Any advice for a novice CCU nurse?

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Hi everyone

I am new graduate and I have a cardiac ICU residency starting in July, I just wanted to check in with all of you seasoned CCU nurses to see if you have any advice for me. like how not to be so overwhelmed, or any tips or challenges you faced when you started working in the cardiac icu, and how you overcome them.

any info will be helpful.

thanks alot.

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Specializes in ICU.

Don't be afraid to ask questions, and if there is a super sick/complex patient on the unit and you've got some free time ... offer your services to help out (do a blood sugar, change the suction canisters, anything simple ). Being a set of helpful hands on a complex patient offers you the chance to learn things without being responsible for the patient.

Good luck!

'

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Hi everyone

I am new graduate and I have a cardiac ICU residency starting in July, I just wanted to check in with all of you seasoned CCU nurses to see if you have any advice for me. like how not to be so overwhelmed, or any tips or challenges you faced when you started working in the cardiac icu, and how you overcome them.

any info will be helpful.

thanks alot.

either be studying critical care stuff or be a bug on the wall in any really sick pt room. never be surfing the internet or on your phone the first many years of nursing. watching how pt's are managed before your pt's crump is really helpful! and listening to docs come in and discuss how to treat a pt.

it will take years before you are comfortable and that is normal. the studying is not done now, it is just starting, so keep learning!

good luck

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Specializes in psych, general, emerg, mash.

learn how to breathe! your a rookie, ask questions no matter how dumb you think it might be, it could save your ass and your mental ass. you have learned the basics in school, Now your playing in the major leagues (even these boys make mistakes),

you should be shadowing a regular nurse.

You;ll get it, will take time.

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All is well in the first few months... you better know God and get prayed up!

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Specializes in ICU.

Rule #1, know where the alarm silence buttons are. Rationale: It makes it appear that you actually know what you're doing even if you don't, and gives peace to everyone around.

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the thing abt knowing how to turn alarms off is so true. thanks you for your advice and encouragement

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Specializes in retired LTC.
the thing abt knowing how to turn alarms off is so true. thanks you for your advice and encouragement
But you need to absolutely remember to turn them back on!!! I prefer to work thru alarms because ... just found it too scary for me.

Good luck!

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Specializes in ICU.
But you need to absolutely remember to turn them back on!!! I prefer to work thru alarms because ... just found it too scary for me.

Good luck!

Theres nothing worse than working with someone who doesn't silence/address their alarms. Its not necessary. You address the alarm. If your dealing with it, silence it. If its not an issue, change the limit. PLEASE!!! :nurse:

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Rule #1, know where the alarm silence buttons are. Rationale: It makes it appear that you actually know what you're doing even if you don't, and gives peace to everyone around.

Do not listen to this one. Alarms are there for a reason. Yes, many nurses let unnecessary alarms ring all night long and this is why alarm fatigue is such a major issue in ICU's. But that one alarm you do ignore when your pt's sat is 60% will haunt you. Some alarms cannot be helped. Whatever you do, do not adjust the volume either. Adjust your limits for patient norms and respond to alarms appropriately. Ignoring them by either letting them ring or hitting the silence button from the nurses station is bad practice and you are asking for trouble!

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