New to Cardiac

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Specializes in Peds, Float, Ambulatory, Telemetry (new).

I know I am like the 30th person to post something like this but let me be the 31st, :roflmao:.

I just got a job on a cardiac/stroke unit :cat: . I start on the 15th and I am very excited. I realized in the middle of my schooling that I was interested in cardiac. I was placed on a PCU unit for my capstone, although I wanted ICU, I was still eager to learn and get my feet wet. But I am so happy I got PCU.

So here I am, my third job and I have only been a nurse for a year and 6 months (long story). But I am finally in the position I have been trying to get into for the longest.

I know how a cardiac unit can be and I am ready to get in there and learn.

So my question to all of you is, what should I study, what supplies should I have in my orificenal and any general tips (what helps/helped you). It will be a day-12 hour position. I am not sure on nurse to patient ratios just yet, but what I can remember from the interview is they try not to kill you, lol.

I do have calipers, I still need to get my ACLS certification and I know for sure I need to crack open my EKG review book. Anything else will be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

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Congratulations in your new job Avaloncar. I am so glad you posted this, since I am in the same boat. However I am a new graduated and the Cardiac unit will be my first job in an acute care facility. I also need my ACLS, and the nurse manager told me she will send me a to a Basic arrhythmia class :) I am also reviewing my EKG and cardio notes. I was looking for a good book to purchase but they are so many out there that I really don't know which one is the best. I am looking forward for the responses to your threat. Please, is there any book any one can recommend? Thanks.

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Thanks Do-over. Thank you very much!!

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Specializes in Peds, Float, Ambulatory, Telemetry (new).
Congratulations in your new job Avaloncar. I am so glad you posted this, since I am in the same boat. However I am a new graduated and the Cardiac unit will be my first job in an acute care facility. I also need my ACLS, and the nurse manager told me she will send me a to a Basic arrhythmia class :) I am also reviewing my EKG and cardio notes. I was looking for a good book to purchase but they are so many out there that I really don't know which one is the best. I am looking forward for the responses to your threat. Please, is there any book any one can recommend? Thanks.

How exciting! Congrats to you too. I can't wait to hear how things are going for us in like 6 months. It will be interesting to hear if the experiences are the same. I really like this book ECG Workout: Exercises in Arrhythmia Interpretation / Edition 6 by Jane Huff | 9781451115536 | Paperback | Barnes & Noble. It helped me pass my ECG strip test in school. It is really good.

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Specializes in ICU.

Thanks for the book recommendations.

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Specializes in Acute tele/stroke, psych.

Congrats!! Your gonna love it.

If I'm not mistaken that is the same book we teach out of to learn about basic cardiac rhythms. Its awesome and easy to read.

I also work on acute tele and stroke. As far as orificenal.....you don't need anything special beside your stethoscope and a watch.....I actually use the clock on the wall. But if I were you I would get to know your critical drips and hospital policy regarding them. Where I work we get a lot of CHF pt's, so get familiar with diuretics, beta blockers and other cardiac drugs. We also see a lot of AFIB so you will need to know about anticoags, pt/inr, ect. As far as CP goes just remember MONA (Morphine, O2, Nitro, Aspirin). CP'ers also get a statin. The rest will fall into place as you learn about different cardiac disorders and their treatments.

On the CVA side of things try to remember the difference in the types of stroke and the symptoms they present (Left side affects language, ect) Also if the pt was eligible and received TPA. You have to be mindful of the risk for bleeding. We assess for stroke using MEND and we score it using NIHSS. Always remember a stroke pt should remain NPO if they have slurred speech, drooling or facial droop. They should should have a swallow eval done beside a basic bedside swallow test. You never can tell who is a silent aspirator.

Good Luck :)

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