Redneckmedic63

We do everything but open heart and ecmo here (12 bed PICU), but still have some pretty crappy neuro, trauma and oncology kids, as well as the usual respiratory. We routinely return waste. Still involves alot of blood loss for critical kids, so we try to keep labs to necessary minimum and bundle them so that we can draw multiple labs. We use open systems in PICU - the closed system the hospital uses is way too high a volume for what we prefer. Even using an open system, we are fortunate to have a VERY low line infection rate (went almost 3 years without one). But would love to have further info as well... Can you PM me with a little more info on VIA - manufacturer? Getting ready to build all new PICU starting in a few months, and still tweeking designs and equipment! Couldn't find a lot when I googled - just curious! Thanks - Joe :)

Two easy answers for this question! 1 - Get to know your emergency drugs intimately, including code drugs, RSI drugs, seizure meds, pressor and sedation gtts, etc... we carry a small, double-sided laminated card on our ID badges (about 2"x3"), but are absolutely expected to know those without looking. 2 - Best practice - look up EVERY med you give, no matter how many times you give it! You'll be pleased at how repetition makes life easier, and you'll soon know them MUCH better than your residents. I've been there for years and still try to do it all the time. ESPECIALLY if its a drug you can't rattle right off the top of your head! Bonus answer (LOL): Many places - ours included - have some type of EXCEL-type program by which we input the patient's age and weight, and it spits out a chart with all emergency drugs with specific weight based dosages and the volumes based on our formulary for that patient. We generate these on admit for every kid - usually in the first few minutes after they hit the floor. 2 copies are made - one posted in a specific place in the room, the other attached to the bed (so it is available if the patient goes off-unit). These stay with the patient through discharge home. We also put a color-coded Broslow sticker on each copy, as well as on the patient's armband. These take some of the brainwork out of codes should a less experienced person be first through the door. Just some thoughts - hope it helps... PM me if you have questions! JZ :)

Hey guys and gals! This forum has been silent for WAY too long! Who's still out there??? Don't sneak and peek - speak up and say hello!!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!

They've been around in some form or another since the early 70's. I used them occassionally on the squad back in the 80's, but they were bulky, unreliable, and O2 powered - and sucked thru the tanks fast. The new ones now are much better, reliable, and have been researched. Good tool for pre-hospital in the places where they still transport codes - can't see as very practical for in-hospital use. The newest one I've seen is a vest that slides over the patient's chest. EMS has nicknamed it "The Geezer Squeezer"! LOL

I've worked PICU since I graduated and love it! (I'm just an overgrown, arthritic kid anyway!) ER is a good fit, too. Also know alot of guys that are very happy working other critical care areas, and med-surg as well. The field is pretty much yours. As stated above, and not to sound sexist - beware the assumption that you are a man, therefore you can do all the heavy lift assists, take the combative patients, etc... - it really does seem to be a common theme wherever you go, though generally I think it is unintentional. Nursing is defiinitely a good career for guys!!!

Nurseinadream - I am just now investigating possibilities of travelling, and the DC area is a primary area d/t its location near family, etc... would you care to PM me with what company you work for and some of your thoughts? I would be VERY interested in hearing some first-hand DC travel advice... Thanks!

Some arguments never end... Lets speak from a practical level. As a general rule, ASN/ADN programs tend to focus heavily on skills and practical means, while BSN programs tend to enjoy more time to focus on theory and leadership. That being said, from a functional standpoint, new grads from both areas tend to be equal. A co-worker of mine made the statement - "I have a BSN, which meant I might not be able to do *%^$ like you, but I can sure write a paper about it!" So from a new hire, functional standpoint, there's not much difference. But then down the road, when a company is looking for motivated people for leadership positions, doesn't it make sense to look at the time spent educating one's self as an indication of how motivated they may be? Not exclusively - they may have other qualifications that trump the BSN - but certainly it makes sense to consider it. It makes sense, then, that some places feel it necessary to hire BSN's because they feel they may get more long-term bang for their buck from a more motivated employee. The BSN is the only thing they can judge at the start, because they haven't seen the person in action. Truth be told, the best employee there might be an ASN/ADN in the future, but who can predict? Before you fire off all those bitter replies LOL... I AM an ASN (who happends to have a bachelors in another discipline), but have also furthered my qualifications along the way (CCRN, etc...) I have been on both sides of the world - grunt and management - and can tell you the best qualification for a good nurse has nothing to do with the papers they hang on the wall!!!! Watch how hard they work - and where their heart is - and you can see who will be the "most qualified" to take care of my family OR run the place that takes care of them... And FYI - some of us chose the ASN route simply for financial reasons. Change in careers late in life, soul income provider, etc... I had to feed my family and did NOT have the time to scrape by for 2 more years, when I could earn the income in less time that way. Starting pays are generally the same - and the places that DO pay more for BSN's do NOT pay enough to make it worth it...

That is also the policy where I work. Dayshifters get an extra couple of hours to call in versus night shift - always did seem unfair....

WV Night shift 4:1 medium - high acuity, Level 2 Trauma, primary cardiac and stroke center usually 12-14 pt's per 12 hour shift barely safe; staffiing is always short and staff satisfacion low becomes quite concerning when you are asigned/receive 1:1 patients and still must care for your other rooms - sometimes multiple times per shift, sometimes with more than 1 1:1 at a time

Although our current PICU is in a place once used as an adult ICU, we are looking at moving to a new unit in the next 5 years. Our new adult ICU's were all built with very spacious rooms utilizing columns - I have occassionally floated there and found that to be a VERY user friendly setup. Using wall-mounted equipment just doesn't allow good access to airways in an emergency, and makes management of equipment such as head bolts and EEG's difficult on complicated patients. These set-ups save room, but are not as user-friendly (especially to those of us suffering from BNLRS - "big nurse-little room syndrome" LOL) Booms are nice, but you are at the mercy of where the boom will swing. I believe everyone has their preferences, and all designs have their benefits... JZ

I was a new grad when I started PICU as well. Keep an open mind - know that there is ALOT to learn. Be a sponge! Soak it all in, ask questions, and have fun! It's nothing like nursing school, but there;s no better place to be! Gotta love the kids!!!!! Good luck!

We don't use the Browlow Bags - generally they were designed more for EMS or for Rapid Response situations. But we DO have Broslow Crash Carts - all color coded. Of course, it is up to your facility to stock them properly. We have been VERY happy with ours. Ours is a Pediatric referral hospital / trauma / burn center. 12 Bed PICU, etc... IM me if you want some good cheat things for drugs.

Seen it many times. The beauty of it is - fix the sugar and you fix the seizure!

Just to help you out - it never took me more than an hour. From Hinton, the interstate is the long way - instead take Rt 3 via Alderson. The hospital is actually in Fairlea/Ronceverte. It's an easy, country drive. To me it was worth it. My in laws were near Hinton, so I often would stay a couple days and drive back and forth from there - piece of cake! PM if you have more questions... Might also check out Princeton Community Hospital. Used to be a good place to work years ago. Its about 45 mins from Hinton if you take Rt 20.

Hey guys. Live in the Huntington area and have been considering commuting to work per diem in Columbus at Nationwide. Anyone from WV driving to Columbus hospitals for work - Nationwide, OSU, Riverside, etc... - is it worth the drive? Do any of these places help with travel expenses or lodging??? Would love to hear from anyone with experience in the area - thanks!!!!!