AmyCardsNP RN, NP

AmyCardsNP is a RN, NP and specializes in Cardiology.

Latest Activity

1. How Cardiac meds r/t BP and HR

   AmyCardsNP replied to Twisted Nurse's topic in Cardiac

   I think a spreadsheet is a great way to study all of the cardiac meds. Rather than memorizing each drug, learn HOW the class of drugs works in the body.... it will be easier to remember side effects...

2. does your cath lab use a safety strap/belt to secure patient to cath lab table?

   AmyCardsNP replied to STemi's topic in Cardiac

   We use velcro straps to secure high risk patients to the cath table for angiograms. Deciding who is "high risk" is at the discretion of the staff in the room. Personally, I consider any patient who is...

3. What to do with your rings when you scrub?

   AmyCardsNP replied to AmyCardsNP's topic in Operating Room

   Thanks for the replies everyone - I don't work in a sterile environment all day (I float back and forth), so I would like to be able to wear my rings for the hours that I am not which is why I was...

4. Advanced Practice Opportunities for OR Nurses. What to do!

   AmyCardsNP replied to The Guy's topic in Operating Room

   As a nurse with experience in an inpatient area as well as a procedural area (as well as a current NP student), I would say that floor nursing will give you a better background for what your long term...

5. What to do with your rings when you scrub?

   AmyCardsNP posted a topic in Operating Room

   Hey everyone- I was wondering what you do with your rings when you scrub? I don't scrub all day long and I don't like being without my rings all day, so leaving them at home or in my locker isn't...

6. how many calories do you think we burn during a 12 hour shift?

   AmyCardsNP replied to shopaholic42488's topic in Health, Stress Management

   I wear a pedometer (http://fitbit.com) every day to work and depending on how busy I am in the ICU, I walk anywhere from 2-6 miles in a 12 hour shift. It's great to see how far I've walked during the...

7. Annual Arrhythmia competency testing

   AmyCardsNP replied to PrairieRN's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

   ACLS recertification does not require you to know rhythm interpretation to pass. It only requires that you recognize fatal rhythms (Vtach, Vfib, Asystole). They do cover heart blocks, afib, aflutter,...

8. Once Bitten Twice Shy

   AmyCardsNP posted a topic in General Nursing

   Yesterday, I had a new experience as a nurse.... I was bitten by a patient. I was team leading (same as a relief charge nurse) & helping another nurse admit a patient to the ICU from the cath...

9. Discontinued/held current medsor never started home meds

   AmyCardsNP replied to nightshift82's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

   It doesn't sound like you use electronic charting yet at your facility, and when you transition, it gets a lot easier to keep track of medications that your patient is on. Instead of having to flip...

10. Are swans going "out of style?"

    AmyCardsNP replied to TemperStripe's topic in MICU, SICU

    It seems to me that the use of Swans depends on the physicians in the unit. I primarily work in a CVICU and all of our patients come back with swans in place s/p open heart surgery. Although, when we...

11. Creatinine levels and need for dialysis

    AmyCardsNP replied to sim-sim future nurse's topic in General Nursing

    I definitely agree with traumaRUs's reply - there are a number of factors that go into deciding if a patient needs dialysis. In my unit, we recently started new dialysis on someone whose Crt was only...

12. NCLEX in different state than graduation state??

    AmyCardsNP replied to jrlh4421's topic in General Nursing

    I graduated in Illinois and took the NCLEX (and am practicing) in Arizona. I didnt have any issues with the

13. Uniforms and dress codes

    AmyCardsNP replied to inkedRN's topic in General Nursing

    We rolled out the same thing about 2 years ago... all of the nurses wear red tops, techs wear navy blue, unit clerks wear teal, etc, etc. When we all learned we were going to have to start wearing...

14. Heat/cool w/ CVC?

    AmyCardsNP replied to MrBubbles's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    We induce hypothermia on patients post witnessed cardiac arrest using external blankets. The way I've often seen patients "go to crap" during the rewarming phase is resultant from electrolyte shifts....

15. PCRN or CCRN

    AmyCardsNP replied to june2009's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    The CCRN has a lot of questions on swans, ABG interpretations, titrating mutliple vasoactive drips at one time, and ventilator weaning. I think the PCCN would be a great test for you to take with your...