Cardiac Stepdown?

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 8, 2009

i have an interview with a cardiac stepdown unit... anyone work there or have any ideas on what it's like or what to expect?

yes. you get post cabg and other cardiac post surgical patients. you also get patients who either discharged from the icu or that come up from the er with cardiac complications. what is it like? it is hard and painful, but the reward is that some day i will be as good as the more experienced nurses ... my goal is to be an er nurse someday, so this is a good unit to reach that goal. :up:

DoubleblessedRN, ADN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-P · Apr 8, 2009

It is a very good area to work in with a lot of learning experiences. In addition to what the first poster stated about pts from ICU and post cardiac procedures, many of the pts I get are in CHF, COPD exacerbation, unstable angina, DKA. We maintain medicated drips such as nitro, heparin, dopamine, dubutamine, primacor, lasix and cardizem. ACLS is usually mandatory.

LovePurple · Apr 8, 2009

Hey! Just an update. I had my interview this morning. While I was initially very intimidated by the whole cardiac atmosphere the interview went fantastic! I think that although I KNOW the floor will be VERY difficult, that I will be very proud to be able to learn those skills and be able to work in such a critical environment. I interviewed with the manager and 3 nurses (peer interview) and everything everyone said was wonderful. She does have to interview a couple others, but still will call by the end of the week!! I hope it's a good call, and I can't wait to get started!!!!

Any suggestions on quick study books to help on this type of floor?

LovePurple · Apr 9, 2009

Hi, just wanted to say I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you! I was just recently hired as a nurse tech in large cardiac step down unit and I'm so exited to work there for my last year of nursing school!!

Good Luck to you too!! I'll keep you posted! Let me know how things go with you!

Irene joy · Apr 9, 2009

Hi, just wanted to say I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you! I was just recently hired as a nurse tech in large cardiac step down unit and I'm so exited to work there for my last year of nursing school!!

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 9, 2009

hey! just an update. i had my interview this morning. while i was initially very intimidated by the whole cardiac atmosphere the interview went fantastic! i think that although i know the floor will be very difficult, that i will be very proud to be able to learn those skills and be able to work in such a critical environment. i interviewed with the manager and 3 nurses (peer interview) and everything everyone said was wonderful. she does have to interview a couple others, but still will call by the end of the week!! i hope it's a good call, and i can't wait to get started!!!!

any suggestions on quick study books to help on this type of floor?

a book on ekgs and cardiac rhythms is helpful. i have a program on my pda. i also use my former medical surgical nursing textbook for conditions such as those involving various patient conditions and disease processes i do not understand (or recall) not to mention my drug guide. however, as time has gone on, i found that the references on my floor are helpful too. the units in my hospital have so much information laying on the floors that you can look things up during break to learn more about processes and procedures. not to mention talking to the other nurses. good luck!

i hope you can join our pain soon! you will definitely be more proud of yourself as a new grad being on such a tough unit then if you were working an easy unit where everything is fluffy, sweet, and slow. i won't mention any names, but i worked on one of those units as a tech and then as a nurse extern.

ThanksForAllTheFish! · Apr 9, 2009

Hey! Just an update. I had my interview this morning. While I was initially very intimidated by the whole cardiac atmosphere the interview went fantastic! I think that although I KNOW the floor will be VERY difficult, that I will be very proud to be able to learn those skills and be able to work in such a critical environment. I interviewed with the manager and 3 nurses (peer interview) and everything everyone said was wonderful. She does have to interview a couple others, but still will call by the end of the week!! I hope it's a good call, and I can't wait to get started!!!!
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I wish you the best! :yeah:

LovePurple · Apr 10, 2009

hey!! good news!! i got a call this afternoon! i beat out 3 people for the position!! and i'm the new girl.. having only graduated in december!!! woohoo!!!!

ThanksForAllTheFish! · Apr 10, 2009

YAY!! :yeah: