New RN hired for Cardiac Stepdown

Deebuzz, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2015

Howdy from Houston, TX!
I am a new RN, passed boards in November 2014! Yesterday I interviewed and was offered a position on a CV Intermediate Unit which I happily accepted! Now it is the aftermath and I am ******** bricks lol.
I have been an LVN for a year working on a rehab/nursing unit while pursuing my RN. I spent four years prior to that as a surgical tech in the operating room. I realize that this will be extremely different from what little nursing experience I have and would like to know what could I do between now and the time I start to prepare to care for cardiac patients.
Any resources and/or pearls of wisdom would be greatly appreciated as I am very eager and excited to begin my career in cardiac nursing! Thank you in advance for your feedback!
Night ya'll!

I am also a new RN on a Cardiac progressive care unit. I am super nervous but so ready to learn..how is your position going do far?

nursejessica2013 · Mar 7, 2015

I am also a new RN on a Cardiac progressive care unit. I am super nervous but so ready to learn..how is your position going do far?

I start on Monday so the jitters are definitely kicking in. Have you started your position yet?

blackvans1234 · Mar 8, 2015

I started on Cardiac stepdown in November as a new grad.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. Know who your resources are. Make sure you read up on the common diseases you'll be seeing -CHF, MI, PE, Sepsis, COPD exacerbation,

Brush up on the important tele rhythms and BLS. Everything on stepdown is about prioritizing. Day shift is madness.

Oh, and make sure you learn where emergency equipment is. (Where's that darn CPR bed lever!!?)

nursejessica2013 · Mar 8, 2015

I started on Cardiac stepdown in November as a new grad.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. Know who your resources are. Make sure you read up on the common diseases you'll be seeing -CHF, MI, PE, Sepsis, COPD exacerbation,
Brush up on the important tele rhythms and BLS. Everything on stepdown is about prioritizing. Day shift is madness.
Oh, and make sure you learn where emergency equipment is. (Where's that darn CPR bed lever!!?)

Thank you so much!!! Tomorrow is the big day. I know the first week is pretty much just hospital orientation but I can't wait to get in there!

evastone, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2015

Thank you so much!!! Tomorrow is the big day. I know the first week is pretty much just hospital orientation but I can't wait to get in there!

Good luck! I've been working nights on a tele unit for four months now and definitely agree with blackvans1234. I spent quite a bit of time studying the EKG rhythms and asking others what they thought of my interpretations. I also looked up the medications I was giving my patients so that I could anticipate any problems that would involve needing or holding future meds (or deciding whether or not it is necessary to give medications before panicking that a patient is refusing it. Believe me, I have lost lots of precious time trying to convince a confused patient to take XYZ when they weren't really important to take!) Don't worry if you feel like you're drowning. I still often need help and from what the other nurses tell me, that's normal for anyone working in an acute care setting for the first time. Make the most of your orientation. If you have questions ASK. There is no such thing as a silly question and your superiors will see that you are invested in this job.