by akittr00

I'm new to ICU with an Open Heart unit but have 2 years on a med-surg unit. I feel totally out of water and am looking for a good website or book that will help me catch up with cardiac. Also, I keep hearing that it will take anywhere from 1-2 years before I will get comfy on the unit with critical skills. Is this a pretty accurate statement?

Re: cardiac for dummies, website or book

Hi- I think it depends on who you talk to. Some of the nurses I know say it takes as much as 5 years to get comfortable on a new unit- agh!

Here are two general websites that I like:

http://www.icufaqs.org -------> General ICU stuff

http://www.pacep.org --------> Hemodynamics galore!


Sorry, it's not cardiac specific! Best of luck with your new job!

Re: cardiac for dummies, website or book

I just started as a new grad in a CVICU, and everyone highly recommended Bojar's Manual of Perioperative care in adult cardiac surgery. It is a great reference for cardiac surgery. I have read the ICU faq's as well, and they are awesome!!!

Re: cardiac for dummies, website or book

After glancing through the web sites, I think they would be pretty useful in my practice and added them to my favorites even if not cardiac specific. Really appreciate your response.

Re: cardiac for dummies, website or book

After searching the web about this book, I definitely think I will be buying it. Thanks again for the recommendation on both the book and the web site.

Re: cardiac for dummies, website or book

It depends on the nurse and the unit culture as to how long a newbie will begin to feel comfortable in the CVICU. I've seen experienced ICU nurses get freaked out over going to OHS(open heart surgery) units. So, you know yourself best in how you handle stress. Knowledge is power!