Navy1Nurse

We usually know what is going to happen.... The ones that make it that we thought wouldn't are the surprise not the ones that don't. I have never had a baby pass away that was a total surprise.

Here are a few....That I own that I highly recommend.. The bible so to speak is "Merenstein & Gardner's Handbook of Neonatal Intensive Care" another is "Core Curriculum for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing" Both are invaluable resources. You unit will most likely have some copies laying around.. Also I just picked up "Innovations in neonatal-perinatal medicine" Also you should join NANN National association of Neonatal nurses, they put out a great journal that you will have online access to once you join. Hope this helps

I am a Navy RN, have been since 2000 and have been in the NAVY for over 20years. Yes you can be deployed, but most RN's are not out there getting shot at, as the poster above seems to indicate, a bit of a tall tale. I think they are just disgruntled with the Navy. I work with 3 Navy Corpsman who have Purple Hearts for being wounded in Iraq, now THEY are the ones out there on the front lines, with the Marines. I have not heard of ANY Navy RN's getting into actual combat, let alone getting a purple heart in this ongoing operation. of course there is always the risk. Please PM me or reply if you want more specifics.

I had a Baby named after me, The parents were so pleased with the care I had provided in the NICU after a very rough start. The Parents gave the baby my first name for the babys middle name. I was very honored. :):wink2:

Melissa, I am a URI school of Nursing grad, If you want I can put you in contact with some people in RI who would be happy to talk to you about nursing. Greg H. RNC,BSN URI '00

Chloral Hydrate 50mg/kg for sedation, and Tylenol prn pain, possibly some versed/fentanyl. Chloral Hydrate is not analgesic so you have to add something, the recovery period is usually a few days, maybe a week. Here is a useful link on ROP, good for the parents: http://www.charles-retina.com/rop-faq.htm Greg H. RNC(h)

I'm a NICU Nurse (RNC), and I happen to be male. Never found it to be an issue, with the patients/parents, or co-workers. Beleive me I was the Minority but you are a minority anywhere you go in nursing if you are male, so get used to it :) It is an awesome experience, and you can really make a difference. Seeing those toddlers at the reunions, Walking + Talking really makes you realize what a important job it is that we do. Greg BSN, RNC

I took the Written Exam on AUG 6th and got the results Today... Said I did Average to Strong in all areas I am so happy, I thought it was pretty challenging. But I am happy that I gained certification. I spent the last 3 yrs in a LVL III NICU, but now I am stationed overseas for the Navy, we don't have a NICU here, but we do get a premie/sick baby every now and again. I plan to return to the NICU when I leave here. I really miss it.

We only use 24 gauge too, I have never even seen a 26ga. We usually have the Insyte (brand) with the wings. I do like to use the Jelcos (very short 24ga) on the tiny ones though. I prefer the Angiocaths, but we never seem to get them anymore

We use 5-6fr og/ng for 1800g and below & 8fr for those above 1800g. In the Lv III unit I work in it is our Policy to NOT hang gavage feeds, I have seen it done, but the nurse usually didn't know the policy, i.e. came from a facility where it was allowed, so they were gently corrected.. :) =Greg

In addition the the "Handbook" already mentioned (which I Have on my Bookshelf, Great reference!!!) Another to check out is: "Core Curriculum for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing" by Jane Deacon This book is in outline format and very easy to get to the information you want... Another Book I Highly recommend is the "Neofax 2002" This is our Drug Reference for Neonatal Meds... (you can find it at neofax.com) or amazon.com Hope this Helps....