New to Cardiac Nursing...pep talk needed :)

Specialties Cardiac

Published

I graduated in December and took a job in LTC...loved the elderly, hated all of the lazy nurses and staff around me. About 3 weeks ago I accepted a job working in in Progressive Care Unit in a Heart Hospital and have began training on the floor with a preceptor. It is a CRAZY unit with very sick people...a bit overwhelming. I have begun to question whether or not I am going to make it :confused: I have always been an over achiever, graduated in the top of my class in school, married, kids to take care (one has epilepsy and autism)...I have always managed well. I know that if I put my mind to it I can do it, but I am completely overwhelmed by everything right now. I will get 12 weeks of orientation (with a preceptor by my side). Any advice or pep talks would be greatly appreciated!!!

Specializes in LTC, Alzheimer's patients,Cardiac.

Thanks to everyone for your advice! This has been a very stressful experience and all the advice is very helpful :)

0 Votes
Specializes in Cardiac.

I currently work on a 30 bed PCU unit as an LPN and yes it can be very challenging every day...Give it time it will get better. Work with your preceptor, ask questions ask questions..i still ask questions all the time..it will get better i have been at my job for 5 1/2 years and i love it...good luck :)

0 Votes

I am a new grad and have been told by many that the entire first year is a huge learning experience. If you were actually confident at this point you would probably be dangerous. Just remember to always ask the question if you don't know or have someone else take a look if you're not sure. I did my preceptorship in CCU and the experienced RN's do it... They work together and make a great team!

0 Votes

AND never never never give up!

0 Votes
Specializes in Family Practice, Urgent Care, Cardiac Ca.

What a HUGE relief it is to hear other cardiac stepdown folks talking about the early speedbumps! I'm new to it too, and man, there are those days...Good to know it gets better. :)

0 Votes

I will be graduating in a little over a week and have been offered a job in a PCU. Is this a good or a bad idea as a new grad?

0 Votes
Specializes in ER, progressive care.

I'm a new grad working on a 24-bed PCU. Nurse to patient ratio is 1:4, sometimes 1:5 if we are short-staffed. It can definitely be busy. It is definitely a learning experience, just be patient with yourself! You will learn A LOT. Also realize that you will never be alone and if you are EVER unsure of something, ask a coworker or ask your charge nurse. Remember that no question is a stupid question. I love my job as a progressive care RN!

0 Votes
Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

Time and people management will be your biggest hurdle. Cardiac floors are always busy.

Get 2 know the routine of the ward, what do u do for morning shifts, afternoon & nights? Are there certain duties that need to be fulfilled? For example we always did our rhythm strips in the am, then got patients ready for catheterisation in the day surg lab (we went thru a pre-procedure check list).

Try 2 work with people who you can ask a zillion questions from, also ask re resources on the ward/unit - ours had tons of handouts.

At the start of ur shift, grab all the patients charts so you can get ur work organised. Ensure you use a cheat sheet, one that has patient names on the side and times up the top. Develop ur own system for getting work accomplished, ie: I'd write meds under the time in red (I'd write the med to be given), other notes in blue, dressings or other procedures in green, etc.

I would also get to work a little earlier to try & find out my patient assignment & to be early for handover.

Studies have shown that it takes at least 18 months to feel comfortable in a new job, so don't beat yourself up. U will get things wrong and you will learn along the way.

Do not let people manipulate your time - time will run away from you. Also try to start things earlier like meds, ie: get your IV meds done before tablets for example as these take longer to re-constitute, check & 2 set up on a pump. You have to really think about what takes the longest for each patient that you have. And prioritise your patients; the sickest ones come first, the ones who are recovering and ambulating probly don't need as much supervision.

Any problems always report to the senior nurse first and always highlight problems immediately - don't leave things till the last minute, then the NUM/CN will get annoyed. Report any med errors immediately.

Just get as organised as you can as early on as you can and you should be right. And 12 weeks orientation is great; we don't get that down here! The most I've heard of here is 2 weeks I think, so 12 weeks is great.

0 Votes
Specializes in LTC, Alzheimer's patients,Cardiac.

Thank you all for your advice....I have definitely gotten more comfortable in my role as a RN on the floor...things are still crazy BUT that is my floor. I recently had an opportunity to go to night shift which I am very grateful for...still busy but I am not tripping over doctors, therapists, discharge coordinators, dietary aides, etc. I actually really like this specialty and have a great support system at work :)

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment