rubs more rare, except with chest tubes.

And try to connect with each patient. And for pete's sake, touch them!

Specializes in CARDIAC.

Wow thanks so much for this advice ... I will definitely use it !!!! I was not thinking about focusing on task 1st but that sounds like the best way .

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