new nurse on cardiac unit

[hzrizen]

Hi all,

I am a new grad that will be working on a cardiac stepdown unit. I am so nervous about this :uhoh21: . My orientataion will be 3-4 months and I will be working on the night shift. what are some key things I need to help me during orientation. How will i get my time management skill up to par? we have a 5-1 ratio of pts that need mimimal assistance or we have a 3-1 ratio of total care patients. I am so nervous because this is a specialty unit but i also figure i can get alot of good experience there.the med surg ratios can be up to 8 or nine pts but they have a 6 month orientation . i am not sure if that is real safe for a new grad.

Please advise.

Thanks

Donna

[pricklypear]

Hi Donna! That sounds like a pretty good unit to start on if you're interested in cardiac nursing. The ratios sound good, and the orientation sounds more than adequate. I started out on a tele floor - 24h post op hearts, cardizem, dopamine/dobutamine, heparin. Nothing titrated, though. Immediate post-op carotids, heart caths, etc... I had a 6 week orientation (new grad) and our ratio on nights was 7-9:1. I survived somehow. I like to think of it as Trial By Fire!! You have it better than I did!!

Keep an eye on the other nurses who seem to have good organizational and time management skills and try their methods out. Ask a lot of questions, and be open to constructive criticism. I kept a little notebook and jotted down little things on drugs, procedures, etc... I also tried to look through the policy and procedures on common things going on in that unit.

Good luck!! Sounds like a good place to be!