CPCU

[CPCUNURSE]

Hello!

I am a new nursing graduate and was able to land a job in the CPCU. I was just wondering if I could get advise on what I should brush up on before going in, so I have a base to learn hands on when I start?

Thanks so much!

[CardiacKittyRN]

I'd look at drips - calculations, indications, what to monitor for, and your facilities protocols related to these. We run a lot of amiodarone, Cardizem, nitro, heparin, Integrillin; occasionally some Dopamine and Natrecor. I'd brush up on standards of care for MI, ACS, DVT, CHF, afib.. What to expect after heart caths, ablations, AICD placement..

That should give ya something to get started with! Oh and common cardiac p.o. medications as well.

[CPCUNURSE]

Thanks so much for your help!

[delphine22]

Do you have your ACLS yet? If not, studying for that will help you a lot.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Hello!

I am a new nursing graduate and was able to land a job in the CPCU. I was just wondering if I could get advise on what I should brush up on before going in, so I have a base to learn hands on when I start?

Thanks so much!

Acronyms mean different things to different folks. CPCU . . . Cardiac progressive care unit?

You're not likely to see titratable vasoactive drips, so while they're nice to know, they aren't essential. I'd concentrate on learning the various cardiac surgeries. What is actually involved in a valve replacement? A CAB? What are the possible complications? What sort of co-morbitities are you likely to see? What sort of medications are your patients likely to require discharge teaching on?

Make sure you brush up on the basics, assessments, rhythms, etc. Read some of the threads here about how to survive the night shift, communication with your new colleagues, basic new employee etiquette. You are more likely to get into trouble over failure to get along with your colleagues than you are for not knowing your rhythms.