Mags4711 RN

Newborn ICU, Trauma ICU, Burn ICU, Peds

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About Mags4711

Mags4711 has 21 years experience as a RN and specializes in Newborn ICU, Trauma ICU, Burn ICU, Peds.


Former Pediatric nurse, Level I trauma and burn nurse and currently Level IIIc NICU nurse

Latest Activity

  1. Mags4711

    Isolette Practices

    I try to dissuade them from even popping when reintubating (if it is a semi-controlled situation). The trays slide out and spin, so the lower half of the baby can remain in the warm environment. I even do tub baths in pink basins with the tops down...
  2. Mags4711

    How long until day shift on your unit?

    Whoatemyburger: You work in a NICU where there's *high* turnover?? I don't think I've ever heard of such a place.
  3. Mags4711

    Isolette Practices

    There is data that speaks to the possibility of it taking hours for the box and baby temps to stabilize after having the "top popped." I only open if ABSOLUTELY necessary. And it usually isn't.
  4. Mags4711

    Has anyone ever 'taped' a gravity feed?

    Yes, there is literature that speaks to the benefits of gravity bolus feeds versus pump feeds. I'll dig through my stuff when I get a moment and post some links. My hospital used to use syringe pumps and we'd start feeding over an hours, then decrea...
  5. Mags4711

    How long until day shift on your unit?

    Depending on the availability, often after 1-2 years you can get a day/night rotation. Our unit only rotates folks 1-3 nights/4 week schedule. But for straight days? 12's will take 26+years. Straight 8's on days? 28+ years.
  6. Hello everyone! My institution (teritiary care, Level IIIc NICU) is moving to scanning for med administration soon. I have been charged with the task of polling other NICU's to find out how you all "really" do it. I know ideally you are to affix ...
  7. Mags4711

    MRSA Best Practices?

    Same here, every baby that enters our unit gets swabbed on admission, every Monday (unless positive, then they are no longer screened), and on transfer or discharge.
  8. Mags4711

    MRSA Best Practices?

    We have been using CHG wipes on our neonates for a little over a year. We only decolonize if they turn positive, though (CHG wipe baths for seven days, and Bactroban Nasal Ointment 2% to nares and umbilicus for five days). Thanks for the well wishe...
  9. Mags4711

    MRSA Best Practices?

    Hello fellow NICU folk! I am working on MRSA best practices and am trying to get a sense (beyond what the "Consensus Statement of the Chicago-Area Neonatal MRSA Working Group" says) of what *your* NICU's are doing re: MRSA practices. Could you please...
  10. Mags4711

    Visitation during handoff

    We are all private rooms (Level IIIc) and visitors are allowed at all times. We have now also moved to bedside report (standing in the patient room, parents and visitors present!) to allow parents to feel more a part of the process, and to force dou...
  11. Mags4711

    Patient's Families as Facebook Friends....

    I would say about 40% of our staff are friends are with current patients, probably close to 60% are friends with previous patients and families. I do have a problem with it. I won't do it. I have four former patient families that are friends with ...
  12. Mags4711

    arterial stab policy on your units?

    If you've ever had an art stick, you'd understand why I am about to say what I'm going to say. I HATE THEM!!!!! Lots of our RN's will do them to get "larger" samples of blood (and not even try a venous). It makes me nutty! To me an arterial poke ...
  13. Mags4711

    open visitation/ 24/7

    I work across the state from you, Kalamazoo, and we have open visitation 24/7. We have been that way for at least six years and I still dislike it. Only the parents are allowed to stay in the rooms for the half hour at shift change, though. But any...
  14. Mags4711

    Bereavement

    We send cards after death, six months, and then at a year out. We order our cards (and a nice natural paper box) from Memories Unlimited, Inc http://www.memoriesunlimited.com/ Our transporters take the baby down in a basinette to the morgue.
  15. Mags4711

    How long did you study for the RNC exam?

    My hospital just paid for us to take the NICU review course that Dr. Verklan gives. It was quite thorough and good. Seriously, vent changes??? That's not even in my scope of practice! How can they ask what vent changes should be made?