gradcare

gradcare LPN

gen icu/ neuro icu/ trauma icu/hdu

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All Content by gradcare

  1. med/surg or tele before ICU?

    gradcare replied to lupe's topic in MICU, SICU

    MEd/surg time is an asset. Most patients will have some elements of med/surg problems be they trauma / sepsis (eg co-morbidities, needed surge etc). Also if times are quiet you may be pooled or sent...

  2. What are the dangers of hyperbaric nursing?

    gradcare replied to nursevespa's topic in Wound, Ostomy, Continence

    Just starting myself, froom the course material the risks are identical to those of the patient, action is taken to minimise risks such as going on 02 at certain times to reduce risk of decompression...

  3. Returning wasted blood to a line?

    gradcare replied to aquaphoneRN's topic in MICU, SICU

    Sounds like a lot of blood for an abg. There are several papers looking at the mininum discard volumes for various tests. I think the least discard I remember reading about was 2.5 times the volume...

  4. Dumb Question?

    gradcare replied to WeakAnkles's topic in MICU, SICU

    WHa tabout the implications of arterial embolis in the radial /femoral artery (or more probable downstream in the

  5. Advice needed - withdrawing life support & how to deal

    gradcare replied to just_peachy83's topic in MICU, SICU

    It can be sad when you "let patients go". Most people feel bad whenever they are present when the choice is made to "let go". Me I try to focus on giving the patient back to the family and returning...

  6. vents and sedation?

    gradcare replied to emmycRN's topic in MICU, SICU

    re:sedation, most people who are ventilated will be sedated initially (I've seen polypharm o.d.s and iv od's who provided their own and were tubed "dry" or flat. Simply put sedation...

  7. In Icu Are Is There A Preference For Whites

    gradcare replied to tammyg652's topic in MICU, SICU

    For mine the only thing that I prefer white in my icu is my coffee and the bed

  8. Moving to kids

    gradcare posted a topic in PICU, Pediatric

    Hi all, I am making the move from 10ys plus in adult ICU to a mixed unit which deals with all ICU cases from 4 weeks to well as old as you get. I realise that kids are not just smaller adults and it...

  9. Moving to kids

    gradcare replied to gradcare's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    Addition to last post. Vamedic4 KI held my eldest while they did NP aspirates and blood cultures while they medicos were telling me he probably had meningococcal sepsis when he was 2 and could cope...

  10. Moving to kids

    gradcare replied to gradcare's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    Thanks all, I have asked to be run through the hospital based PALS, basic will have to be passed before I go on the floor. I have already asked to do the PALS course when it is next

  11. Redeployed to ITU and hating it

    gradcare replied to MVH119's topic in MICU, SICU

    Well than it seems like you will never like ICU what about private practice ? clinics etc? Otherwise try remembering that you are not only treating the patient but also the family. Sometimes they...

  12. ICU Nurses with OCD!!!

    gradcare replied to nursern20's topic in MICU, SICU

    Two things. 1) When the excrement hits the rotary device, you need an uncluttered environment, leads, wires, old drips/ med bottles all over the place are dangerous. Also if your lines are a mess then...

  13. ICU floating policy

    gradcare replied to emmycRN's topic in MICU, SICU

    I worked in a unit that "floated" mainly to med-surg. Then we all started to "bill" the cost centers that we were floated to, arranged with our director that we were unable to take caseloads (to...

  14. Moving to kids

    gradcare replied to gradcare's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    Thanks for the input. Wrote to my new NUM (nurse manager) and conned her into sending me the PALS readings which include most of the stuff you mentioned such as "normal" vitals etc. Another plus...

  15. I have a question for all of you ICU nurses...

    gradcare replied to christvs's topic in MICU, SICU

    From my perspective the biggest need is information and then reassurance that "it will be all right". Something that we cannot give. Remember the ICU is scary (think back to when you first set foot...

  16. phone calls no outsider would believe

    gradcare replied to JBudd's topic in Emergency

    Sure but it is nice to get prior warning for a cat 1 enroute (particularly kid with compramised airway (mind you calling for the ambulance would have been a smarter move) Also worked in a remote rural...

  17. Are any of you guys as burned out as I am?

    gradcare replied to Germanicus's topic in Men in Nursing

    For me switching specialties was like a rest cure, 11 yrs doing the same thing in the same place, sometimes a change can be all you

  18. Family visitation in ICU

    gradcare replied to bfjworr's topic in General Nursing

    For mine, open slather visiting very bad for all however we have 24/7 visiting however it is made very clear to visitors that they WILL leave for round, handover and procedures. I also have my rules...

  19. Family visitation in ICU

    gradcare replied to bfjworr's topic in MICU, SICU

    For mine, open slather visiting very bad for all however we have 24/7 visiting however it is made very clear to visitors that they WILL leave for round, handover and procedures. I also have my rules...

  20. Neuro ICU - "how to test for pain response in comatose individuals

    gradcare replied to janwebsa's topic in Neuro Intensive Care, ICU

    Have had orders for narcs that read "for patient or family discomfort" when we are performing a "terminal wean" for low GCS

  21. What do ICU nurses expect from Med/Surg nurses new to ICU?

    gradcare replied to LaurynRN's topic in MICU, SICU

    Basically all I want from anyone getting into crit-care is for them to display an attitude of " I want to learn" and an awareness of their own limitations. If you can't do something don't do it but...

  22. I&O, UF rate, & CRRT

    gradcare replied to dorimar's topic in MICU, SICU

    Generally we have an order for what they want of eg 50 mls/hr off at the pump, intake plus 50 mls/hr (50 ml net negative/hr) titrate every hour based on a) current intake or b) fluid in over 24hrs /...

  23. Why the fanny packs?

    gradcare replied to kstockdaleRN's topic in Scrubs, Uniforms, Gear

    Never had the need to "bum bag it" wear a safari suit type arrangement (sure I do barry manilow impersonations on nut (oops I mean night" duty. I add cargo pants to the mix and bingo 4 large pockets...

  24. Should an old dog learn new tricks advice form MSICU & Neuro welcome (VERY LONG )

    gradcare replied to dorimar's topic in MICU, SICU

    Dorimar, Too bad you bailed, I work a mix of general, surgical and neuro (see the profile). General rule of thumb for heads is if base of skull suspected NO NGT ogt. Neuro can be rewarding sure you...

  25. Terms we will not admit to using

    gradcare replied to gwenith's topic in Nursing Humor

    TTFO = latin for "he may leave" (told to **** off) PFO = Pissed fell over TFBUNDY (direct translation too offensive however general gist = poor prognosis expected) (neuro stepdown people probably are...