New Grad CVICU

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Good Morning all,

I am about to start my nursing career in the Cardiac ICU. I interned in a MICU before for any critical care nurses I have two weeks til I start what topics should I review so I make a good impression and am well prepared ? Thank you all and I am very excited to gain wisdom from you

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Specializes in Flight RN, Trauma Resus, ACNP Student.

1. Rhythms. You should review EKGs and how to read them, or start learning...it takes a while. You should know your rhythms, identify them, and know the basics of treating them.

2. Drugs. Review common cardiac drugs and why you give them/what they do. You should start to get to know cardiac/vasoactive drips and how to titrate them. Make a small reference card that you can look at. Often people laminate and attach a drip reference card to their name tags. You can also probably find these online and print them. This should include: Dopamine, Dobutamine, Levophed, Nitro, Lidocaine, Epinephrine, Amio, Vasopressin, Nipride, and Esmolol (to start). Also sedation drips like Propofol.

3. It is going to be a lot. Ask questions and don't be shy. As a knew nurse, you are not going to be expected to know everything (or anything really).

good luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Also review sternal precautions and the EBP guidelines for recovery trajectory after cardiovascular surgery. Good luck!

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I wouldn’t worry about leaving a good impression, just work 10 times harder than you ever have before and you will be fine! Work like your life depends on it.

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