McCoyRN

where i used to work, all the nurses threw money in a container and the one who did the dressing change would get it. here's why... a mid 50's man w/ a h/o uncontrolled diabetes, necrotic foot ulcers, smelly and gangrenous went to his doctor for an unrelated problem. the dr told him that his tests were positive for colon cancer. being upset, the man went out binge drinking that night, got home, passed out and didn't wake up until about 38 hours later (he missed a whole day!) anyway, when he woke up, he realized that his dog had eaten off some of his toes. so he was in the hospital, pre-op for an amputation. i never got the money in the container. i still gag just thinking about it

i don't know too much about neuro icu's, but my prayers are with you. that other reply sounds very comprehensive. good luck, and remember your cranial nerve assessments!