hppygrndma

Good luck. As far as the test, just remember ABC's. Airway, breathing, circulation......

I totally agree with you on all that Bob. God forbid I fall ill, I dont want my nurse to have passed only because the law of averages was on her side. I want my nurse to pass because she knew her stuff..... rosie

Its always doable. Depends on how bad you want it. I worked full time, two 16 hour shifts on the weekends, went to school mon-friday, and had 3 small children (7,5,3), and a single parent to boot. No, its not easy, but well worth it in the end. I graduated without owing any student loans, paid cash as I went. So good luck to you, and trudge on, its worth it. :balloons:

Be brave, just do it. I'm letting mine go gray, right now it looks like i have a gray beanie cap. Oh well so is life...Its just hair. And gray hair is just one of lifes smaller problems....I'm gonna love mine. No more hair dye here....

Didnt quite know where to put this, but thought it was worth reading, you will find its true. A nurse friend wrote this on a very long, difficult night shift one night. ODE TO AN OLD LADY Dear crabby old woman, I do see you and you are all these things. But now you are here with some gross disease. You're bored and you're lonely, and no-one has called, but PLEASE, stop trying to get up, DADGUMMIT YOU"LL FALL. I really dont care if you wont't take your pill, the pain will get worse..... Trust me,.. it will. Then you'll be crying, and yelling, and making a squall. And wonder why I don't come, the instant you call. Now I want you to know, I've been patient and kind, I know you are old and losing your mind, but the guy down the hall is sitting in poop, and JAHCO is rounding with their circus troupe. I've been here ten hours with no lunch and no break, I've turned all my patients, and my back really aches. All my people are fed, and at least presentably clean. Mose gripe as much you do, and say that "I'm mean". To care for others is a CHOICE that I make, you'll have to forgive me, I'VE DONE WHAT IT TAKES...

thanks to all who responded. Now to find a NICU to apply to in the DFW area. I have a few leads. Wish me luck... :monkeydance:

I have worked adult ICU for 6-7 years now and love the ICU environment. But have always wanted to work NICU. I am thinking of going to this new specialty through an internship program. Has anyone made the transition from adult to nicu and if so, how did it go. Thanks to all.:thankya:

I work agency in a university teaching hospital, night ratio for tele is usually anywhere from 6-8 patients.

I have 4 piercings in one ear and 3 in the other. Also have a tattoo on the side of my neck. I have worked agency at several different hospitals and have never had any complaints. I wear my long hair pulled back at work, and have actually had comments on the tattoo. I feel as long as it is tasteful and doesnt interfere with work, then there is no prob. But if I was told to cover it, I would.

Most every ICU/CCU I have worked on, gives patiens baths at night. Sedated and vented patients are bathed anytime during the shift, A&O more toward the morning hours. Just one of the drawbacks of the ICU. But on the flip side, it gives you a chance to do a thorough skin assessment on your patients. LOVE THE ICU THOUGH

Go for it. I did 1 1/2 years of med/surg prior to starting a ICU internship. I would definately do it again. ICU is in my blood now. Your med/surg experience will help you tremendously in the ICU. All the ICU lingo, lines, vents, drips, and everything that goes with it will come in time. But give it at least a year to feel a little more comfortable in that setting. Good luck to you.

congrats to all of you. Its a tough program, but puts out good, knowledgable nurses. Best of luck to all of you, its worth the stress and trials. Brookhaven/El Centro 1997 grad, have been working in ICU since 1999.

Lets see....break....trying to remember what those are....I work ICU...:bugeyes:

I love the 7p-7a shift. I work in ICU. Although it is busy, it is a different kind of busy, you have more autonomy and the nurses and staff on nights tend to be a different breed than the day shift. We all work together and get done what needs to get done. There is the reconciliation of MARS, chart checks, bathing, but aside from that I wouldnt work days in ICU. It is quieter (to a point on nights) and you dont have to deal with meals, as many family members, and you can just do your thing. I have worked the 7a-7p, and much prefer the nights. It does take some getting use to if you havent done it before, but after a while it works wonderful especially if you have kids at home. I am home to pick them up from school and most times take them to school. I found it easier to work all my shifts in a row then have 3-4 days off. But in time you find what works best for you. Good luck and happy nursing. rosie

Hi all, Many thanks for all your replies. Well just to update. I did leave my employment with the ambulatory surgery center. I think the last straw came when I had to pre-op and recover 13 patients on my own. I ran back and forth all day. And then still had no one but the receptionist at the end of the day to sign the narc count. Just to clarify a few things, yes the anestheologists did leave when the patient hit PACU, they did not stay around for the recovery period. I usually woke up the patient and took out the ET tube or LMA.....nice. Only one RN was assigned to PACU, the other RN left as soon as the surgery was over, Oh well , we live, we learn, we move on. I am going to work agency in ICU (my fav) for a while. LIFE IS TO SHORT TO WASTE ON SOMEWHERE YOUR NOT HAPPY. Rosie