wellnessrn

I work in Cardiac Rehab and have not seen one bit of poo since I've been there (4 years). Before that I worked in ICU, and cleaned up every bodily fluid you could imagine, daily. I don't miss it!!!

Med/surg experience is INVALUABLE, especially as a new grad. You will need to learn medications, diseases, and how to organize yourself. It will give you a solid background, as cardiac patients also have many other ailments (diabetes, strokes, renal failure, etc etc). I suggest you work med/surg at least 6 months, then start looking for telemetry or ICU jobs; take EKG classes, ACLS, etc when you feel able, to give you an edge. I graduated almost 20 years ago, and started in Med/Surg at a really small hospital. As soon as an ICU job came open, I went for it. My manager there was super- she threw me right into classes and ACLS, so I learned alot. After that I moved, and went into an open heart unit; then I moved again to a smaller hospital and worked about 13 years in the ICU. Now I do Cardiac Rehab and stress testing and LOVE it! But all those years of experience are, like I said, INVALUABLE. Good luck to you!! Hope this helps!

This is my first post in here; I was very interested to read all the posts about Cardiac Rehab nursing. I have been the CR nurse for about 1 1/2 years. I worked for about 15 years in ICU/CCU, and it DEFINITELY is a big help! However, since I've started, I have felt somewhat "incompetent" regarding the exercise teaching and goals. I have the prescription to follow from their stress tests, but as for the weight training, etc, I'm just "guessing" in a way. My manager told me to see if I can find some training courses or certification classes I can take. I have looked into ACSM, and the Exercise Specialist Certification, but all of the workshops are several hundred miles away from where I live, and they (management) don't seem thrilled to send me to these. I do love my job, I love all of the patients! (I get alot of presents!). I'm fortunate that I get to work in ICU a couple of days a month, to keep current on the acute stuff. Does anyone have any ideas on additional training? I could probably take some exercise physiology classes at a local college, but I wouldn't really come out with a degree or certification. I am the only staff member in the exercise room when the patients are exercising. I have up to 5 at a time. (there are other staff readily available in the room next door). Any input would be great!!