Cardiac Short Stay Can someone tell me about this unit

sevensonnets · Jan 30, 2021

Probably for patients coming out of the cath lab, post pacemaker placement, etc.

JadedCPN, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2021

4 hours ago, Kaylight said:

I just got offered a night position in a cardiac short stay unit. I am currently in a non-tele med-surg unit, and I would like someone to tell me what a short stay unit is like. I am wondering how different it is from what I do currently. Thanks.

I would assume you interviewed for this position since you got an offer; was the unit not discussed during the interview? That's always a good time to get the general gist of a unit and ask questions.

Like sevensonnets said, I would assume it is for things like cath lab procedures where they need to stay overnight for observation but usually are only admitted for less than 24 hours. Each unit is different though.

sissiesmama, ASN, RN · Feb 2, 2021

I haven’t worked on the unit, but I was a patient in that type of unit. I had a PFO repair and was there post procedure. The way the nurse explained it was that after 24 hours of u weren’t able to be d/ced home they transferred the patient to another ICU bed or possibly step down unit.

Anne, RNC

Kaylight, MSN · Feb 2, 2021

I was wondering how it compares with Med-Surg. It sounds like it could be fast paced since the patient only stays 24 hours, but they don't have the patient load that Med-Surg has. My med-surg unit can discharge two-three patients, and get back that many patients from the ED sometimes all at once.

Thanks everyone for responding.

JadedCPN, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2021

1 hour ago, Kaylight said:

I was wondering how it compares with Med-Surg. It sounds like it could be fast paced since the patient only stays 24 hours, but they don't have the patient load that Med-Surg has. My med-surg unit can discharge two-three patients, and get back that many patients from the ED sometimes all at once.

Thanks everyone for responding.

I don't know if I would be too sure they don't have the same patient load, but the patient load they do have might not be as heavy or sick if they'll be discharging the next day. On our general pediatric surgical short stay unit it is very likely that you start your day with your full assignment and by the end of the day you've discharged and readmitted every room and have a brand new assignment.