Just got my 1st job--Cardiac unit

[jlrose]

i just got my first job!!!! it's a day shift on a cardiac unit at mountainside hospital. it's a busy floor--but there's lots to learn and lots of experience to gain there. i tell myself that everytime i get too nervous and freak out, lol. a fellow graduate of mine got hired on the same unit in august. so, if he can survive, so can i! right? lol anyway---just wondering if any cardiac nurses have any advice to offer a newbie?

[jlrose]

Just wondering why people are viewing but no one is replying to my post.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

hello, jlrose,

check out this sticky in the ccu forum for helpful information. good luck with your new position.

helpful information for the unit

[suzy253, RN]

Congrats! I work a telemetry unit--I'm sure you'll like your new job.

[smilin_gp]

Congrats! I'm on a floor that is cardiac, transplant and surgical overflow. I am pretty new too, and my only advice is to take it all in, and when things do get busy and you feel overwhelmed, remember to ask for help, delegate, and take things one step at a time :)

[SillyLilly]

Just wondering why people are viewing but no one is replying to my post.

Ha!

Good luck!!

I too may be starting on a tele unit.

I plan to read what alot of other newbies wrote, and read their responses. Alot of them are about meditating and journaling. I freak out easily, and even though i will keep a positive attitude, I know how I am.

Keep us updated!

[muffie, RN]

ask ask ask. one day at a time.it will all come in time.lots a luck and congrats girlfriend. i love cardiology. the heart is so fascinating. you learn new stuff every day.

[augigi, CNS]

Sounds obvious, but know your normal labs (esp electrolytes) and ECGs, common arrhythmias. It may be useful to write them down in a small notebook that you can carry around. The good news is that you will learn an incredible amount that will be useful whatever unit you end up on! The bad news is that there is a lot to learn, but just remember that you are a beginner and noone expects you to know it all at once - you are there to learn!

Enjoy it!

[jlrose]

Sounds obvious, but know your normal labs (esp electrolytes) and ECGs, common arrhythmias. It may be useful to write them down in a small notebook that you can carry around. The good news is that you will learn an incredible amount that will be useful whatever unit you end up on! The bad news is that there is a lot to learn, but just remember that you are a beginner and noone expects you to know it all at once - you are there to learn!

Enjoy it!

Thanks so much. I was offered another position at the same time and was going back and forth with which one to choose. I felt that this one would be most beneficial to my career long term. I can def use the skills and experience I'll get on this unit no matter where my career takes me.

[augigi, CNS]

Yep, when I started my educator said "if you know the heart, you can figure the rest out". Of course, she was biased, but I'd have to say it opened a lot of doors for me, and there is heaps of opportunities to learn if you are keen.

Best of luck.

[floridaRNtoo]

Good luck with your new assignment. I have worked telemetry on a surgical step-down unit for 6 years. My best advise; If you don't know,ask. If you just did a 'gut check' and you think something isn't right with your patient, bring in another nurse for a second opinion. I am a unit preceptor for nurses new to our unit. I am more nervous about the new nurse who doesn't ask questions than about the one's who do!

[lalrn]

I started my first nursing job on a telemetry/cardiac step down unit in June. How's it going? I find it pretty overwhelming at times. So much to learn!! I'm going to try to stick it out for a year anyway.