Help with cardiothoracic competency skills NEEDED!

[JenACNPICU]

hi,

i am an advanced clinical nurse/ecmo specialist in the picu at rainbow babies & children's hospital of cleveland.

i am new to this group as of today!

i am very interested in gathering information on what other centers are doing in the education and skills training/competency check lists for the post-operative care of pediatric cardiothoracic patients.

we are currently re-developing our entire educational program - beginning with embryology.

any information is very helpful!

sincerely

jennifer

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

Let me get back to you...

[nursprl]

Where I work now, new grads have to have one year of unit experience (PICU) before they are enrolled in thoracic cardiovascular (TCV) training, which is offered once a year, sometimes two if the need of TCV nurses is great. Experienced nurses are enrolled whenever the next class scheduled. It's a full day of class starting with a brief overview heart anatomy, types of defects, what the surgical repair may be, and medications used post-op. Then they discuss what to expect when admitting a fresh post-op heart...room set-up, labs that need to be drawn, meds that need to be on hand.

Have to take care of 3 fresh post-ops w/ a preceptor before you can be able to take care of one on your own..there is a checklist that must be completed as well. There is usually one other TCV nurse on the unit if you have questions and if the patient is really critical an MD.