New Grad starting in CVICU SOS

Specialties CCU

Published

Hello, I graduate in the summer and will most likely be starting in the CVICU I work at currently as a nurse extern. This exposure has definitely been helpful however it is nowhere near the same as actual nursing on this unit. What steps can I take right now to better prepare myself for when I begin my residency.

Types of patients we receive: Post-op Hearts, typically CABG x2x3x4, Type A Aortic Dissections, Triple As, AVR/TAVR, MVR etc.

1-1 Interventions provided on our unit- ECMO, IMPELLA, Aortic Balloon Pumps, LVADs, CRRT etc.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

Nice! Sounds like my unit. You said it's a residency, how long do you have being precepted and what kind of support do you get? Classes etc? A good place I think to start would be reviewing all of the normals for hemodynamics: PA, svo2 etc.

Depending on your comfort level reading rhythm strips, I love this book Rapid Interpretation of EKG's, Sixth Edition: Dale Dubin: 978

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^^^agree!!!

Definitely brush up on rhythms and be aware of what rhythms are common for patients to convert to based on their procedures (open heart -a fib, TAVR - heart blocks, etc)

Know your cardiac meds!!!! I would suggest a badge buddy with common drip parameters and titrations.

Of course you have to know about hemodynamics, but most importantly what do they mean & how to fix the problem.

Two words: Renal function!

Urine output can tell you so much about your patient!

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Specializes in CICU, Telemetry.

The best thing you can do to prepare...study hard and pass your last semester of nursing school and your boards.

You don't need your soul saved over a job you don't even have yet, and won't even have the necessary qualifications for for probably close to 8 or 9 months.

Wasting brain space on PA pressures and IABP management when they won't be covered on your boards doesn't necessarily seem like the best choice.

Come back and ask this again once you've graduated, passed your boards, and secured a job offer.

And again, best of luck with those things, but don't jump the gun.

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