Anyone work on a Cardiac Progressive unit?

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I am a new grad that had worked on a surgical floor during nursing school. I just applied for transfer to a GN position on a cardiac progressive floor, and my manager even has given the manager of the floor a good word for me. It seems as though this might be my shot. I would really like to know what I could be potentially getting myself into lol. I've never been on a Cardiac floor before, can anyone share any experience with me???

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Specializes in PACU.

Don't worry new grads go into all types of floors, just ask around. Good luck just prepare for the interview by knowing the material. I am also starting on a cardiac floor as we speak and don't let your nerves get the best of you. It's like any new job, you have to get used to it and learn the way. Worrying does nothing for you so just relax and enjoy it. Review your material and prepare that's the best you can do.

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Specializes in PCU.

It is wonderful. You get to work with cardiac patients, but may also get the usual DTs, DKA, HTN crisis. Usual patient load is 1:4-5. We had monitors in each room so you can get VS and strips at the drop of a hat. We use dopamine, cardizem, heparin, insulin, amiodarone drips and do titrations for parameters. The other drips usually go next door to ICU. We also work w/CTs, PEGs, pre/post caths. We have monitors in our office so we can monitor our own telemetry and take off our own orders (M/S gets the HUC;)). The patient acuity is higher than in M/S, rounding is q1h unless drips necessitate more frequent checks.

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Specializes in ED/ICU/TELEMETRY/LTC.

If you like it jumping, lots of admits and discharges, and never a dull moment you will love it.

It's great experience and when you get it under control you can work anywhere.

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Specializes in Trauma, Emergency.

Still just a student but have spent this whole semester on a cardiac step down... Lots of variety is all I can say! Dementia + hip fx + cardiac hx = step down. Severe diabetic ulcer + cardiac hx = step down. anything + cardiac sx or hx = step down, lol!! I know some hospitals are more cardiac in theirs progressive units than others but I think you'll get some degree p variety and excitement on any step down you see. Good luck and congrats! :-)

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Specializes in Critical Care.

You will still plenty of med-surg patients with just a dash of cardiac thrown in. Learn a lot, tele, cardiac meds, ACLS, basically a step-down from ICU. Valuable knowledge and experience and usually better staffing ratio's. There is plenty of variety and an interesting mix of patients!

If you like tele, you might want to move up to cath lab or ICU. Also good range of experience if you want to get your NP!

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