Seeking information from nurses working on CVICU

[dreamalwyz]

Hi, I am a 4th year student nurse in Alberta and am interested in doing my preceptorship in CCU/CVICU. I was wondering what a typical day looks like. Also, are there any extra courses that I need to take once graduated inorder to work as a CVICU nurse or is it on job training?

Appreciate some response from ICU nurses:)

Thank you:)

[BellionRN]

Hi!

I recently left the ICU in April in favour of Emerge, but I started in a med-surg ICU as a new grad.

Additional courses for my ICU (I'm on the opposite side of the country, mind you), included ACLS, BCMI, hemodynamic monitoring, pacing and defib, etc. I also took a 12-week Critical Care Course. Everything was included for me... no cost to me at all. I was also payed salary while I did my course.

Typical day in my ICU (a little different than yours but nonetheless...) was laying eyes on my patient, getting a loooong report and writing out my worksheet. I always started by writing down my times q1h for 12 hours and next to it putting in what had to be done at what time. I also included their history, pertinent info from their OR and from PACU (if they were a postop pt). Then was a head-to-toe assessment, AM care and vitals, meds, trach care (depending), cardiac strip interpretation etc. Doc rounds usually came after, so chatting with the doc and carrying out whatever orders/med changes/etc were ordered. Of course, you're always on high alert, monitoring your patients for changes in status is a big part of it. Really good hygiene and turns are a big part of ICU care as well, especially for your vented patients. Helping out your partner if you can, getting report from them to watch their patients while they eat. Watching drains and dressings, output etc.

It's hard to say about a typical day since things can change so quickly in an ICU, including transferring out patients and receiving new patients from either the OR, Trauma or a floor where someone has gone bad.

I'm not sure if this was helpful at all!

Good luck! :)

[BellionRN]

Sorry, I guess I should include I did a 12 week Critical Care Course and then had a approx 6 week orientation where I was paired with a nurse. My course included a 4 week preceptorship, so there was tons of "OJT" included for me, and I felt pretty ready by the end of it!

[dreamalwyz]

Hi,

I apologize for the late response. I do appreciate you responding to my question. I am in Neurosurgery and have been there for about 7 months. I recently got job acceptance on Neuro ICU at the same facility​ and will start in 3 months.