Revision of Immediate Post-Open Heart Surgery Education for Critical Care RNs

Responding to the complex nature of critical care is imperative, as extensive clinical judgment is required during those vital moments when patients are experiencing complications related to open heart surgery, post-vessel bypass, or valve replacement. Critical care registered nurses must rely on evidence-based foundational knowledge and skills particular to cardiovascular pathophysiology, hemodynamic monitoring, and medications. This article reports on the critical care educator's revision of the immediate post-open heart surgery curriculum. Mixed educational methods within the plan were foundational to develop clinicians for competent care of these complex patients (within the first 8 hours). The revision included experiential learning and learner centeredness to bolster the learner's confidence, reduce the time to competence, and, most important, ensure positive patient outcomes. Kirkpatrick's classic four-level model provided the framework for evaluation. Lessons learned were discussed following the program initiation.