NICU Mama

I worked in a unit in the past where we kept all infants less than, I think it was 1500 gms, who were on a ventilator, in the midline position for the first 7 days of life. This meant they had to stay supine or side-lying as long as they were kept mi...

Thank you all for your input. I am passing the information on to my NM so she can decide which one to get for use to use. NICUMama

My unit is currently looking into changing the tubing we use for enteral feeds to make sure the tubing is not accidentally hooked up to an IV. What tubing to you use? I'm looking for something that is color coded so it stands out from IV tubing, bu...

I would definately recommend nursing as a career. I listened to others when I was younger and did not go into nursing when I first thought of it. Instead I became a secretary and then real estate paralegal. I never felt any job satisfaction. When I w...

Thanks janfrn. I'll wait for Wed. NICUmama

I was just curious about how you all do gravity feeds. We usually tape ours to the inside or outside of the isolette. But if the baby is in a giraffe isolette, we use the "arm" so if the top is acidentally opened, it won't rip the ng tube out. But, a...

I have to TOTALLY disagree with the above poster! Part of why I chose a nursing career is because I also wanted a family. I wanted a job that could be flexible. I see my family way more now than when I worked 8-5 five days a week. And we NEVER had to...

I was told the same thing when I was considering a nursing career. Because of that, I didn't go into nursing when I originally wanted to and instead did something different. I was never happy with my second choice. About ten years later, I decided I ...

First we would float someone to NBN or Pedi, if they have a need. If there is no need to float, then we cancel or place someone on-call starting with any per-diems on the schedule. If there is no need to float and no one wants to be cancelled or pl...

Thank you for all your replies. I'm still waiting for my NM and clinical educator's response. I'll let you know what they say.

When you give a platelet transfusion, do you draw up the platelets with a blood filter or not? We do when we give a PRBC transfusion, but not sure with platelets. One guideline I found on my unit said to use the standard blood filter, but most of the...

If you want a job in a NICU, then apply for it. The NICU I work in now hires new grads. They have a limited number of new grads that they can hire each year though. I know a new RN who applied at my NICU, didn't get it, applied to another NICU nea...

How about this...You are changing their diaper and they reach their hand down there. You wipe their hand, but how clean do you really get it? Then they put thier hand up to their mouth. Yuck!:barf01:We had a baby with a PICC line who became sick. The...

i studied the same book steve21rn mentioned - it's a great resource. keep reviewing the study questions in the study guide. i also used my merenstein and gardner when i wanted a little more in depth review. good luck!

I'm just wondering what other NICU's policies are. Where I work now, all of our ng/og feeds are given on a pump unless the volume is less than 5 cc's, in which case we hold the syringe and let it go in by gravity. I'm hearing that we are going to be ...

I've worked in three different NICU's in three different states, and none one had a policy on changing linen. Two of the three had policies on changing the isolettes (every 14 days or sooner if soiled and needed). As far as changing the linen, I know...

Like someone else said, you won't know if you like it until you try it. There are tons of people who graduate from college with certain degrees, but then get jobs in some other field. I was told by a family member who is a nurse that I should not bec...

Our NICU does this. Every week a meeting is held with the parents and it includes just about everyone you mentioned: neo, RN, SW, lactation consultant, RT, and anyone else who might be invloved in the baby's care. Current issues, plans of care, expec...

has anyone who took the pen & paper rnc exam on august 17, 2007, received their results yet? i know they say it could take up to six weeks, but it's been three and i'm anxious to find out. thanks for responding!

HATE it!!!. Clinacc is sooooooooo much better!

We filter lipids and TPN.

One recommendation to me this year during my evaluation was to become certified in either CCRN or RNC. In your opinion, is one better than the other, and if so, why? Thanks for your input. NICU Mama

Registered Nurse Certified. The certification is through NCC (the national certification Corporation) after a registered nurse takes and passes the exam. NCC currently offers exams in: Inpatient Obstretric Nursing Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing Lo...

32 hrs/wk (two 12's and one 8) night shift.

Thank's for the input. I think I'll take the RNC exam. Our facility just recently became approved to be a test taking site, so that makes it more convenient also. Now I have to get studying!!!