Going Back to Work in Hospital After 5 years of Hospice

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Specializes in Psych.

Hello everyone,

This is my first message to post so thanks ahead of time for your input :). Anyway, I start a new job on Monday. I will be going back to work at my local hospital on the cardiac step down unit (CICU). I will have between 4-5 patients on various cardiac drips and/or post cardiac cath. The hospital is also about to begin performing stent placements and some other intermediate interventions and we will get those patients as well. I am very nervous about this (and excited). I have been doing hospice for the last 5 years and wanted to get back to a more acute care setting. I was previously an ER nurse and even charged in the ED but like I said that was 5 years ago! I feel like I am starting from scratch as I am struggling to remember basic cardiac drugs etc.. My supervisor is someone I know and she is great but any suggestions or any success stories would be welcome. :nurse:

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No advice to give, just wanted to say you have our support and I am sure your supervisor will give you the support you need on the job. Hope you enjoy the change.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

It's like riding a bike...but make sure you focus on your observation skills, especially post cath patients...lots of chest pains, and potentials quick crashes.

That adrenaline surge you left behind when you went to hospice might be on it's way back until you're comfortable again...

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I'm a little confused. This is a step down unit that's called CICU with 4-5 patients? Is this an intermediate care floor or more like a tele floor or a combination?

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Specializes in Psych.

Its an intermediate floor. The floor itself has 12 beds; however two are reserved for outpatient caths and are empty at night. The other 10 are for the inpatient's. During day shift they have 3 nurses working, at night just the two. I'm working nights. The CICU (at this hospital) stands for coronary intermediate care unit. I know I was confused at first also :)

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Specializes in Psych.

sorry I meant CARDIAC intermediate care unit. lol

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