Critical Care Orientation

Hi future critical care nurses,

Here were the topics that we covered in my critical care orientation. While the instructor said that this class is not to provoke anxiety, some of the topics made me a little nervous, but I guess that’s normal for anyone doing something for the first time.

Day 1

  • Compensation Mechanisms
  • Pharmacology

Day 2

  • Arctic Sun (Hypothermia therapy)
  • Hemodynamics I – Arterial lines, CVP
  • Intra-arterial thrombolytics

Day 3

  • Hemodynamics II – PA Catheters (Swan Ganz)
  • Hemodynamic Scenarios

Day 4

  • Glycemic Control
  • DKA/HHS
  • Insulin Infusion with Delta
  • Neuromuscular Blockage
  • IABP
  • TPA for MI
  • Temporary Pacing

Day 5

  • Phillips Monitoring
  • Acute Renal Failure
  • Peritoneal Dialysis
  • DIEP

Day 6

  • Mechanical Ventilation
  • Oxygenation
  • ABG Analysis

Day 7

  • Shock States
  • Sepsis

Day 8

  • ACLS Part 1 (BLS + videos)

Day 9

  • Intra-abdominal Pressure (IAP) Monitoring
  • Pulmonary Vein Isolation (PVI)
  • Crash Cart – Defib, Cardioversion, Pacing
  • EPIC Code narrator/critical care flowsheet

Day 10

  • Neuro RRT/tPA
  • Neuro Assessment
  • Neurosurgery
  • Intracranial (ICP) Monitoring

Day 11

  • Exams (Core and Pharmacology)
  • PACU Day – recovery from anesthesia

Day 12

  • ACLS Part 2 (Respiratory, Tachy, Brady algorithms; Test “Megacode”)

At least now I have some background information!

Anyway, happy holidays! Can’t wait to start.

Posted in ICU Nursing.