UnbrokenRN09 BSN

UnbrokenRN09 has 15 years experience as a BSN and specializes in Cardiac step-down, PICC/Midline insertion.

Latest Activity

1. Policy writing?

   UnbrokenRN09 posted a topic in Management

   Can anyone give me some guidance on policy writing? I work for a small infusion company. We previously had a DON and now no longer operate with one since we only have 3 FT nurses. I discovered some of our policies are lacking. What are poli...

2. Strange symptoms after flushing PICC....suspect arterial placement?

   UnbrokenRN09 replied to UnbrokenRN09's topic in Infusion

   My boss read a case study about a patient with an arterial PICC and that particular patient had symptoms that were similar, although it didn't make much sense to me.....I would tend to think the symptoms would be instant with an arterial placement. ...

3. Strange symptoms after flushing PICC....suspect arterial placement?

   UnbrokenRN09 posted a topic in Infusion

   Just wondering if any of you have ever taken care of a patient that had a picc line inadvertently placed in the artery and what symptoms the patient had, specifically when flushed or during or after an infusion? I don't honestly see how this can hap...

4. New to placing picc lines

   UnbrokenRN09 replied to crumbsRN's topic in Infusion

   You actually want to decrease your tourniquet time to reduce the risk of blood clots. I undo it after I've marked my spot, then I set up my field and I re-tighten just before gowning up. I also suggest adjusting your contrast on the US to a lig...

5. Vascular Access RNs

   UnbrokenRN09 replied to wolfgangRN's topic in Infusion

   I would say you’re more than qualified. Unless they want the 2 year minimum to ensure you’re dedicated? I would look for something else honestly. lol. I don’t think I’d stick around for 2 years waiting to train. You have clearly mastered the US ...

6. Vascular Access RNs

   UnbrokenRN09 replied to wolfgangRN's topic in Infusion

   I think it just depends on the needs of your particular facility ?‍♀️. Most ads I see for PICC nurses require experience. It’s a highly specialized skill. I didn’t have to be on the team x number of years to get trained, just demonstrated interest...

7. Vascular Access RNs

   UnbrokenRN09 replied to wolfgangRN's topic in Infusion

   At my hospital we learn to place USG PIV’s first, then start placing midlines. After so many successful PIV’s and midline placements, you start on PICCs. It’s definitely easier to learn PICCs if you already know how to set up sterile field and acce...

8. Picc line accidentally pulled out 5 cm.

   UnbrokenRN09 replied to ncrete1220's topic in Infusion

   We do wire exchanges fairly regularly at my facility. Not a single one of them has resulted in a Clabsi. When proper sterile technique is followed the risk of infection is not much different than an initial insertion. That being said....we don’t e...

9. Drawing blood from picc, air? collapsed lumen?

   UnbrokenRN09 replied to zacarias's topic in Infusion

   If you ever have trouble drawing blood from a picc you shouldn't force it. Sometimes it's positional and you just need to move the arm a bit, there could be a small clot inside, or there's a fibrin flap over the catheter opening that's being sucked ...

10. Measuring picc length

    UnbrokenRN09 replied to UnbrokenRN09's topic in Infusion

    That's a very interesting point cxbf and I will bring that up to our head picc nurse. Our catheters are reverse tapered and only come in 1 length. Our facility only allows for 6 cm to be exposed. Our piccs are 55cm so, on average you would have 8-1...

11. Measuring picc length

    UnbrokenRN09 replied to UnbrokenRN09's topic in Infusion

    We use statlocks to secure our PICC's, and they hold it in place great, but it's difficult to change the dressing and lock, especially if you have more than 3 cm exposed. That's why I personally don't like having more than 3 out. But yep I'm in tot...

12. Measuring picc length

    UnbrokenRN09 replied to UnbrokenRN09's topic in Infusion

    No I haven't heard of that particular organization but sounds like something I need to check into! Glad to finally see another fellow okie here lol. Anyways, my hospital has a really big picc team so I've seen lots of different measurement methods....

13. Can RNs remove temporary pacing (pacemaker/epicarial) wires?

    UnbrokenRN09 replied to deweydecimal13501's topic in Cardiac

    At my facility RN's can remove transvenous wires but not epicardial. Personally, I feel like removing epicardial wires is too much liability for an RN. I don't want to be responsible for removing wires placed by a surgeon. What if the surgeon used...

14. Measuring picc length

    UnbrokenRN09 posted a topic in Infusion

    I'm a brand new picc nurse. I'm a perfectionist lol....and never want any of the picc exposed. Is it realistic to measure so accurately that this can be done on most patients? I know with some patient's anatomy you can't be spot on with the measure...

15. Tricks of the Trade for PICC placement

    UnbrokenRN09 replied to Infusion50's topic in Infusion

    Sometimes they can flip into the IJ after insertion, particularly if they are on a vent or coughing a lot. You can try to power flush with them sitting straight up, hoping that gravity will pull it back down. But at our facility we usually just end...