Cardiac PCU as New Graduate RN

[CDNtoUSA]

Hello,

I have received a job offer for employment on a Cardiac PCU Unit where the patient ratio is typically 4/5 to 1. Curious as to if anyone has experience with the Cardiac PCU as a new graduate, or in general.

I have never worked on such a unit in my clinicals, and am curious as to if anyone would be able to provide insight!

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Congratulations. It's a great position to start out in.

How long is your orientation? It should include rhythm interpretation and the administration of cardiac medications. You need to be able to look at a tele strip and know the rhythm and the potential treatment. Check the patient first, not the monitor.

Best wishes.

[CDNtoUSA]

Thank you for your response! The position is apart of the nurse residency program, and will include ACLS, interpretation class along with approx. 10 weeks with a preceptor on the unit.

I am originally from Canada and would be relocating to the United States to accept the position, and have never worked in a PCU of any type! Nervous about accepting the job due to the limited cardiac knowledge taught throughout school (just the basics, of course) but excited for what there is to learn and the knowledge to be gained!

[Wuzzie]

Thank you for your response! The position is apart of the nurse residency program, and will include ACLS, interpretation class along with approx. 10 weeks with a preceptor on the unit.

I am originally from Canada and would be relocating to the United States to accept the position, and have never worked in a PCU of any type! Nervous about accepting the job due to the limited cardiac knowledge taught throughout school (just the basics, of course) but excited for what there is to learn and the knowledge to be gained!

Nobody will expect you to be an expert right out of the gate so don't worry about that. Just be a giant walking knowledge sponge and you'll do fine.

[CDNtoUSA]

Thank you for this! Makes me feel a bit better, for sure.

[NewEnglandRN16]

I started in cardiac step down (essentially the same thing) as a new grad on nights and moved to days after a year. I had 12w of orientation. I absolutely love it would don't want to leave. Occasionally everyone has a questions about something and we ask each other.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Thank you for your response! The position is apart of the nurse residency program, and will include ACLS, interpretation class along with approx. 10 weeks with a preceptor on the unit.

I am originally from Canada and would be relocating to the United States to accept the position, and have never worked in a PCU of any type! Nervous about accepting the job due to the limited cardiac knowledge taught throughout school (just the basics, of course) but excited for what there is to learn and the knowledge to be gained!

They will teach you what you need to know during orientation.

[SC_RNDude]

They will teach you what you need to know during orientation.

That's a pretty big assumption, unless you're familiar with this specific unit.

[SC_RNDude]

I was a new grad on a cardiac PCU.

I learned a ton, worked with some awesome nurses and CNA's, and am thankful for the experience.

However, it was a unit that that was understaffed (IMHO, but not according to the admin) and tight with resources while we cared for very sick peeps. 3-4 pts in the day and 4-5 at night.

I don't miss it one bit.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

They will teach you what you need to know during orientation.

Please don't count on that being true. You may need to put in many extra hours on your own if you don't have mastery of rhythms. Are you solely responsible for interpretation or do they have someone "downstairs" looking at rhythm strips? Good luck!!

[Stella_Blue]

Cardiac PCU was my first hospital job as a RN before moving to the ER. Although your ratio seems high (we had 3 to 4 pts on night shift) it was a great learning experience. You get more than a typical medsurg floor, but not as intense as ICU. I never thought I would like cardiac, but I love it now. Monitor interpretation takes time so dont kill yourself over it. Although, I dont miss it and I'm extremely happy in the ER, it was a great stepping stone for me personally. Good luck!

[CDNtoUSA]

Although you may not miss the unit itself, do you recommend a new grad taking a position on a Cardiac PCU?