sparkyRN

sparkyRN

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About sparkyRN

Married, kids, active in church and school activities

Latest Activity

  1. Has anyone attended the University of Wyoming?

    I am finishing my second semester in the UWYO MSN nurse educator option. I can't speak to the undergrad experience since I got by BSN the traditional way from the Univ. of TN many, many moons ago. But , I do think the graduate program is high quality...
  2. Any ideas for MSN/Education online programs?

    I just finished my first class online with UWyo. I'm in the MSN Nurse Educator option which is all online. It is definitely grad level classes which means a lot of reading and analysis on your own then online postings with your classmates. The instru...
  3. What are your nurse:pt ratios?

    There's ideal and then there's reality. Ours is a level 3 referral, 80 bed unit-usually 20 ICU, 40-50 level 2/special care babies. We often carry 3:1 and even occas. 4:1 in ICU, and 5-7:1 in level 2. We'd love to maintain a 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1 standar...
  4. HELP - need vent advice

    The March of Dimes has some great resource material that may be what you need. http://www.marchofdimes.org
  5. A Celebration for Gompers

    Best of luck to you and your husband!
  6. Pregnant and terrified NICU nurse here...

    So late in sending you my congratulations...my apologies. Glad to hear the 2nd trimester is looking up! I hope you'll be able to enjoy the rest of your pregnancy. Well, I don't think any of us really enjoy those last couple of weeks! Take care of yo...
  7. Palm PDA or Pocket PC

    I'd suggest you save your money right now. It's just one more thing to keep up with. Nearly all the info you will need will be on your unit. It may take a little more time to look drugs and lab values up the old fashion way, but you may be more l...
  8. Question...

    You might want to consider the pediatric route. Most children's hospitals, in addition to having a NICU also have a Special Care Unit that is designed for babies past the NICU stage...usually under 1 to 1 1/2 years old. However, you need to be awar...
  9. NICU Vanderbilt...

    Have you toured Carrell Children's Hospital at Vandy? I drove up for a one day nursing seminar and the best part of the day was touring the NICU. It was totally state-of-the-art and much different from the one big room NICU that I am used to. The f...
  10. What type of patient

    I like most anything ICUish. My favorite is the term PPHN with all the gizmos--NO, oscillator, drips, multiple lines. (Can do without the chest tubes, though.) They are such a great challenge and can have quite a miraculous turn around. It's great...
  11. Staying alive in the NICU

    Our situation is a lot like Gompers. I don't mind doing my time in step-down--sometimes the change of pace is nice, and you have to give the newbies some ICU experience so they can work on their skills. I always get a little stir crazy after a coup...
  12. jewelry in the NICU

    We are allowed bands, but no watches. I try not to wear the band either because I find all the handwashing to be so irritating and it becomes increasingly so with jewelry on....probably due to the extra moisture under the band.
  13. Pneumograms

    Tell me what it is...maybe we are doing them, but calling them something else.
  14. Starting PICC lines, getting discouraged

    Thanks for the encouragement and Happy New Year! Sparky
  15. Need Advice For Transfer To Nicu

    I agree with Gompers. Besides the learning curve, the chances are better than good that you will be spending a lot of hours on your feet. There's alot of moving to be done in a NICU not to mention trips to L&D, CT lab, surgery etc. When you sta...