imaRN

Our hypothermia protocol uses the "Artic Sun" cooling machine: vest for pt. and also wraps on both legs, cools automatically the first 24 hours and then rewarms patient,and we use a foley with temp. capabilities, but this is reserved only for Cardiac Arrests, comatose patients: like BlakeS stated above. For Neuro trauma patients with high fever: (40C area) we do not have a written protocol, but with doc permission we expose pt. (loin cloth used for privates) get a box fan to blow across the patient and "spritz" the pt. like a plant.......I tell you the first time I did this I felt like I was working in a greenhouse!.....the water is such a "fine mist" that the pt. doesn't shiver (preventing a rise in their temp) But you have to keep "up the spritz" it is very labor intensive to continually keep the pt. moist, but if the pt. is a one-to-one you can do it. It can work! We used to use the big old cooling blanket under the pt. but ....one bad experience, ruined that and we can only use it over the pt. which is not very effective, better luck with ice packs on groins and axillary area. Hope this info. helps!

Well, I have been doing this staff nursing gig twenty years this summer, so I feel I can say this: Stop Whinning!........IF we nurses want to be treated like Professionals......then we must start sounding like Professionals. IF you were given anything in appreciation of National Nurses week then except it for what it is, Little or Big who cares? Are you going to stop being a nurse because you don't like your token of appreciation?.....are you going to leave your place of employment because of your token of appreciation? ....I refuse to accept your negative attitudes, take the gift or refuse it........just don't whine!......I received a $10.00 Simon card...it is $10.00 more than I had the day before they handed it to me, period. It is almost Mother's Day are you going to whine about that too?

Here's the story, of a lovely lady, :Melody: Thirteen years ago I received my AD...(previously was an LPN, N.A. before that)....and have worked critical care for 12.5 years..Life happened and I am just now getting back in college to complete a BSN Degree. Today my hospital might not hire me due to the AD. they hire AD's on an individual basis only. I am not saying this is right.... just how it is. I have been turned down for a position recently soley because of my lack of a BSN Degree. The dept. was ready to hire me, but was not allowed. (too bad they had already interviewed me) So if you do the AD be sure to "fast track" into the BSN a.s.a.p. And.........Yes, by all means let your employeer pay as much as they will. Of course I do not know how the Chicago area is on hiring AD's, it may be different where you are? (It's not so bad being a "Brady" )

It is sooooo sad that many new nurses don't get the "hands on" experience that they and their patients deserve! The best advice I got from an instructor was "Don't wait to be asked, if you hear of something going on ...Get In There, if they Really don't want you there they will ask/tell you to leave" I personally never realized that I would be "teaching" I never wanted to be a teacher, and now I am on my unit, like all the other Staff Nurses. BUT... Students don't want the classroom version, they want the "Real World" the "down and dirty" version, and that I am always willing to dish out....imaRN

"To ERROR is human"...and we nurses ARE human!....The best thing about someones error? Many Nurses learn from others mistakes.....and that is saving many of them from making more mistakes.......Welcome to the Real World of Health Care........Good Luck Rosey!!........imaRN:cool:

No on call in ICU (good thing too, we all would be dead from it) Our hosp. has" on call" in O.B. & O.R. only...... imaRN

shavsha "Pooh climbed and he climbed and finally, he got to a Spot at the top of the tree" I am sorry to say that if Pooh were in a" non-union tree". then Christopher Robin could decide that Piglet should get to be at the top of the tree....and down goes Pooh without any recourse! ...get my drift?...imaRN:D

Brandy, What do you mean a "Permanent Tag" I am interested : where did you get it, cost ,the whole nine yards- please...imaRN

Years ago I had a patient with the name of Mr. Peters and he had gangrene , guess where.....yep of the member !! (The reason he got it......he was at a nursing home and someone after bathing him, did not pull his foreskin back down, swelling+pressure+cut off blood flow= gangrene ) The poor guy did die, he was 90 yrs old, sad way to go......imaRN

I thought this should go to the top and hopefully get revived. Is nursing a calling?...... I am not sure, the last 2 weeks have been very tough at work. Emotionally and mentally and always physically.....I have been asking myself .. Do I do this RN thing because I am really good at it and it is where I am "suppose to be?" or do I do this because it is always what I have done,,, (take care of others) Or is it because I really didn't type well and wanted to wear comfortable shoes...... I have gone back and forth on this many times, have slept on it and still am wondering. Are we suppose to keep on working when we are not seemingly getting a valued response from our administrators? Is it enough that I know I am good and my patients would tell me if they could only remember their ICU stay? I just am not sure, how much should a person or profession take before making a change? Is staying and hanging in there good or should I too "jump ship" and be a "free agent" like so many of my co-workers are doing, going with agency work or now going prn at my hosp. and makes much, much more........hummmmmmmmmmmm Or should I just get on antidepressants like most of my co-workers and not even think about it! I sure don't have an answer only more questions....hope I can figure it out soon............imaRN:confused:

every year we dread july 1st. those of you who work in teaching hospitals know what i mean. it is like kindergarten starts all over again! well this year we nurses have been through a lot, and with that" twisted sense of humor" we decided to wear and be "gems for the day" to honor and impress the new resident doc's.(yes it was a joke) we wore a co-workers dead mother-in-laws costume jewerly.whom i would like to take the time to thank ,(may she rest in peace,she did pass on in our unit) what a riot! big gawdy clip on earrings,pins, necklaces, beads with "sparkling gems" and what a reaction we got. many just loved our sense of humor, some looked twice at us (afraid that maybe it was not a joke) and others just started laughing! well it was quite liberating. personally i think a few of the docs were wanting to try on some too. and now just who really cares that the new residents think the icu nurses are a bunch of nuts, they will know soon enough we can save their butts when they need it most! girls just want to have fun !!! ...imarn anyone have a story about your new residents day???

Fun at work? Well why else would you go? You can make "anything" fun, of course it does help to have a twisted sense of humor, that we in ICU have (did we develop it or were we born with it) That is the Question...If I gave "details" someone might not understand......don't want to offend anyone ....imaRN

Fun at work? Well why else would you go? You can make "anything" fun, of course it does help to have a twisted sense of humor, that we in ICU have (did we develop it or were we born with it) That is the Question...If I gave "details" someone might not understand......don't want to offend anyone ....imaRN

"Amen" to feisty nurse's comments.And do you think If you were a doc, you would be saying a word?(not a judgement), Just something to think about.... [ June 03, 2001: Message edited by: imaRN ]

We are starting to wear Teal ribbons in support and solidarity to our union!!! Peggy, I like the way you think!....imaRN