Adapted to the Needs of New Nurses

To ensure qualified nursing team, the nursing management team has developed a general and specific orientation programme adapted to the needs of new nurses and candidates to the profession. A two phase12-day general theory programme is followed by a specific 10 to 15-day practical orientation on the nursing units, supported by our preceptorship program.

Programme Content:

• Structure and mission of Nursing services
• Heart anatomy and physiology, and cardiac electrophysiology fundamentals
• Cardiac rhythm
• Pacemakers and defibrillators
• CPR, defibrillation, cardioversion
• Acute coronary syndrome
• Heart failure
• Acute pulmonary oedema
• Heart transplant, ventricular assistance device
• Cardiomyopathy
• Valvular disease
• Endocarditis, myocarditis, pericarditis
• Nursing techniques
• Caring Model
• Charting
• Wound care
• Infection control
• Surgical case management 
• Pharmacology [text missing]
• Nutritional intervention [text missing]
• Patient smoking cessation support programme
• Organ and tissue donation
• Lab procedures

Orientation Program - Intensive Care

This program was created for nurses who work in the intensive coronary care, surgery and medical intensive care, as well as for the float nurses.

Duration: 3 consecutive days

First day: theory

• Respiratory care for intubated patients
• Chest tubes
• Sedation and extubation protocols
• Arterial gases: reading and interpretation

Second day: theory

• Understanding the Swan Ganz and the intra-aortic balloon pump
• Swan Ganz: basic principles and nursing care 
• Intra-aortic balloon pump: basic principles and nursing care 
• Arterial lines and nursing care

Third day: internship

• Pulmonary artery measurements, cardiac output measurements and interpretation of pulmonary artery values
• Arterial gaz readings
• Care of intubated patients