Nursing Care of Cardiac Surgery Patients

Target Population: Nurse practitioners working with cardiac surgery patients. Objectives: The course focuses on communication and nursing skills required to manage patients pre and post cardiac surgery, including the ability to recognize the signs and symptoms of a hemodynamically unstable patient; recognition and optimal treatment of life threatening arrhythmias; CPR; and precautions and proper use of electrical therapy devices including AED and external pacemaker. Course Description: Task trainers, full-body patient simulators, and simulated patients (actors) present cases in small group teaching stations. Training culminates in simulations using advanced audio-visual equipment to create realistic intensive care environments complete with sound effects.