wanting experience in ccu

[dayshiftnurse]

hi, im an icu nurse, but want to learn more about ccu. i am starting my last course towards my ccu certificate before my placement in the summer ( i hope!) but still feel like i have so much to learn...even being on this board, the number of questions and discussions is really over my head.

i feel i need a good textbook reference for ccu and dont know where to start... a lot of my placement will depend on what i want to learn..i feel like i need to see/learn everything. i dont feel comfortable yet with pacing, espcecially temporary pacing insertion. i would like to get expereince with cv surg, also with PA line management...and i guess more knowledgable about cardiac drugs. we mainly work with levo/vaso/amio infusions; at times dobutamine and epi. rarely use things like propanolol or lopressor infuions (only metprolol ivpb), or dobutrex; never used milrinone or anything like that.

we get a lot of experience in our unit, but all cardiac patients that are not vented go to ccu.

can anyone help me with some direction?

thank you!