What to expect on a CVSU floor?

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Hey all,

I am incredibly excited to be starting my nursing program on Monday!! I found out today that my clinical unit for this first semester is on a Cardiovascular Step-Down Unit. It's a 35 bed unit that cares for cardiothoracic post-operative & post-procedure patients. I was wondering what I should expect to see on this floor? I'm assuming that most of the patients will be on some sort of telemetry. Thanks for all your help!!

Amanda

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Are your walking shoes broken in? These patients are different from the others in the hospital in that they are required to do a certain amount of walking several times a day. In my hospital you will see them walking laps around the unit with a nurse or aide; they will be often pushing a walker that holds one or more chest tube drainage unit.

Cardiovascular stepdown patients are generally on telemetry. AV wires and chest tubes are often present.

Respiratory issues are a common problem. Lots of patients have had lung lobe removed for cancer, and can have trouble breathing sometimes.

Generally I like to float to CV stepdown. Total care patients are unusual there because the total care patients are often not surgical candidates.

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Did you end up liking the CVSU? How was your experience there? I know I'm interested in telemetry, and someone suggested that I consider stepdown units as well.

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I loved the CVSU!! The nurses were all so helpful and very very knowledgeable. Each week I had a great patient! I saw plenty of chest tubes, crepitus, incisions, etc. I thought it was an awesome floor! There was a lot of opportunities to learn.

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SweetNSassyRN2B - I just noticed you were on one of the other threads that I posted on today as well!!!! Was this CVSU @ christ in cincy???? I'm graduating in August of this year and trying to decide where to do my preceptorship/hopefully get a job.... I'm considering their critical care internship program, or applying to it at least. I really want to work on a cardiac floor. Do you like christ in general? I feel like my writing that down as my preference for school or applying there is taking a huge leap of faith since I haven't had any clinicals there.

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Yes it is the CVSU at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. I have loved every thing about Christ. I know several people who work there as RN's and they said they wouldn't work anywhere else! I've applied for a few PCA positions there, and I really hope I get them! I've heard good things about their Critical Care Internship program as well. I'm very interested in PACU, so I'll be applying for the CCI as well. I know the program is tough, but it really does prepare you well!

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