Help! Cardiac Interventional Unit

[Vely01]

Hi everyone! I am new to this group and I really needing help in coming up with a decision. I will be graduating in MAY as an RN.i have been offered a position in the cardiac interventional unit in Tulsa Oklahoma! Is anyone familiar With what that unit does? I know it's usually a 4-1 patient nurse ratio and it deals mainly with post catch lab patients. My question is how different is this unit from the ICU? I've pretty much came to the conclusion that ICU might be a little too advanced for at the moment especially as a new grad.but I would like somewhere where I could "test the waters" I also have a job offer for the cardiacstep-down.im really indecisive on what choice to make. I don't want to make the mistake and start somewhere that could be too advanced! Or maybe I'm just scared because I'm going to be a new nurse! Also lastly is anyone familiar with Tulsa that can give me some insight thanks a bunch!!!!!

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

I only have student clinical experience in CIU and ICU.

The 2 are quite different.

I'd love to get hired in a CIU because all of the pts are similar. (As opposed to med/surg where you have lots of different dx)

In the CIU I was in for 4 months, pt teaching was clear and consistent. The pts were assessed frequently and systematically because the nurses knew about common complications to be aware of.

I've heard that ICU is good for people with OCD. It requires complex knowledge of various high risk problems. When I did ICU clinicals, the nurses weren't rushing and running as much as on med/surg. They had the time to take care of the total pts needs.

Just my student experiences.

[Kssrn404]

Hi! I worked in cardiac step down as a new grad. My hospital gave me a three month long course in cardiac critical care. We had to pass exams and check offs. Then I was placed with a preceptor for three months. The patients were stable post open heart surgery, blood clot, catch lab etc. they were on a tele but no hemodynamics monitoring. Also they didn't have chest tubes or central lines. You need to know your cardiac meds very well. Occasionally there were codes or emergency treatment on post heart surgical rhythms like uncontrolled v fib and v tack and the need to trans pace. I loved it very much. It's a great place to work. You would most likely be paired with two or three pts. Make sure your hospital prepares you and gives you training since you may not have learned all of this in school. Good luck! You can do it��