a new PDN case for me!!

[WI_home_RN]

I have been searching and searching feverishly to find a new PDN case to work for. They are so few and far between where I live, and what I've been looking for just kind of fell into my lap tonite :) My last PDN patient passed away 2-1/2 years ago and at the same time I had my own health problems and was forced to go on disability temporarily while I healed. But, getting all my ducks in a row here lately....renewed my vent certification, renewing CPR next week and a new case....wow!!! I am just so lucky!!! The Mom sounds really wonderful to work for so my fingers are crossed that our interview/get-together goes well :)

woot! woot!!

[ceebeejay]

Happiness. Good luck! Wish I could find some place by me to get vent certified.

[NurseNightOwl, BSN, RN]

Congrats!!!!!!!!!

[maryen]

All the best!!

[SDALPN]

Happiness. Good luck! Wish I could find some place by me to get vent certified.

I didn't think there is an actual certification. Although some agencies must check you off before working with a vent patient. But most equipment companies do classes and the agencies do as well. The classes aren't great and don't teach everything you should know. But they do teach enough to operate the vent in the most basic way. They don't teach formulas for settings or how to read the vent to figure out the problem the patient may be having.

[4give&4getoften]

YIPPY!:)

[WI_home_RN]

Thank you for all the well wishes :) For me, living in Northern Wisconsin, I had to travel four hours one way, to Madison, Wisconsin, for my vent class and spend extra money to spend the night the night before. Its quite expensive having to live up in the Boonies....

One thing I wanna mention about the Vent Classes not teaching you about vent settings and that is because we are NOT Respiratory Therapists who do the settings....we are just the RNs who manage the home vent patient. We are taught in the class, though, how to differentiate between high pressure and low pressure readings, what they mean, and how to "fix" the situation.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Thank you for all the well wishes :) For me, living in Northern Wisconsin, I had to travel four hours one way, to Madison, Wisconsin, for my vent class and spend extra money to spend the night the night before. Its quite expensive having to live up in the Boonies....

One thing I wanna mention about the Vent Classes not teaching you about vent settings and that is because we are NOT Respiratory Therapists who do the settings....we are just the RNs who manage the home vent patient. We are taught in the class, though, how to differentiate between high pressure and low pressure readings, what they mean, and how to "fix" the situation.

Oh, you mean 'silence the alarms'!! (I'm kidding- relax everyone)

[SDALPN]

Thank you for all the well wishes :) For me, living in Northern Wisconsin, I had to travel four hours one way, to Madison, Wisconsin, for my vent class and spend extra money to spend the night the night before. Its quite expensive having to live up in the Boonies....

One thing I wanna mention about the Vent Classes not teaching you about vent settings and that is because we are NOT Respiratory Therapists who do the settings....we are just the RNs who manage the home vent patient. We are taught in the class, though, how to differentiate between high pressure and low pressure readings, what they mean, and how to "fix" the situation.

Trust me, its still important to know these things. When the settings are wrong, how do you know? When the settings may need adjustment, how do you know to let the Dr know? The internal settings are just as important. I had a kid in respiratory distress and nobody could figure out the problem...turned out it was the internal settings. Took me, an LPN to find the problem when even the RTs couldn't figure it out. External settings looked fine. And you should always have more knowledge than the parent. These parents will lie and manipulate. If you don't know what you are doing, they'll pull one over on you and could cause harm to the patient. Just knowing how to respond to high/low pressure alarms isn't enough at all.

That's like saying you drive and know the difference between the brake/gas....but never changing the oil in the car til something goes terribly wrong because that's the mechanics job...and you never take it to the mechanic or know the signs of when to call the mechanic til its too late.

Ventmommy, where are you? You always explain this one well!

[brillohead, ADN, RN]

Congrats!

I just picked up a new-to-me case that also feels like a "fell in my lap" situation. Three nights in a row (just like I wanted), and in a decent home with decent parents and a decent set-up for the patient's room, complete with a mini-fridge and microwave and comfy upholstered chair for the nurses right there in the room. The other regular nurse has been there for over two years straight, too, so it's not a revolving door situation where they can't keep staff around.

Fingers crossed that this is just what we both need, the right place at the right time!

[mrsgalbreath]

Isn't that awesome when we get something unexpected but so perfect?? Congrats ...

[Adele_Michal7, ASN, RN]

Congratulations:)

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