NotReady4PrimeTime RN

NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist

All Content by NotReady4PrimeTime

  1. NotReady4PrimeTime

    Inpatient Apnea Monitoring

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to newkidnurse's topic in Pediatric

    At our hospital monitoring is a physician order. All of our peds beds have the capacity to provide full cardio-respiratory and pulse-ox monitoring; about 1/3 of our patients are there for cardiac care...
  2. NotReady4PrimeTime

    How Nurses Cope with Death

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to Julie Reyes's topic in General Nursing

    Things have not leveled off on our unit. We've had 3 more deaths since I last posted. Even the very experienced of us are feeling it. Some of our losses have been high-profile which adds to the...
  3. NotReady4PrimeTime

    My termination story, any new grad success advice appreciated!

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to Islaleigh's topic in First Year After Licensure

    Okay, you've just made the case for all of us who have said that orientation isn't meant to replace clinical experience received as a student - to teach the nurse how to "be" a nurse in the way your...
  4. NotReady4PrimeTime

    How Nurses Cope with Death

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to Julie Reyes's topic in General Nursing

    As a PICU nurse for mre than 17 years, I've witnessed my share of children's deaths. It never gets any easier but I think I've become better at managing my own feelings. I have close friends who are...
  5. NotReady4PrimeTime

    I need to vent :(

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to RN.amour's topic in General Nursing

    I think you've described a really common experience for many new nurses who don't have prior experience with health care, either has a patient or an ancillary worker. You've also shone a light on...
  6. NotReady4PrimeTime

    quebec immigration processing

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to jobimol's topic in Immigration Advice

    Welcome back! A few things have changed with immigration to Canada over the last few months. There has been a very tight quota placed on temporary foreign workers and all permanent resident...
  7. NotReady4PrimeTime

    Peds CVICU vs NICU

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to MGMR's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    AACN's Core Curriculum for Pediatric Critical Care Nurses has an extensive section on cardiovascular care. It's in my library. I also have The Perinatal Cardiology Handbook by Rima Bader, Lisa K...
  8. NotReady4PrimeTime

    Head walls or booms??

    NotReady4PrimeTime posted a topic in PICU, Pediatric

    Our combined PICU/PCICU as well as our NICU are undergoing redevelopment. :) The PCICU is going into an empty but previously designated space while the PICU and NICU will be a total gut and rebuild....
  9. NotReady4PrimeTime

    Head walls or booms??

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to NotReady4PrimeTime's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    Thanks for this. It's very helpful information. Do you know the manufacturer of your booms? I didn't see the ones they were using in our sim setup but what I've been told is that they were in the way...
  10. NotReady4PrimeTime

    codes in the ER?

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to aroRNBrooke's topic in Emergency

    There's no formal policy but PICU is usually alerted. We send down a doc and at least one nurse to help out and to transfer the kid up if the resus is
  11. NotReady4PrimeTime

    If people make me feel bad, I've been bullied

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to Emergent's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Falling on deaf ears. This thread is now closed for a cooling-off
  12. NotReady4PrimeTime

    If people make me feel bad, I've been bullied

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to Emergent's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    STAFF MEMO: There are a number of posts in this thread that are bordering on personal attacks and others that clearly cross the line. Consider this due warning that if this behaviour continues, the...
  13. NotReady4PrimeTime

    My termination story, any new grad success advice appreciated!

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to Islaleigh's topic in First Year After Licensure

    Your comment about thinking orientation would be like an extension of your school clinicals is an important one. Many new grads are absolutely shocked to find out they're The Nurse now and have all...
  14. NotReady4PrimeTime

    OMG, I cannot believe it...I need PICU interview tips!

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to AnnieOaklyRN's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    Well, as I write this it's almost 3 pm in Boston and your interview should be in the past. I've been sending you positive vibes all day... hope you were feeling them! I can't wait to hear all the...
  15. NotReady4PrimeTime

    Thank You PICU Nurses!

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to AnnieOaklyRN's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    Caring for and involving family should be ingrained in a PICU nurse's character. It's how we roll! Very few of us expect to be commended for doing what comes naturally, but it sure feels good when...
  16. NotReady4PrimeTime

    Adult CVICU to Peds CICU?

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to delphine22's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    I can't see any reason why your adult CVICU experience wouldn't be useful in a PCICU. Anomalous hearts are different from acquired cardiac lesions, but the way patients respond to cardiac surgery...
  17. NotReady4PrimeTime

    Moving to a city with no CICU?

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to BabyHeartsRN's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    I can't comment on North Carolina, Asheville or Charlotte. But I can comment on CICU, PICU and NICU... having worked all three. I took my current job to get CICU experience. That was more than a...
  18. NotReady4PrimeTime

    My termination story, any new grad success advice appreciated!

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to Islaleigh's topic in First Year After Licensure

    Many employers have a probationary period (not to be confused with orientation period) during which either party can "walk away" from the employment relationship without cause. The period may be...
  19. NotReady4PrimeTime

    Scenarios for interview

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to AnnieOaklyRN's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    Fair enough on the Norwood question. (Never give a complex cardiac patient 100% O2... accept sats in the 80s.) Of course you don't want to overtly criticize the ER you left. That kind of thing...
  20. NotReady4PrimeTime

    Oil and Nursing

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to Fiona59's topic in Canada

    Positions can be posted but not filled. Don't assume that just because there are vacancies posted that there will be people hired for them. There are quite a number of temporary positions which are...
  21. NotReady4PrimeTime

    CPR-HCP or BCLS

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to ien.P's topic in Canada

    Most employers prefer Heart and
  22. NotReady4PrimeTime

    Long term care in PICU

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to nurseiam's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    On our units there are no hard-and-fast rules. Some of the intensivists will write orders that decrease the frequency of assessments and vital signs but there are a couple who believe that if the kid...
  23. NotReady4PrimeTime

    CPR-HCP or BCLS

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to ien.P's topic in Canada

    Yes. That's what I said. Maybe you could read my reply again? I also said it's not necessary for health care providers to take first
  24. NotReady4PrimeTime

    CPR-HCP or BCLS

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to ien.P's topic in Canada

    There is a difference between BLS and CPR-HCP. The first one is the same course anybody off the street would take. The second is aimed at health care providers. So it includes things like...
  25. NotReady4PrimeTime

    Scenarios for interview

    NotReady4PrimeTime replied to AnnieOaklyRN's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    Overall, you did very well! #1) You could add a laser level for ensuring the EVD - if placed - is at the correct height. Saline only for IV fluids, mixing your drips and so on. Sandbags for...