judytheoldrn

judytheoldrn has 34 years experience and specializes in Critical Care, Pulmonary Educator.

Latest Activity

1. Not brain-dead, but ripe for transplant

   judytheoldrn replied to gwenith's topic in Neuro

   Sorry, I wasn't suggesting we give MS to brain dead pts, I was saying that I have less of a problem with DCD than when docs order high doses of MS on NON-brain dead, non organ donor patients to "hurry them along." Wonder how they would feel if they ...

2. I passed my certification exam!!

   judytheoldrn replied to rninformatics's topic in Informatics

   That is great news. It looks like I will be training as a superuser at our system. Is there such a thing as formal courses that are non-credit/informational that don't cost tons of money?! Something that may lead up to certification or simply be u...

3. informatics education advice

   judytheoldrn replied to betbelhell's topic in Informatics

   Thanks, that does clear things up a bit - so it's as if they've already "Built the database" and we just enter the records, etc. - our specific data into those fields, eh? Got it. Think I can do that. Don't want to appear a "wannabe" when I get th...

4. informatics education advice

   judytheoldrn replied to betbelhell's topic in Informatics

   rninformatics: could you post a general link here for the groups you mentioned? I did pm you, but you are very busy I am sure, or perhaps not around this weekend? Pls check your pm Judy :an!:

5. informatics education advice

   judytheoldrn replied to betbelhell's topic in Informatics

   I understand all that, but it was said that the nurses built the screens that we saw - perhaps the program is simpler than we think and a little education is enough to allow them to name fields and enter data points. . . . I will check it out further...

6. informatics education advice

   judytheoldrn replied to betbelhell's topic in Informatics

   I guess I am wondering how these other nurses have been able to assist with the building of some of the screens - they work in IS but not for that long and as far as I know, there is no requirement to take any kind of course. I am told I will be give...

7. informatics education advice

   judytheoldrn replied to betbelhell's topic in Informatics

   Thanks, Sues! I know how to paddle a canoe, LOL! But I do find kayaks a bit easier to control. I have not started working directly in the department yet, but I have been selected as a super user and we are getting the system up and ready for use ...

8. informatics education advice

   judytheoldrn replied to betbelhell's topic in Informatics

   Great news - I've been placed on another committee - actually two more if you count the two halves. I am also looking at becoming a superuser really soon - training is this summer and I think I am accepted at the department!! Is there a certificate...

9. Neuro ICU - Do you talk to brain-dead patients?

   judytheoldrn replied to talaxandra's topic in Neuro

   Vacating an ICU bed is the last thing on my mind. What I am saying is that if she is given a choice, then she will always feel as tho it was she who decided to stop care, and she will have to live with that decision for the rest of her life. Where...

10. NG Tube Help!! I need a nurses assist.

    judytheoldrn replied to butterfly80's topic in General Nursing

    Hi, Maury - so sorry about your mom. Must be really hard being the one with the medical knowledge and so far away. I think your mom would be so much more comfortable with the PEG. And it doesn't mean surgery at all. They will pass a scope with th...

11. Neuro ICU - Do you talk to brain-dead patients?

    judytheoldrn replied to talaxandra's topic in Neuro

    valkyria - thankfully you were not brain dead. Coma is soooo different. I of course always talk to my comatose patients and encourage the families to do so as well - with good aliquots of rest!

12. Neuro ICU - Do you talk to brain-dead patients?

    judytheoldrn replied to talaxandra's topic in Neuro

    OK, this is what I don't get. Why are these people given a choice? If he's dead, he's dead. You can't treat dead. Why put the burden of choice on the family? You tell them you are taking him off the vent and then you do it - it doesn't solve a...

13. informatics education advice

    judytheoldrn replied to betbelhell's topic in Informatics

    I am also thinking of going into the NI field - I have 35 years of Critical Care/Ventilator Stepdown (8y) experience and we are currently setting up a new computerized documentation system. We have purchased the software and are in the process of ge...

14. Neuro ICU - Do you talk to brain-dead patients?

    judytheoldrn replied to talaxandra's topic in Neuro

    Absolutely, they are the ones we are caring for, rather than the patient once brain death has been established.

15. Vent/Trach nurses: If a trach becomes dislodged, what do you do?

    judytheoldrn replied to Dunno?'s topic in General Nursing

    When I was Nurse Ed on a ventilator stepdown, I got signed off on changing trachs, then signed off other staff nurses on each shift - hoping that there would always be someone there who had done it at least once. It can be tricky based on the individ...