Redneckmedic63

Redneckmedic63

Pediatric Intensive Care, ER

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All Content by Redneckmedic63

  1. ROLL CALL!!!!! Where are our WV nurses????

    Redneckmedic63 posted a topic in General Nursing

    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

  2. What do you guys use for art lines??

    Redneckmedic63 replied to Nursemommi's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    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...

  3. PICU medication dosages to memorize

    Redneckmedic63 replied to Annaiya's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    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...

  4. Are the "chest thumpers" new?

    Redneckmedic63 replied to cogath's topic in General Nursing

    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...

  5. Good area of nursing for a male to work in?

    Redneckmedic63 replied to northmississippi's topic in General Nursing

    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...

  6. Washington DC

    Redneckmedic63 replied to ashc445707's topic in Travel

    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...

  7. Sick and tired of the AAS BSN debate

    Redneckmedic63 replied to Natingale's topic in Diploma, ADN, BSN

    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...

  8. Calling in: different time frame for night and day shifts?

    Redneckmedic63 replied to perfectbluebuildings's topic in General Nursing

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

  9. ED ratio across the US

    Redneckmedic63 replied to back2nsg's topic in Emergency

    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...

  10. picu room design

    Redneckmedic63 replied to picucrn's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    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...

  11. New grads in PICU...thoughts?

    Redneckmedic63 replied to Shanlee79's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    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...

  12. pediatric crash carts

    Redneckmedic63 replied to musherdeb's topic in Emergency

    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...

  13. Have you ever seen a seizure for hypoglycemia?

    Redneckmedic63 replied to Faeriewand's topic in General Nursing

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

  14. Commuting from WV to Ohio for work - thoughts?

    Redneckmedic63 posted a topic in General Nursing

    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,...

  15. Thoughts on hospitals near Beckley

    Redneckmedic63 replied to Epona's topic in General Nursing

    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,...

  16. Thoughts on hospitals near Beckley

    Redneckmedic63 replied to Epona's topic in General Nursing

    Dont know much about Beckley ARH anymore, but Summers Co. is very small with very limited resources. If I were going to look in that area, go to Greenbrier Valley Medical Center near Lewisburg....

  17. Staffing Ratios getting thinner - "its the economy stupid!"

    Redneckmedic63 posted a topic in PICU, Pediatric

    So I know this is re-hashing old discussions - but what trends do you guys see in PICU staffing right now? What nurse/patient staffing ratios is your unit using, and what are some of the criteria...

  18. Staffing Ratios getting thinner - "its the economy stupid!"

    Redneckmedic63 replied to Redneckmedic63's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    I should clarify that anytime we have done 4:1 it has involved floor kids/Peds overflows that had no beds. But 3:1 is not that unusual, and can often incude vented

  19. Disappointed with VA Board for their Inconsiderably Rudeness Members

    Redneckmedic63 replied to Pow82's topic in Virginia Nursing

    Amen WheelingNurse! Basic geography here - WEST Virginia vs. Virginia! Two different

  20. uniform?

    Redneckmedic63 replied to SpamiKicksAssRN's topic in General Nursing

    Cabell is Hunter Green - or as they call it, "corporate

  21. Huntington vs Charleston hospitals, salary?

    Redneckmedic63 replied to Leanne62499's topic in General Nursing

    I work at both Huntington hospitals - one fulltime, the other per deim. Both enjoy good reputations in the state, but like anything else, it depends on who you talk to. The pay is generally several...

  22. Vent and NGT Question

    Redneckmedic63 replied to GatorRN21's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    Not just for VAP protocols, but just for aspiration prevention, we always place gastric tubes (NG or OG) on intubated pts., even if short term. No more discomfort than they already have with the ETT,...

  23. Which of these would best prepare me for PICU?

    Redneckmedic63 replied to picu_boy's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    Absolutely the adult ICU. We have a very large NICU, and serve as a regional referral center for both NICU and PICU. Even at that, the great majority of NICU kids are feeder growers - prolly only...

  24. Oscillators & sedation

    Redneckmedic63 replied to cannew304's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    In our state, ketamine and propofol are both classified as anesthetic agents. RN's may initiate, monitor & often titrate infusions, but cannot give as IV pushes - that has to be done by doc or...

  25. Oscillators & sedation

    Redneckmedic63 replied to cannew304's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    We generally use fentenyl and versed drips, with minimal boluses as needed. The patients that are very difficult to sedate might receive ketamine or pentobarbital gtts instead or in addition. All of...