shortydoowop

I have been a nurse for 13 years and ONLY worked NICU. I feel as though I may have reached the limit on learning in this area, as I have mastered all skills including PICC insertion, ECMO, body cooling and arterial line placement. I am considering an internship in the O.R. There are obviously pros and cons to this new position. While I am a bit anxious to leave my "comfort zone," I feel a push towards seeing what else is out there. Anyone else work several years in one area and then go to something new? Any bad or good experiences you can tell me about? Thank you in advance...

I was wondering if I could get some enlightenment on what other NICU's across the country are doing in terms of infection control and see what is most common. I came from a unit with very strict infection control guidelines which made their infection rates almost non-existent. Since moving to a new facility, I am finding things are much more lax.... and it is causing me anxiety.:uhoh21: how often are you guys changing clear line fluids? e.g. 0.9 N/S with Hep? do you have any protocols for scrubbing in at the start of your shift? do nurses have their own stethoscope that is "cleaned" in between babies or does each baby have their own? what happens to items/supplies that fall on the floor? how often are your kids receiving vanc? have you seen co-workers touch their face and hair and then the baby and/or their supplies? ((ugh!!!!)) I have. I have so many other examples... but I'm really just interested in my fellow NICU nurses telling me what things their unit does to curb infection rates, what they think works well, and what they think the unit can improve on. Thanks in advance for your input!!!

Hi... I am exploring travel nursing before I relocate from Indiana to Michigan. I have read a great deal of information on this forum, all of which has proven to be very helpful! However, I am getting anxious about my confusion over travel agencies. So far, I have been contacted by American Mobile and a few of its "sister companies" but from all the threads I'm reading...NO ONE is advocating using them I would like to know if there is any specific companies anyone feels are GOOD companies to work for, as I am completely new at this and have no idea what I'm getting myself into! Thank you!

I'm new to the forum.. HI I'm a NICU nurse from indiana who will be relocating to the detroit area in the fall. I have 7 years experience in a level 3 NICU and have done several flight transports of critically ill newborns... If anyone has any opinions and/or suggestions on what hospitals to work at or which ones to stay away from and why- it would help me tons!!!! I have heard from several people that beaumont is the place to be hands down- but they have no NICU positions open currently- so I'm debating on whether I should switch specialties and try ER or OR just to get my foot in the door... Children's sounds good to me too though, because it is a level 4 and will challenge me. However, I have not heard much about their facility... Thanks in advance!!!!