JEE93

Gotcha! Thanks for the reply and good luck!

Did you get the invite today? I still haven't heard anything...I wonder if they're going in order of application submission? I applied near the end of the application window.

Yes, the CCU I started in is an ICU. I think generally CCUs are considered ICUs, however, this may differ between hospitals/hospital systems. I'm sure there are some that have PCUs, or combined units with intermediate or progressive level patients as well as critical patients. But generally, I believe CCU is an ICU.

Hey there, I also started as a new grad in a CCU. My orientation was 12 weeks. I would say probably about halfway to 3/4s of the way through orientation you should be taking 2 patients by yourself, with your preceptor there as backup and for you to ask questions.

It went pretty well, luckily they haven't given me really sick patients on my own yet. I feel "okay" with more stable, straightforward patients. I am in a CCU, so honestly probably easier than CVICU. But, we do get a lot of different types of patients, and sometimes not even cardiac patients just depending on the census of our hospital's other ICUs. Especially now with COVID being so overwhelming, it seems like we're getting such a variety of patients all the time. Whereas, my hospital's CVICU pretty much gets the same type of patients and care is pretty standard/structured. Honestly, no I have not really studied at home. But, as a new grad, my hospital requires us to attend many classes at the hospital when we are first hired. We have had classes on ABGs, EKGs, temp pacers, Basic cardiac arrhythmia, ICU hemodynamics and then we also have a RN skills day and ICU device day. So that was definitely a lot, but I felt they were very helpful. I have signed up to do school full time...I'm honestly just ready to get finished with my BSN, so really want to try to do it in 1 year. I hope I can manage!

@MoJo-Jo-Jo Just checking back in...how is it going for you doing part time? How did your orientation on the unit go? Are you managing work and school well? I actually switched schools and am supposed to start my RN-BSN this month. The school I had initially been accepted to was requiring me to take 2 additional general education courses, which I did not want to do. So, I decided on another school and am about to start. I just finished orientation on my unit, first night on my own was Christmas night! I'm nervous about starting my BSN while still being new and now on my own, trying to still get the hang of things. Hoping it will go okay! I'm interested to see what your experience has been...hopefully it's going well for you!

I’m in SC, enrolled at USC Aiken. They have like 6 start dates per year. Their classes are 7 weeks in length.

Following! I'm in the same boat. Just graduated, starting in CCU next week, and supposed to start RN-BSN mid-October.

I'm not sure what part of the country you are in, but I just finished my ADN and I'm in the southeast. I was offered and accepted a job in CCU as a new grad, with only an ADN. When I was first offered the job, it was an expectation that I would complete my BSN within 2 years. Honestly, this is becoming very common for hospital work, at least in my area. However, after I accepted the job, I have heard that they are actually doing away with that requirement at my hospital system, but still encouraging it. Also, as a new grad ADN, my pay starts at $27.50/hr at my hospital, BSN is $28/hr. At another local hospital, new grads are making $29/hr regardless of degree. I do plan to complete my BSN. Many nurses I have worked with and talked to have commented on how easy it was as long as you just did the work...it's only 1 additional year and can be completed entirely online. Some online programs can also be completed sooner than 1 year, I've heard in as little as nine months. I would definitely say it is worth it for such a short program and, from what I've heard, very little effort. As far as getting a job with only an ADN, it's definitely doable!!

Thanks so much! That helped me a lot! I think over time with more practice and experience it will become easier and make more sense. It seems daunting to me right now as a new grad. Thanks for the explanation!

I have a question, may have been answered already (not sure I'm kind of confused). New grad here...I have always wondered this. If you have two meds/fluids running at different rates, but giving through the same IV site, should you have the faster med/fluid connected directly to the IV with the slower med/fluid y-sited? I have always wondered if you hook the slower one up first, then y-site the faster one, the faster med/fluid won't actually be going at the fast rate, but instead will be slowed down by the slower med/fluid line. Is this right? Or am I just confused? I have always thought it made sense to hook the faster med/fluid directly to the IV and y-site the slower meds/fluids, but during my practicum my preceptor did not do this and I even asked one time if we wanted one med hooked directly to the IV since it was running faster and the slower one y-sited and she told me no...?‍♂️. So, try to help me understand please! I never know which one I should hook up first! Thanks!

I would definitely think r/o acute CVA and checking BGL would be the priority here. In addition to what everyone else has mentioned, what is the pt's fluid volume status like? Is pt on blood thinners? Any reason to suspect bleeding somewhere, which could account for lower BP and compensatory tachycardia. Does the pt need any additional IV fluids - (fluid volume deficit)? Also, could there possibly be some infectious component - possible sepsis? Pt has COPD, maybe PNA? What's the temp, labs? Hypotension, tachycardia, AMS/hard to awaken could all possibly be due to sepsis.

I used to work as a medical scribe in a level 1 trauma center and we had clinical pharmacists who worked in the ER. They were there for docs to bounce ideas off of and would give advice about which med/dose was most appropriate for whatever they were treating. They would also respond to codes and pull up meds, prepare meds/drips, offer suggestions. I never knew pharmacists could act in such a role and thought it was so cool! I think you might have to do a 1-2 year pharmacy residency though, not exactly sure. But you could look into it!

Thanks everyone for your advice, I really appreciate it! Sorry I've been absent for a little while. I have been picking up a lot of extra shifts and I have recently been sick. Just saw that the position was posted on New Year's Eve, but it is actually a position in the CCU. The manager is over both the CCU and CVICU at this hospital, and the units are like sister units. They are right beside each other and connected. Nurses from CV float to CCU when coverage is needed. The job was also posted as PRN. So really not sure what to do at this point. I could apply and if I was offered the job, go part time in the ED to maintain my benefits, however, it would cost me more to do this. And I would really only be able to do one day per week in CCU. As the job isn't in the exact unit I was hoping for, I'm not sure how helpful it would be. However, with the manager being the same manager for CV, I still might have a chance at an RN job in CV after graduation if I have worked for her in CCU. Honestly, the fact that the job is PRN makes me want to just stay where I am. I don't know if I mentioned this earlier, but I am married with a child, so I need to keep my insurance, which is why I'm so unwilling to give up a FT position. However, I really don't want to make myself look bad with the CVICU/CCU manager by not applying when I directly emailed her to inquire about a position. I think I've gotten myself into a difficult position. Thanks for your advice and encouragement! Just wanted to give an update.

I've just heard it's limited to blood sugars, helping turn/clean, and maybe help ambulating. I've heard it's mostly stocking/gathering supplies on the unit. I guess in comparison to what I do in the ER, it's just a lot less patient care. And I'm getting this from people I know who have worked in ICUs within my hospital system. And I'm not sure how much I would be exposed to the actual nursing aspects of the job, not sure how much it would help me learn prior to beginning as a nurse. But I do see how it would be beneficial with learning the ins/outs of the unit and getting to know the staff/making an impression. I do think it would be beneficial, just trying to weigh the pros/cons of switching up jobs at this point and possibly losing FT hours/benefits, if it's not going to help me THAT much. I appreciate your input! I will definitely apply and see where it goes. Thank you!