Recommendations to Prepare For CVICU as New Grad?

[respectnerds]

Hello,

I was recently offered a position in a CVICU New Grad Residency program. I've started looking at the basics like drips, ABG interpretation, EKGs, common CVICU patients and procedures, etc. but I'm still not quite sure what else I should look into. 

What kind of resources, books, podcasts, and/or YT videos would you recommend? For the new grad ICU nurses out there, how did you determine what to study and how often did you? 

On another note, what advice do you have outside of studying related materials? I am moving to a completely different state in a big and unfamiliar state. I'm young, no SO, no furry children, no actual children. I have a close classmate I graduated with who ended up taking a positon at the same hospital. I'm also taking my BSN courses on top of this plus a grad course.

Thank you! I am so excited to start. I know you can't learn everything a book but I feel it would help me be a little less anxious. 

[RNperdiem, RN]

You will find out a lot of what you need during orientation. The most used resource for me has been the hospital policy and procedure manual.

For a new grad, the time before your job is a good time to take care of yourself and do the things that will maintain your health, energy and morale.

Before the job begins, fully unpack and organize your living space. Work is tiring and it is nice to come home to a clean, organized space.

Plan how you will feed yourself healthy food. A lot of my coworkers love their slow cookers, others cook large batches on their days off.

If you will be driving to work, actually drive during the time of your commute and time how long it takes to get to the actual unit.( I work on a university campus, and park-and-ride lots are standard for new employees). 

If you will be working night shift, experiment with ways to make your bedroom properly dark. If noise is a potential problem, look into sources of white noise. 

If you are not physically fit, start daily walks if your living situation permits. Fitness and stamina will help you through the long shifts.