New Rn

[lildeebone]

I accepted a new nursing position on a Heart Failure Floor (Cardiac Telemetry). Could anyone give me some tips and pointers. I am not scared. I am more nervous and anxious. How is transitioning from a student to the real life.

[ICU56]

Listen to your preceptor.

Learn the rhythms.

Learn the drugs.

Don't slack on I&Os and Fluid restrictions.

Never forget to consider the BP and kidney function in patients you diurese.

Above all listen and learn. Every interaction has the potential to teach you something.

With experience will come confidence and proficiency, give yourself time.

[Murse1919]

Listen to your preceptor.

Learn the rhythms. Yes please do not soley rely on the monitor tech to see any changes you need to know what to look for in many types of rhythms.

Learn the drugs. Since you said heart failure floor be prepared to be giving Lasix and other diuretics so always make sure the patient has labs to be drawn to make sure you aren't killing the kidney or causing potassium to be low.

Don't slack on I&Os and Fluid restrictions. THIS!! Doctors will reem you out if they put "strict I&Os" and nothing is charted. Try to let your patient know how vital this information is because most will actually help you out and write down things for you.

Never forget to consider the BP and kidney function in patients you diurese. I agree :)

Above all listen and learn. Every interaction has the potential to teach you something.

With experience will come confidence and proficiency, give yourself time.

Also just remember to have fun and know that everyone around you was once new to the floor. Don't be afraid to ask questions :)

[nowim clean]

treat the patient not the monitor. you do not have to know every rhythm but you do need to know NSR and that something is wrong. You will learn what is wrong as you grow. Do not be scared to ask for help, and even ask why are we doing this, that kind of thing. For me if I know the reason I can figure out the rhyme.