NurseDiva08

Hi ATYLER'08...thanks for your reply....your CDU sounds just like the one we will have. Mostly cardiac (which I love). I'm glad that you enjoy it. That's what I was hoping to hear. Your last sentence sums it up for me!!!

Thanks for your reply...ebear is correct. I know that it is like a "sister unit" to our ED that's why I thought I would pose the question in the emergency nursing section...

Hi All, I have been a nurse at my hospital for 3 years in the PCU. I think it's time for a change, and I was offered a position in the CDU which will be opening in June. I know that pts will be there for 23hr obersvation but can anyone share their "day in the life of a CDU nurse"? I would greatly appriecate it. Thanks, Debra :)

Hi Colleen6, I have done the entire paperwork thing, took my boards and passed and I wanted to let you know that there is a second page, it just says "Certification" at the top and you have to sign it. That part does not have to be notarized. Go here: http://www.state.nj.us/oag/ca/medical/nursing.htm it is on page 10. Let me know if you have any other questions....good luck with everything

that's cool....I worked nites my first year as a CNA and I loved it ---- but it started interfering w/school; especially exam days --- so i had to transfer to days and i just figured I'd stick with it.... I went to HFSN in Blackwood....it's through Camden County College....way back in the day I graduated from Rutgers-Camden with a BS in Business and I was an HR guru for 13 years; decided to follow my initial dream of becoming a nurse and made a much needed career change.... I also had a great experience with the nurses on PCU, but for some reason they have that rep......do u know who ur preceptor will be? I remember a nurse named Rae and another one named Lisa and they seemed great to me......

Unfortunately, my promotion letter only states my orientation dates for this week, so hopefully tomorrow I will find out the particulars. I am/was a CNA on the 10th floor (med/surg). I had my clinicals on the PCU a couple of semesters ago and fell in love with it. I always knew I wanted to work with cardiac patients. I had interviewed with both CCU and PCU but the CCU only offered me a night position, so I opted for the PCU days. Which shift will you be working??? please excuse any typos, I'm just so excited to meet someone that will be on the PCU with me.....I don't know anyone on that floor; I did hear that the nurses on the floor are considered "Princesses" = whatever that means....guess I'll be a Princess....lol oh, yeah, i live in edgewater park......but I'm house hunting for condos in voorhees or cherry hill, just so that I will be a little closer to the Coop.

wow that's great.....I'll be working days and I start orientaton tomorrow; but then I have to take the critical care class which i believe is in mid july...between now and then, I think I'll just be on the floor with my preceptor scared to death!!!! are u in burlington county?? I live very close to the riverline here in burlington county......are you doing anything between now and your start date???

Congrats on passing your boards and your new job at the Coop!! I just graduated and passed the NCLEX and I will be working in the PCU at Cooper. Last summer I took the riverline and loved it (I worked as a CNA there)....Cooper has a shuttle that will take you to/from the Camden Transportation Center. It was very convenient and I lost 5lbs...not that I needed to though, lol. Sometimes the shuttle isn't there in a timely fashion, and I would just walk to the hospital. It's about a 3 min. walk - - not too bad. I saved money too b/c I didn't have to pay for parking and I think I spent less than $7/week for the riverline. I am not sure of the cost now though. I stopped taking it b/c of the winter months, and my boyfriend didn't want me walking to the transportation center when it got dark. What floor/unit will you be working on?? Let me know if you have any other questions. Cardiac Nurse Debra :redbeathe

Hi Gompers!! My friend's SIL wanted to stay at the hospital with the baby even though she herself was discharged from the hospital. I believe the hospital was basically just letting her know the policy of visiting hours. The SIL was very upset because she had to leave (being her first baby and all). She was told by the nurses that she needed her rest and that if there were any changes, they would call her. So, she wasn't physically forced to leave or anything like that. Then, after hearing her story, I was confused as to if this was just our little local hospital's policy or if this was a nationwide policy. But now with the info you provided, it def. makes more sense for the mother to get her rest and heal at home, while the baby is being taken care of by the staff w/o too much interference from mother/family. Thanks Again.....this site is awesome!!! Debra

Thank you all for your replies. I have a better understanding now, and it's comforting to know that this is the "norm" for most hospitals. And Woo Hoo!!! after almost a week and a half, the baby came home today!! :balloons:

Hi everyone, I hope this isn't a dumb question, but one of my co-worker's brand new baby nephew was born last Monday, but he was in distress because the cord was wrapped around his neck. He has been in the NICU since then because he is not breathing on his own, and he is not able to keep food down. I was wondering if it's a common practice to NOT ALLOW the mother to spend the nite with the baby if he/she's in the NICU?? I was a little concerned when my co-worker stated that her sister in law had to leave the hospital. Thank you from a 2nd yr nsg student......:balloons:

Nicole, Thank you for sharing your story!! It was totally unexpected. It's amazing how the human spirit works through any obstacle. I can't believe how insensitive mgt. was to your situation; they sound so cold and heartless. Congrats again, on your happiness at Virtua. It's a good thing you found out how unfair mgt. was at Cooper before you were there for a long amount of time. Good Luck in everything you do, and again, thank you for sharing!! I will keep your story in my memory banks for when I apply for work upon graduation. Debra Future RN

Hi Nurse Nicole, Just wondering why you left Cooper after 6 months. I am currently a nursing student at Helene Fuld. I won't graduate until 2008 (ugh!), but I was just wondering what your experience was like working at Cooper. I'm asking, because I am actually intereted in possibly working at Cooper upon graduation. Thanks!!! And Congrats on the position at Virtua!!

daisylizzydog....i too am at Helene....I pm'd you.....

congrats.....which school will you be attending???