Cardiac Stepdown - meds, skills needed

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Specializes in Cardiac, Derm, OB.

Well looking forward to starting my new career Tuesday in a large hospital within a 36 bed Cardiac ICU step down unit. Looking for pointers and/or any specific drugs/skills you would suggest becoming super familiar with. I am excited and terrified at the same time.

Also, I am trading in my cardiology III stethoscope for a master cardiology. Question is, does the 22 vs. 27 inch tubing make a great difference?

Any advice welcome. :redbeathe:nurse:

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Congrats! Not sure on the stethoscope, I use a regular ol' Littman lightweight and it works fine, but study up on diabetic and renal pts, This makes up a big portion of the cardiac population.

Make up a binder of important information,policies and procedures,drug information, and any educational papers you get from the unit/orientation. i have one and I refer to it often.

Also, I can't stress enough KNOW your cardiac meds! Beta blockers, antiarrhytmics,anticoags, Heparin calcs,ACE/ARB's, code drugs. You will see these everyday and be expected to know why your pt is or isn't taking them and why they should be.

Cardiac is extremely stressful and extremely awesome at the same time. I just came up on 1 year and it gets better everyday. Just remember to take one day at a time! Good Luck!

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Hey Im starting on CCU stepdown in about a week or so also... I'm excited and nervous but Its been a long time coming and Im so thankful! Thanks for the info Loveanurse!

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Specializes in Cardiac, Derm, OB.
Congrats! Not sure on the stethoscope, I use a regular ol' Littman lightweight and it works fine, but study up on diabetic and renal pts, This makes up a big portion of the cardiac population.

Make up a binder of important information,policies and procedures,drug information, and any educational papers you get from the unit/orientation. i have one and I refer to it often.

Also, I can't stress enough KNOW your cardiac meds! Beta blockers, antiarrhytmics,anticoags, Heparin calcs,ACE/ARB's, code drugs. You will see these everyday and be expected to know why your pt is or isn't taking them and why they should be.

Cardiac is extremely stressful and extremely awesome at the same time. I just came up on 1 year and it gets better everyday. Just remember to take one day at a time! Good Luck!

Thanks you for the info!

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