Precepting in CCU; Advice?

[MedicalPartisan]

I know this sub-forum isn't necessarily for students, but I figure the experienced nurses would know best. If you could give me a condensed list of the most important things I should look over to be best prepared, what would it encompass? Thanks!

[crashcartqueen, BSN, RN]

Awesome! You will get to see a lot of things in the CCU and it is very interesting! It will be a great learning opportunity and give you the chance to appreciate the critical care/ICU world.

So some things to look over:

Cardiac Drugs/Drips

Insulin/Heparin Drips

Care for Ventilated Patients

Sedation medications and their side effects/administration guidelines/etc

EKG monitoring and interpretation

Swans/Art lines

Chest tube basics

Electrolytes (this gets very picky in critical care - any slight change can be significant)

Review other lab values (blood count values, WBC's, UA values)

Code Procedure (esp. drugs that are pushed i.e. epi, amiodarone, etc)

You will impress you preceptor if you know Vanc levels :)

I am sure I am missing some things but those are big things I have seen in ICU/CCU. Don't stress too much over it though - your preceptorship is a time for you to learn so you are not expected to know it all. Just review and look over the things I mentioned - you don't need to be an expert in them. Many nurses that do not work in critical care are not as familiar with some of those things if they do not use them regularly, so don't sweat it!

Most of all enjoy and be a good sponge!

[MedicalPartisan]

Thank you so much! I will take all of that advice. The first day was phenomenal. My preceptor is amazing. Unfortunately, she is leaving to do travel nursing so I'll only get a few shifts with them but I will make the most out of it. You always hear people say it, but you can't comprehend it until you're there; I got to experience more yesterday than in any clinical day in the entire program! While I wouldn't feel comfortable starting in CCU (nor is it common for a new grad), I am absolutely loving it so far. My preceptor is willing to go at a pace that I feel comfortable at which is awesome. Luckily, I am very ambitious and seek out all opportunities so this isn't hurting me in the slightest, although I could see it being a disadvantage for some. I am so happy, haha.