essT

essT has 5 years experience and specializes in NICU.

Latest Activity

1. Is it me, or am I being given unrealistic assignments in the NICU?

   essT replied to tmjwe3's topic in NICU

   The pod system level II-III NICUs I've been in will do 4-5 crummy feeders together, provided they don't have a ton else going on. Not a fun assignment, and not fair to the babies.

2. late preterm infants

   essT replied to hrovedo's topic in NICU

   One place I worked automatically admitted

3. Did I make the right decision not to aggressively resuscitate this baby?

   essT replied to AnnieOaklyRN's topic in NICU

   The edge of viability is hard enough in the hospital setting; bless you for confronting it in the field. Please be kind to yourself. The combination of the birth history, delay of treatment, iffy gestational age (sounds like *maybe* 23-24 weeks ba...

4. IV securement

   essT replied to ScammRNC's topic in NICU

   Wing of tape around the hub, tegaderm over the site, and then thin strips of tape and 2x2 as needed for skin protection. We use pink tape with skin prep for scalps, and paper tape for everywhere else.

5. Level 2 Ratios

   essT replied to jennylee321's topic in NICU

   On our intermediate/level II side, we have between 3 and 5, but most often 4. No techs or helpers. A night with just 3 babies is like heaven!

6. Adult ICU RN interested in NICU

   essT replied to BeatsPerMinute's topic in NICU

   I made the transition from adult ICU to NICU about 2.5 years ago. Like someone already mentioned, there have been a number of similar threads on this topic, most of which I have responded to. If you have specific questions, feel free to PM me! In ...

7. Hydrocolloid for skin protection?

   essT replied to Cfholmes's topic in NICU

   For bubble CPAP, we "DIY" our own cannulaides with Duoderm and sticky velcro. They are changed at least q12hr. We only use cannulas on babies who are 40+ weeks with mature skin, so they don't typically require a barrier.

8. 5 Weird Questions Patients Have Asked As An OB Nurse

   essT replied to JanineKelbach's topic in Ob/Gyn

   My favorite is when they're upset their 500g intubated dopamine dependent baby isn't circumcised yet.

9. RNC-NIC

   essT replied to essT's topic in NICU

   Thank you! Apologies if you already know this, but there are suggestions listed on their candidate guide: https://www.nccwebsite.org/resources/docs/2015-LRN-Candidate_Guide.pdf

10. RNC-NIC

    essT replied to essT's topic in NICU

    Just an update (and celebration) -- I PASSED! It was mostly what I expected, with a wide variety of questions that were challenging but manageable overall. A lot of questions on ABG and electrolyte interpretation, a handful each on MAS, PDA, hyperbi...

11. Oakland fire

    essT replied to Dianna11's topic in Headlines

    Oakland native here, lost a college friend in the fire, used to live just blocks from the Ghost Ship, have been to many warehouses in my time in the Bay Area, and lived in some highly unsafe locations as well. Not able to wrap my head around it all ...

12. RNC-NIC

    essT replied to essT's topic in NICU

    I've registered and am waiting for my authorization, so I'll have to take it within 90 days either way. Wish I could do a review course but it's just not feasible at this point. Good luck on your test! Keep us updated on how it goes.

13. RNC-NIC

    essT replied to essT's topic in NICU

    Thank you both for your responses! There is just so much information that is fair game, I can't imagine ever feeling completely ready for it. I suppose that's the nature of the test, though...

14. RNC-NIC

    essT posted a topic in NICU

    Hi everyone, I'm coming up on my two years in NICU and preparing to sit for the RNC-NIC exam. I've poured over previous threads but wanted to put feelers out for any updated information. My unit has a few certified nurses but most of them tested a ...

15. NICU ETT tape

    essT replied to alfollin1's topic in NICU

    We use duoderm as a skin barrier, elastoplast to hold the tube, and tegaderm over the top to keep the elastoplast from curling.