Internship in CICU, Need help!

anurseuk · Nov 8, 2008

Just make sure you are up to date on your a & p therefore if you don't understand what something is you'll be able to understand how it works when it is explained to you.

Just be keen to learn, go home and read up on things, ask lots of questions and you'll have a great time :) good luck

FlGaNurse · Nov 8, 2008

Thanks alot anurseuk, I will let you know how it goes!

CrazyPremed, MSN, RN, NP · Nov 11, 2008

I did my internship in a CICU, also.

Read about the coronary artery system. Review the basics about strips. Take a look at some ACLS algorithms - just the basics - and read basic stuff about the cath lab and what to do about chest pain.

You don't need to know it all, but if you can shout out some basic facts then you might look like a superstar. I LOVED it! Good luck!

CrazyPremed

billythekid · Nov 11, 2008

basic A&P is always a plus... flow of blood, oxygenated/deoxygenated/mixed venous will help you understand blood gases more easily

how ekg correlates to mechanical contraction.. ie P waves indicate Atrial contraction, etc

These will help you to take info you hear on the floor and be a good basis for building your foundation... it will also help to become familiar with different classes of drugs used on your floor. Rather than memorizing all at once, i found it beneficial to look up and study each drug my current pt was on, even if I knew what the drug was. You'd be surprised the details that most people don't know even about the most common drugs (the devil's in the details, or in this case, the fine print)

Good Luck!

FlGaNurse · Nov 17, 2008

My first 3 days were awesome and I didnt look like an idiot, Thanks guys for your help!