Clinical on a Cardiac/Thoracic Floor

[missb1250]

Hello,

I am a 2nd semester nursing student at a local community college. I will begin my clinical rotation at a very well known teaching hospital in the area - on the cardiac/thoracic floor. Took the tour of the unit on Friday and to put it simply, I am scared to death of this unit. Crash carts and chest tubes everywhere and the hospital itself is soo intimidating. I know, with this being a teaching hospital, that I have been presented with an amazing learning opportunity, and I am greatful for this.

However, I dont feel adequate (just yet) to take care of such critical patients.

I guess what I am looking for is some advice about how to handle the intimidation of this unit....how to overcome this fear of "cardiac unit".

I enjoyed cardiac sections in my other classes (A&P, Fundamentals of RN) but all I can think about is what if my pt codes and I dont respond right? That freaks me out!

I started my first clinical rotation at a smaller (but very busy) hospital that did your "routine" scheduled surgeries. I wasnt exposed the "real hospital" enviroment until now. I feel that I have a good instructor, but Im afraid she expects me to know more than what I do.

At this point, I know I am overwhelmed, theres no questions about that, but Im scared...like I dont want to this roataion Im so scared. But I know I have to.

Maybe it is fear of the unknown? Maybe it is lack of self confidence in my nursing knowledge?

Any advice, tips, past/present experiences would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

I did 2 month internship in a cardiac stepdown unit and another in a CICU. Let me tell you, it is intimidating and it can be very scary going in. The first day I ever worked with a person on the vent I was scared to no end. The more you are around things, the more you play with things the more familiar you get with them. With that being said, offer to do the cares, offer to jump in and help wherever you can to get familiar with the equipment/pts etc. You get so much more from just diving in and saying I will do this then sitting back and watching.