staycalm

Latest Activity

1. Code Cart/Box

   staycalm replied to morgan_porgan's topic in NICU

   like most of you, we have locked code carts. It's everything you would need. We also came up with a huge binder- think zippered trapper keeper mega thick. In the binder is the "most used" items for a delivery situation (meconium suction, various e...

2. is this abuse by management

   staycalm replied to Hope1001's topic in NICU

   the "bare all" part of your shift IS odd. Does that person typically have a funny sense of humor trying to make light out of something they were told to be checking on? As for my unit- I most definitely noticed the shift to feeling like it's a watc...

3. Infant Driven Feeding

   staycalm replied to NBmomto2's topic in NICU

   We have cue based feeding. It is very objective. At first it was quite an adjustment; kind of seemed like it took the nurse judgement out of the process. We all quickly realized it just adds to our judgement (no more family or doctor scrutiny). M...

4. Beginning in a level 3 NICU..any tips?

   staycalm replied to ARN2908's topic in NICU

   Ask questions! Any new employee to our NICU that stays quiet and observes only without question raises a lot of eyebrows. Absorb the answer. Speak up to your preceptor nurse or charge nurse to let them know if you haven't had the opportunity to se...

5. NICU has made me afraid to have children...

   staycalm replied to lemur87's topic in NICU

   working in the NICU absolutely makes the thought of pregnancy terrifying. When high-risk blurs to become your version of normal, it is hard to remember that has become your perspective. I worked as a NICU nurse for several years before having our o...

6. nurse burnout

   staycalm replied to ebrahler1788's topic in General Nursing

   ummmm.....NO WAY could I hack staying in LTC or medical for even a year. I'd say start applying in areas of interest, but keep a great relationship with co-workers & supervisors because they will likely be your relevant referrals. If you know s...

7. Need a seasoned nurse's advice

   staycalm replied to marvelmom's topic in LPN/LVN

   I was a tech then a nurse- and stayed in the same unit. I'm still there 14 years later! Just kill them with kindness. There's people like that no matter where you go. If it isn't a unit you love, then change. I loved my unit, so tolerated it the...

8. Help! I think I *need* to be a nurse! :)

   staycalm replied to ShanMiran's topic in Spirituality

   Anything is possible. My own mother graduated nursing school the same month I graduated from highschool. I can speak from both perspectives (growing up as a kid with a mom in college, and as a nurse mom). My reflections on childhood: I went to pu...

9. NICU...Now what?

   staycalm replied to Jinx322's topic in NICU

   I hope you had a great first day. In my unit, our "capstone" students as we call them, are treated completely different than students in regular clinical rotation. I do think it will all depend on your preceptor, so that's great she seems nice! Ou...

10. Thanks to NICU Nurses

    staycalm replied to MichiganGoBlue's topic in NICU

    I have several co-workers that were once NICU parents. They went into nursing school with the goal of being a NICU nurse. It is such a fun process to see! They are all amazing nurses! Best of luck to you! Your empathy with be so appreciated by the...

11. Comments about the NICU

    staycalm replied to angrykitten's topic in NICU

    agree. It's just one of those things. Generally people don't understand unless they've worked in one or have been a NICU parent. I have friends from nursing school that don't understand fully what I do. Oh well. I do notice there seems to be a u...

12. How did you get into NICU nursing?

    staycalm replied to pixie6089's topic in NICU

    I've been a nicu nurse for 13 years. I'm not sure what a NRCP card is. NRP is neonatal resuscitation- and IS required to practice in the unit ( it's the nicu version of PALS, OR ALS). In our unit that class & testing is provided right AFTER be...

13. WGU MSN-ed program tips please

    staycalm replied to staycalm's topic in Western Governors

    hmm. Interesting. My enrollment gal was able to email me very specific course work & course information for the MSN program. That is good to know though. Let me know featherzRN if/when you start!!!!

14. Student Nurse with Epilepsy

    staycalm replied to mitsybitsy's topic in Disabilities

    sharpiemom- agree! We have an amazing pediatric neurologist that has really led the way & set the standard for how to parent through this. He advocates normalcy as soon as achievable- by not placing unnecessary boundaries on kids with epilepsy-...

15. WGU MSN-ed program tips please

    staycalm replied to staycalm's topic in Western Governors

    that IS good advice- especially since most nurse personalities over think & over analyze by our nature! It is an innovative way to obtain a degree & along with that a shift of "perfection" thinking. I have now been accepted. :) I am waiting ...