NiteRocker

I am thankful for.... LIFE! The thing that God gave to all of us; believers or not. As nurses this is the thing we do our best to preserve. Yes, we hope to hold pain, infection, emotional issues at bay, but the one thing we are at our job for is LIFE. I can't accept the "let um go" attitude. My life, your life, and their life is worth every effort that can be gathered from within. Somebody loves each and everyone of us. LIFE is hard and it hurts. But, isn't it worth it?!! You have changed a life today with your smile. Don't stop!! Be proud and thankful that as a nurse you have this beautiful opportunity. :heartbeat God Bless, Nite Rocker

I made the change from NICU to OR; best of both worlds! Go for it! Staying within the same hospital allowed me to keep PTO and benefits unchanged. Like a new job without being a new job!

Many professional nurses are trending toward BSN requirement. Maybe that's his issue, not you. Keep showing your experience...and keep your head up. During my first week in the OR I had a CRNA to tell that I "was going to be a glorified secretary. Why ever would you want to leave the ICU? You'll be taking care of doctor's instead of patients." Now I always make a point to go overboard with him. I overemphasize that I "taking care of my patient". hehe!

Everyday is different in the OR! I have just finished a 6 month orientation which included the AORN peri-op program. There have been days that I just wanted to run, but over all I am glad I made the change from the floor to the OR. I'll do my first in-house call over the upcoming holidays. I'm looking forward to it since I know that I'm with a Scrub Tech that has a lot of OR experience. Good Luck!

How I hate the hat hair! Know of any surgical hats that don't flatten. I've got the terry cloth band, boufont style already. The paper hat elastic hurts my head and it is hot, too. I suppose I need to just keep a travel hair dryer to 'fix the flat'. :chuckle

You posted 8 months ago...are you still there? Did it get any better? Hope you made a difference in the lives of those going to that facility. I'd hate toknow I was in a place where everyone hated being there.

Thanks JustJenny...Sounds like you and I are in the same boat! Some days I still don't know...but I'm not to be defeated!

I've asked myself this same question. 5 months now. I'm a ICU nurse to OR transplant. Thought I'd be more comfortable, but through those doors everything is different! I'm sticking with it, but it is hard to go from being a resource to others in ICU to a newby.

You guys are great! Thanks for the input. I also learned that there are some OR mixes on iTunes. Some are a much graffic, but there are some really cute ones. I'll post the ones I pick, meanwhile, keep letting me know!

What are some of your favorite tunes played in the OR? Many of the Docs bring their I-Pods. I'd like to load some great tunes on mine too. Often they forget theirs or the Fellow/Residant doesn't have one. :jester:Of course, a few "appropriate" ones would lighten the moment..."Bad to the Bone..." So, any thoughts?

Great for you! I'm in the Periop 101 course now. Loving it! Another RN, took the course at another hopsital and now here, said she had a great experience too. I'm half way through and feel like I'm starting to put it all together. I'm ready! Good luck.

I'm there! Expect 4-6 months of orientation. AORN periop 101 being used. So...I'm loving it so far. I feel welcomed and look forward to joining this team.

Part of the preparation for a expected death is the planning. What will they see? What will they feel? What will happen before, during and after? How long will they be with their child? Who will see? observe their grief? What atricles can they keep? Will it be quick? Why does it happen quickly? Why does it happen slowly? How can we be sure the baby does not suffer? Can I have my famliy; any number? My priest? Voodoo? I have worked NICU for 5 years. These are the most common questions. Often on nights...because they are planning for the next day. What if I can't stay? Will my baby be alone? Please do all you can to help OUR parents. This was not the outcome that they expected. It is uncomfortable; but just imagine how uncomfortable they are. What a wonder...being at someones death. You see them to the other side. What ever your beleif.

Wear my own; but it seems a matter of time. The NICU here is drillying down to the most possible cause for infection. No ring, no watch, no beyond elbow clothing, cut nails; hand washing monitors, daily change of all Central IV tubing...where does it stop. In a surgical NICU, there is bound to be infection. Yet, we, the nursing staff, seem to be at blame for any infection. Where does it stop?

It's RSV season; NO siblings under 12 years...hospital policy. Otherwise, we have activities. Color sheets, distractions...DVD's. Many families come at night when there younger kids can sleep in the wagon; spring time. OR, they leave the kids at home and come late. Most of the time they come seperate when there are other siblings. On the occasion when there is shere caos; we ask them to leave. It is not in the best interest of the baby that we care for. Ultimately, we went the baby at home; and he can not get there if he is overwhelmed with stuff.

1. Organization just comes...to any nurse spcecialty. 2. Be thourgh...Don't rush; there are time constraints related to assignments, but know what you know. After severel hundrend, it is much faster; but get your routine. 3. I enjoy the outcome. It is a long task; but if you have patience and stay in your area, you will be rewarded with the well babies. Least, is the poor outcomes; but you can't redict. So, you treat every baby as if they have the best chance...even when history says different. 4. $ differs from region to region...shift to shift. If greater than $20 these days, I'd say your doing good. The larger the hospital the better the pay overall...diffs included. 5. 12's. Unfortunatly were are pigeoned holed into 12 hours. I tried 8's; but gave it up because my co-workers always compained when they had to go home or float. I loved it; but hated being the bad guy, so I gave it up and went back to 12 hrs. 6. Duties...vary. Routine care to Sunday head, length, etc; and Wed pm central line dressing change. Other than that the norm for a surgical NICU. 7. Chose me. I was working Well babies; then my firends went to NICU in a close by hospital. I followed them because they loved it. Only 2 patients. 8. Can you handle the sick and dying baby. They are common. Not everyone is to be saved by modern medicine. As much as we wish; so just aren't able to be saved. 9. I love the surgical NICU. Different from a delivery NICU. We know when admits are coming. Sergeons fix; we recouporate; and manage complications. I love it! For anyone desiring the NICU; I'd say try it. You WILL be overwhelmed; but it comes in time. Our babies need strong nurses.

Trisomy 18... I've been taking care of this lovely child for 6 months. I want to do something special for the parents. How can I preserve his dignity for a special valentines gift to the parents? Hand prints? Foot prints? I'm thinking something like in Pre-K. A memory that may never have time to develope...unless given a gentle nudge. Any ideas?

How is OR different from other specialties? What do you enjoy? Was it hard to learn?

That was pretty quick reply! Good for you. What kind of interview questions were you given. I'm looking at changing specialties, so newby to seasoned...thanks for the info!

For years I have wanted to transition from NICU to OR. I have so enjoyed my 5 years in a surgical NICU. But, it seems to be time to move on. I would be within the same Children's hospital. How can I make the most of an interview? I have an RNC in High risk neonates. I want to show that I'm willing to put forth the effort of learning. Any pointers?

Well glad to see 'not tolerated' is the common thread for night sleeping. Clarify...'Sleep' is head down with drool, but nap to me is head in hand, eyes closed, but aware of surrounding events, ie alarms. Those "nappers" do their job, I think quality of care is there, but it just looks bad to appear to be inattentive. There are so many alarms. The get there quick ones will send any nurse into addrenalin rush, but the KVO's, leads loose, Pox 1%into alarm seem to be answered slower by the napper. This can wake the other patients and cause others to stop what they are doing to help. I can't say the dissappearing thing is an issue. How do people do that?

Love the google images. There are lots of really good representations of what I see in my surgical unit. I worked in a delievery hospital for a short while. The issue babes were not seen very often; and when they were they were transported out very quickly. So, use these images to help you learn, but be careful sharing the info with parents. It can be very overwhelming to them. They are emotionally charged and it can be more than they can handle... and a legal issue for you.

A BIG no-no...but some RN's still do it. And, for the most part get by with it. HOW? It is embarrassing to the unit when there is a float nurse not to mention the alarms answered on their behalf. Noone wants to be a snitch, but it's always the same people...night after night. Management must know about the problem, but what is done. I know discipline is sometimes unknown, but come on. I get tired too. I have kids too. I plan accordingly, so that I can sleep...for the most part. These are my friends/co-workers. It's not fair for morale between night shift and day shift to be torn down because of a few offenders. Yes, they know. How is this handeled in your unit?

So, Steve, do you feel safe practicing in PICU with all these unfamiliar variables? Is the unit helpful in assigning age appropriate kids? Are you self-motivated to independantly learn what's needed in all areas? Honestly, just seeking my own comfort level. My unit has hired 10 or so new RN's. Any extra time will soon be drastically less in my unit, except for the multiple RN's that are going out on maternity leave. (short term problem)

No to belly lines, unless there is a doc's order. Parents seem to understand for the most part. It's just to easy to displace lines...feeding, ETT, UA/UV's. So, anytime a parent desires to hold we go through the whole senario. Mostly, holding of infant in this category is done on day shift. Docs are readily available if an issue arrises. Parents learn the rules and we go from there.