Abstract
This study assessed the perceptions of nurses about the creation and staffing of a dedicated cardiac intensive care unit. Nurses perceived a clinical benefit to cohorting cardiac surgery patients; however, they reported more knowledge deficits in cardiac patient care than other intensive care unit disease categories. More than 25% of nurses reported a patient assignment in which they identified suboptimal skills to provide safe patient care. Years of clinical experience did not reduce concerns for quality of care or safe practice.