HFOV/Jet orientation

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Feb 3, 2008

We have a package of written materials with a test at the end and a promise of support. That's it. We only let nurses who have experience with conventional vents take the jets and Oscillators. So typically if you've cared for vents for a few months the charge nurse will ask if you are ready to take a jet (because there are no other HF checked off nurses that night), assign the HF to you, and give you the packet. They will promise to be supportive and check on you frequently. And to be honest, they are supportive and do stop by all the time and look over everything with you and come quickly when you call with questions. They will want you to finish the packet within a couple of weeks and turn it in. Then you can care for jets and oscillators anytime.

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Feb 4, 2008

We got a 20 minute inservice and an info sheet. This was about 6 months ago, and we have YET to use a jet. We are, however, a very anti-vent unit, with mostly CPAPs. HFOV is reserved for last-ditch cases, very different from the last unit I worked on, where we used vents when the BABIES needed them, and used HFOV as a first-line vent in the smaller kids.

Imafloat, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2008

I didn't get any special orientation for oscillators. The RT spent about 10 minutes with me explaining how the oscillator worked the first time I had a patient on an oscillator. I was fortunate that when I was on orientation we had a baby on an oscillator getting INO. Unless a kid is super sick, the oscillators are the same acuity as an unstable vent.

preemieRNkate, RN · Feb 4, 2008

My orientation was when I walked in to get report, and the nurse said the baby is on a MAP of...Delta P of...Hz of...See ya in the morning!

I had a few babies on HFOV while on orientation to the unit though, and I had taken care of quite a few vented babies prior to having my first HFOV patient on my own. We go over all the vents we use on the unit while in the classroom for unit orientation, and we have a couple of RTs that are great and don't mind teaching the vents. When I precept, I always grab one of them to go over the vents with my orientees. We use HFJV much less often than HFOV, and I always need a refresher when I have one. Also, I just grab one of our units reference books when I have some downtime if I want to look something up.

Sweeper933 · Feb 4, 2008

During orientation, we work our way up to stable vents, then unstable vents, then HFOV. (we don't use Jets where I work). Depending on what our patient acutity is at the time, a person might get 2-8 or so shifts of orientation on the HFOV.

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2008

I got a lot of HFOV/HFJV experience when I was on orientation. There was no separate class or orientation for the HFOV/HFJV.

Our RTs are AWESOME and they thoroughly went through the different vents, settings, similarities/differences, etc, etc. They also gave us quick-reference cards that had basic information on them.

We use both the oscillator and jet about equally. There are advantages/disadvantages to each. For me, hands on experience was the best orientation I could get.

HighCensus · Feb 15, 2008

We rarely use the jet...but our orientees get experience with HFOV while on orientation. As a preceptor you request your patient assignments and that is one of the areas we train our orientees in. Orientees also spend 4hrs with one of our RT's going over all the vents we use. We are lucky that with the number of patients we have our orientees get a very well-rounded experience.

lvnurs9 · Apr 13, 2008

We used to just orient people after a year or so on the floor, and then set them loose when they felt comfortable..usually 3 shifts of orientation.

A year and a half ago our CNS decided we needed formal training. Now we have an all day class. You have to take a test and pass with a 100%. If you miss anything you have to meet with her seperately to go over them. It's not too bad of an idea, but we have had a lot of opposition to it. Some people who have been taking care of kids on them for decades refuse to take the test and they don't get to take care of these kids anymore. The worst part about it is for those who can. Now we get burnt out because we get them all the time.

NICU_babyRN, BSN, RN · Apr 14, 2008

Our orientation moves from lowest to highest acuity and HFOV is included near the end of it. I personally spent a total of 44hrs caring of HFOV and INO kids during orientation if not a little more than that. Also had time with the RTs and about 2hr lecture. Then once you are off orientation you still have a lot of support when you have an HFOV baby, and almost always it's a single patient assignment.

wensday, MSN, RN, APN, NP · Apr 19, 2008

We get yearly training on any equipment we personally want practise on, so most people ask for HFOV (no Jet here) as it's used as a last-resort only, or for diaphramatic hernias etc. Then you come into the unit one shift and told your baby is the one on HFOV. The nurse handing over tends to try and give you a bit of an idea before she goes home! I've had tons of oscillated babies recently(sounds about right for me!) so I'm ok with it but some nurses shrink away in horror.