NURSING: SPECIALTIES
Within Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, nurses can
grow and excel in the following areas:
Critical Care
Recognized as a Top 100 Cardiovascular Institution
by Solucient, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
offers high-level, evidenced-based practice
provided by dedicated registered nurses, physicians
and a multidisciplinary team. Our nurse-to-patient
ratios are excellent and our comprehensive
orientation program, which includes Gateway to
Critical Care for
novice RN staff, provides individualized attention
and mentoring. Our culture allows clinical
staff to work closely together, sharing knowledge
and skills.
Our Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) provides
care to post cardiothoracic patients as well
as the general surgical population with a concentration
of vascular, thoracic, ENT and orthopaedic
patients. The
staff working in this state-of-the-art facility
develop a diverse skill set supported by our
nursing education department. Staff receive
training in the management of patients with
an Intra Aortic Balloon Pump, Continuous Renal
Replacement Therapy, and Ventricular Assist Devices.
With an opportunity to focus on our patients'
needs, our Nurse-patient ratio is 1 to 2 or 1
to 1. In addition, our patients are remotely
monitored by Penn E-lert eICU®.
The Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) provides
care to a diverse patient population including
patients with advanced pulmonary disease, sepsis,
gastrointestinal disease and renal disease.
Our 1 to 1 or 1 to 2 nurse-patient ratios are supplemented
by Penn E-lert remote monitoring. Staff education
and training are an important component of
the orientation of staff to function in the
highly acute unit.
Within our Coronary Care Unit (CCU), we provide
care to patients with acute myocardial infarctions,
post cardiac interventions, cardiogenic shock,
and heart failure. Specializing in high acuity
patient populations, the PPMC CCU is sought after
and viewed by many referring physicians as their
tertiary care unit of choice in the Philadelphia
area. This state-of-the-art facility provides
patients with cutting edge technology and multiple
treatment options with technology that includes
intra aortic balloon pumps, continuous renal
replacement therapy, drug eluding stents, hypothermia
management for post cardiac arrest victims as
well as other innovative treatments.
The Thoracic Surgery and Heart Failure Unit provides
care to thoracic surgical patients, heart failure
patients and pulmonary hypertension patients.
Nurses receive a comprehensive orientation that
includes observation in the operating room, a
critical care course, chest tube management, airway
management, swan ganz catheter monitoring, assisting
with bedside bronchoscopy as well as other related
procedures and research protocols. The Thoracic
Surgery and Heart Failure Unit has long been associated
with advances in the field of heart failure and
pulmonary hypertension management.
Perioperative Services
The expertise and integrity
of our Nursing staff combine with state-of-the-art
technology to create an exciting OR environment. The primary
services performed are general surgery, cardiac,
complex thoracic and vascular, orthopaedic and ophthalmologic
procedures. Subspecialities include, but are not
limited to, minimally-invasive procedures, otorhinolaryngology,
pain management and podiatry along with guided
imagery for cardiac, ENT and ortho surgeries. Our
comprehensive Gateway to OR program allows
both novice staff or new-to-OR Nurses the opportunity
to gain the knowledge and skills necessary
to function competently as a Registered Nurse
in the OR.
Our OR is one of a few in the region that utilizes
the Automated Endoscopic System for Optimal
Positioning (AESOP) during cardiac surgery. Penn
Presbyterian Medical Center is also one of only a
handful of facilities across the country offering
the robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery. This
minimally invasive, high-tech treatment offers
a number of advantages, such as filtering even
minute tremors of the human hand so to provide steadiness.
We continue to grow the robotic-assisted laparoscopic
surgery services.
As patients transition into our Post-Anesthesia
Care Unit, our Nurses collaborate with the
anesthesia, surgical and medical staff to provide
an excellent atmosphere to learn. Patients
who pass through our Short-Term Procedure pre
and post-op bays will encounter an environment
in which they and their families are encouraged to
be involved in the care.
Emergency Department
Our Level II Emergency Department continues to
expand. Offering a fast-track program supported
by nurse practitioners, we evaluate medical
and surgical needs 24 hours a day, 365 days
a year.
Cardiology
World-renowned for our expertise
in cardiology, our clinical staff works closely
together and shares their knowledge. Within
our busy, fast-paced Telemetry Units, Nurses gain
valuable experience while being exposed to innovative
treatments for cardiac patients, including providing
glycemic control and care of post-op open heart and
angioplasty patients. Nurses
also work within our Cardiac Catheterization
and Electrophysiology Labs where their assessments
and interventions are vital to patient outcomes.
ACLS certification is required for all of our
cardiology nurses.
Medical/Surgical
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center offers one of
only a few programs in the country designed
specifically for acutely ill patients over the age
of 65 - Acute Care of Elders (ACE) Unit. Here, nurses
find a unique team approach to multidisciplinary
care and ongoing gerontologic education. On our Medical
Unit, the staff cares for a variety of diagnoses
including GI, renal, oncology, and respiratory disorders.
Our dynamic, multispecialty surgical units offer
a wide range of experiences. With a major emphasis
on the full range of orthopaedic surgeries,
you will have the opportunity to develop a clinical
focus for your practice. In addition, nurses will experience
cutting edge minimally invasive surgeries,
both in GI and urology, with our robotic prostatectomies
being unique to our area.
Behavioral Health
Our Behavioral Health Department allows nurses
to utilize a variety of treatment modalities
within a structured team environment. Our units
include an Inpatient Detoxification and Rehabilitation
Unit and an Inpatient Adult Acute Psychiatric and
Dual Diagnosis Unit.
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