New Job: Monitor Tech ICU

[teletech111]

Hey guys, so I'm new to the hospital game and I just got a job as a Monitor Tech here at the new hospital (we aren't open yet). Anyways I have no background in telemetry/rhythms/etc... except for the basic course they gave us. So my question for ya'll is if you have any tips, websites that are good for practice rhythm reading, or anything I should watch out for in general.

One of the things I'm kinda worried about is communicating issues to the nurses on tele floor and IMCU, I'm moderately assertive with others and I don't want to be ugly in order to get stuff done. Thoughts?

[teletech111]

Hey guys, so I'm new to the hospital game and I just got a job as a Monitor Tech here at the new hospital (we aren't open yet). Anyways I have no background in telemetry/rhythms/etc... except for the basic course they gave us. So my question for ya'll is if you have any tips, websites that are good for practice rhythm reading, or anything I should watch out for in general.

One of the things I'm kinda worried about is communicating issues to the nurses on tele floor and IMCU, I'm moderately assertive with others and I don't want to be ugly in order to get stuff done. Thoughts?

[boricualuna]

Congrats on the job. Let me guess Scott and White in College Station.

[teletech111]

Alright so I'm new to the hospital area, just got a job at the new hospital that opened here. Part of the very beginning is that I'm switching between day and night shift this week. Any tips for doing so and not totally burning out and having to stay up for days at a time?? Thanks guys!

[LisalaRN99, BSN, RN]

I switch back and forth from day shift to an occasional night shift, but it is not a requirement of my job. This seems to be normal in many hospitals though. When I've done it, I make myself stay up as late as possible so I can sleep the morning of the day I am scheduled for night shift. Have room darkening curtains too! My bedroom is so dark I need to turn on a light in the daytime! Definitely turn off your phones! Good luck!

[teletech111]

thank you! and yes, how'd you know?

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Moved to our Cardiac Nursing forum

ecg learning center

texas arrhythmia institute - educational material - www.txai.org

guide to arrhythmias

Notes on ICU Nursing

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Duplicate threads merged

[Stoogesfan]

I work as a monitor tech. My advice is to catch a cardiologist and ask questions, in my experience they don't mind teaching you and some even seem to enjoy it. Also ask the RNs on the floor as well. My unit has several telemetry books that I look through a lot. Good luck.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

Skillstat 6 Second ECG Simulator is a great tool to help learn your rhythms. Knowing your rhythms is key if you're going to be a monitor tech. There are also a lot of EKG books available. I heard Dale Dubin's Rapid Interpretation of EKGs is an excellent book but I personally have never used it.