TamaraRN

Latest Activity

1. Cooling Blankets

   TamaraRN replied to kesmith2314's topic in MICU

   We use an very large cooling blanket machine that is older than I am, but it still gets the job done. It connects to a rectal temp probe. Our policy is to always use auto mode (never manual) & set the temp 2-3 degrees below core temp, & adj...

2. Verbal abuse by physicians in ICU

   TamaraRN replied to erinnRN's topic in MICU

   I work in a very similar enviroment to what you described. A nurse who moved here recently says "the staff & physicians here have had a dysfunctional relationship for so long that is now accepted, normal behavior." I found a conflict resolutio...

3. Tele overflow patients in the ICU

   TamaraRN replied to Zoomer's topic in MICU

   As I'm also in California, any pt in an ICU bed gets the ICU nurse patient ratio. I'm working on getting approval for licensing several beds to flex into an intermediate level of care when needed. That would be 3 or 4:1, q shift assessments, q 4hr ...

4. Four Star ICU Visitors

   TamaraRN replied to Ruby Vee's topic in MICU

   So this 20 year old kid goes over to another trailer in the park, barges into the kitchen where a kid is chopping up chicken, gets in his face, & says "So, I hear you're gonna kick my ass." One stab with a dirty chicken knife can be very effecti...

5. I feel so stupid!

   TamaraRN replied to BunnyBunnyBSNRN's topic in MICU

   As a new grad in CCU I learned 2 things very quickly. There are a lot of right ways to be a nurse. And it takes more than 2 hands and 1 brain to care for critically ill paitients. Hang in there. Ask all the questions you need. Find out who the n...

6. Why do unit nurses have bad reps?

   TamaraRN replied to SheriLynnRN's topic in MICU

   ICU nurses have to be very detail oriented & they are often dealing with crises. We often need meds, labs, etc very quickly & don't have time to say please or thank you until the crisis is over. Unit clerks & people we work with daily u...

7. End of Life

   TamaraRN replied to WakingLife's topic in MICU

   With 5 years in ICU I've dealt with the withdrawal of care many times. It can be a really awesome & humbling experience. Medication wise, the best tip I can pass on is to place 2 Scopolamine patches on the pt when you extubate in addition to the...

8. Use of techs (UAPs) in ICU/CCU

   TamaraRN posted a topic in MICU

   I'm working on a project to convince a very budget conscious administration that it would be advantageous to bring CNAs/Critical Care Techs/Patient Care Techs or whatever name for Unlicensed Assistive Personnel into the Unit. I'd like to find out ho...

9. Need a good ICU book

   TamaraRN replied to erinnRN's topic in MICU

   Kathy White! Also available in PDA format.

10. Need a good ICU book

    TamaraRN replied to erinnRN's topic in General Nursing

    Kathy White! Also available in PDA format.