by JRN72

Updated Oct 31, 2009 at 01:03 PM by JRN72

Well, I got my first choice of having a CCU placement for the next 7 weeks. The anticipation almost killed me, but was sooooo happy and relieved to get the spot. Graduation- December 21. YIKES!
I think this is a HUGE opportunity for learning...and I intend to take advantage of it! I have finished all of my "pre-internship" assignments but one...and am feeling a little stumped. I will be talking this over with my preceptor as well, but...we need to do an assignment regarding what our goals for this time are. Obviously, I want to learn as much as I can and not suck! I also want to present a good, professional image and be a competent beginner looking ahead to new levels. Those goals are a little broader than what I think our instructor contacts are looking for, so I guess I am asking for realistic ideas. They told us to think big, but this is an area of course where thinking big could be totally unrealistic. But- I tend to sell myself short wondering what I can do, capability, etc- just getting the placement is a nice little positive reinforcement as there weren't many spots to be had. The unit is titled CCU but is also probably combined with MICU patients- they have a separate SICU, but sometimes it just depends on who has a room. I spent two days of advanced clinical there, and really enjoyed the discussions, the atmosphere, and the learning, and especially the way those I was with took on their role of teacher.
Somewhere between selling myself short and delusions of grandeur there needs to be a happy medium! Anybody got any ideas?

Re: Goals for CCU preceptorship

here are some of my goals (as an example...read: not to copy) from my preceptorship

basically, I chose really general goals and then elaborated in the objectives on specific tasks or areas of critical care that I wanted to master

General Goals
nThe student will learn how to perform the role of the registered nurse while assuming total patient care of post anesthesia clients by the end of the semester.
nThe student will learn the management of critically ill post operative clients by the end of the semester.

Learning Objectives
nThe student will learn the use of oral and advanced airways in post anesthesia clients by the end of the semester as demonstrated by performance of oral air way insertion, nasotracheal suctioning, ventilator management , etc.
nThe student will learn management and assessment of chest tube systems by the end of the semester as evidenced by performance of chest tube drainage assessments, drainage facilitation, and chamber fluid monitoring.
nThe student will learn the needs specific to PACU patients by the end of the semester as demonstrated by the ability to predict and prepare for complications based on patient assessment, history, and condition.
nThe student will learn the use of vasoactive, dopaminergic, and other titratable drips by the end of the semester as evidenced by student’s ability to increase and decrease dosage rates based upon prescribed orders and assessment findings.

Re: Goals for CCU preceptorship

OP, that makes two of us hoping we do not suck in ICU!

Re: Goals for CCU preceptorship

LOL...I was thinking about this while on the treadmill today and may have come up with some ideas...but still think it would be fun to put "Don't suck" down as Goal #1