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!

I would like some advice regarding a possible position as a patient care tech in a CVICU vs. remaining as an ER tech. I am about to start my last semester of nursing school (I will graduate in July), and I have been working as an ER tech for the past 2.5 years. I have been contemplating CRNA school recently and think I would like to pursue this. I have shadowed some, and the more I see, the more interested I am in this career. I know that CVICU is one of the best ICUs to get experience in for CRNA school, and I might possibly have an opportunity to work as a PCT in a local CVICU. The unit is at a large Level 1 trauma hospital. I have shadowed in this unit (a former coworker works as a nurse there), and I know a few others who have worked in this unit. I originally contacted the CVICU manager months ago regarding shadowing, as well as a possible PCT position, but at the time there was not an opening. She explained that this isn't a normal position, and they already had a PCT employed at that time. I've been told they will occasionally hire a PCT who is in nursing school and about to graduate; sort of as a way to get a foot in the door for an RN job (this is what my former coworker did before graduating nursing school). I reached out to the manager again recently and she said that a few people were interested in a PCT position, and said that she would be posting one soon. Not sure what type of hours this position would be, and I currently work full time. I have a feeling it will be PRN, which may be problematic, as I don't think I can continue working full time and pick up extra while in nursing school. Typically, how difficult is it to get into CVICU as a new grad? Would the PCT position benefit me that much, or is it reasonable to assume that I could get a job as a new grad without having already worked in the unit? Would being a PCT in the CVICU make me more successful and less anxious as a new grad in the unit as opposed to having no experience in CVICU? From what I understand, there is very little patient care provided by the PCT, so not sure how much it would help me. I'm just a little worried about possibly losing full-time hours (including benefits), as well as changing things up while in school. I know there are a lot of unknown variables here, but just trying to seek some advice from people who have been through this or something similar. I appreciate any input. Thanks!

Thanks so much for your advice! I appreciate you taking the time to do this and for giving me a little hope!

Congrats on your acceptance! I see what you mean by a lot of hard work and perseverance. Glad you didn't give up! Thanks for the advice and encouragement! So, what other certifications would you recommend to help one stand out? Also, would you recommend varied experience (e.g. STICU, Neuro ICU, CVICU, MICU) or do you think they prefer one over another? Would it help at all to have some experience in another area, like ER? I know they want critical care and a lot of schools don't consider it critical care, but do you think it would be appreciated because it's different and help an applicant stand out? What about something like PICU or NICU in addition to an adult ICU?

I want to go ahead and apologize for the length of this post. I've got a bit of a complicated background. I initially went to school for nursing at a university straight out of high school. I wasn't very committed, did not do very well, and made some seriously bad grades. I'm not even sure what my cumulative GPA is at the moment. I completed all of my prerequisites for the nursing program and applied to that school. No surprise, I didn't get it. I took some time off and got married, and shortly after had a child. I knew I had to get back in school and finish something to make money for my family. So I retook some classes, and applied to a tech school that considered things other than grades on their application (it was a weighted admissions process). I took the TEAS test and did very well, which gave me a large number of points, and also got points for having experience in a healthcare related field. I was a medical scribe in an emergency room for 3.5 years and I have been an ER tech going on 2.5 years. I was accepted into the tech school's ADN nursing program and have about 8 months left. So far I have made 2 B's and all A's in every other class. I plan to enroll in a BSN immediately following graduation, and I am interested in CRNA school, but I honestly feel like I have no chance because of my prior grades. I just want to know, is there any hope for acceptance considering my past? Is there anything I can do to augment my application? Does scoring high on the GRE help out a lot? What are your thoughts on obtaining a MSN prior to applying to CRNA school to show your ability to do well in master's level coursework? I obviously want to get into an ICU right away and I know they like you to have CCRN. I feel like it is a long shot, but just want to hear some advice from someone who is where I want to be. Thanks for your time!

Okay, so it looks like I'm registered for nursing classes now, but I'm only registered for 9 credit hours for the fall semester. Don't we need to take full time hours for financial aid? I have completed all of the classes except nursing classes, so I'm not sure what else to take. Are there any nursing electives or anything we can take for more hours?

Yes, in GTC4me under webadvisor click on academic profile, then click on my profile. Scroll down and it should tell you your academic programs. Mine says Nursing, Undergraduate, AAS.

It looks like my program has been changed to nursing, but no classes for me yet. I asked Tammy Hayes yesterday when I turned in my health form when we would be registered for classes. She asked me which class I was in, I told her August (I'm guessing it will be different for each start date) and she said hopefully yesterday or today. According to her, some "computer guy" has to do it for her, and he wasn't on campus yesterday. She also said he didn't have to come to the campus today either, but she mentioned he has the ability to do it from home and he told her he would be working on it. So now, looks like we're just waiting on him.

I haven't graduated with a degree, but have some prior college experience. I have also worked as a tech in an emergency department. I had 138 points.

I was accepted into the August class, but am on vacation this week. I'm getting anxious about being able to complete everything in time. I don't have my paperwork with me, but we have to have a 2-step TB test right? Did the paperwork say this needed to be done by August 3rd? And a 2-step takes more than a week to complete doesn't it? How has the process worked for those of you who have already had it placed? Thanks!

I also applied for the Fall and have been following this thread since the beginning. Just wondering if anyone has seen anything yet when they look at their Fall schedule? Nothing on mine. Thanks!