ccnicurn

to Sophie

hey, thanks for your response, was wondering if you could give me a copy of that flowsheet you are talking about?

Thank you for your replies.... it is helpful!

Just wondering how often you all change out your isolettes, both with and without humidity? Also, wondering how you show when an isolette has been changed, do you tape a card to the isolette, use a piece of tape, or have some other way to show when an isolette has been changed? Thanks, I am working on revising our policy in our level 3 nicu and wanted some feedback. Thanks again!

not to worry...many units (not just the NICU) have the pecking order, which is established by nurses showing their skill level and professionality, which also only comes with experience. I know it is hard to be at the bottom, but as other posts have said, do your assignments, watch others, and be willing to absorb as much knowledge from the more seasoned staff. Usually, the more seasoned nurses take kindly to someone willing to learn, and they do afterall have an abudance of knowledge for you to tap into. You will see that after a while, you won't feel like such a newbie. Hang in there, keep loving your job, and soak up all you can!

we have has docs that continue feeds during indocin/neoprofen and those that make the child NPO. We've asked why, given that we are aware of decreased gut perfusion with both medications(or the potential for). The docs who conitinue feeds have explained that they too have research evidence stating that NEC is assosiated with not feeding early enough in the micropremies (which is contrary to what was thought just a few years ago, when we made all micropremies NPO because it was thought that feeding too soon would increase the risk of NEC!). The bottom line is that there is ongoing research on NEC, and it seems we are getting conflicting results. I feel this can be contributed to the fact that NEC still remains a mystery for the most part....we still aren't sure what the difinative cause is, and though we have narrowed down possible contributing factors and populations most at risk, we still don't know for sure. For instance, how about that 37weeker that comes to us from the well baby nursery, pale and green, diagnosed with NEC and perf?

you can either do as GoldenEagleRN suggested, or if your college/hospital doesnt have an externship program, you can work as a PCA in a NICU while finishing your nursing degree. Thats what I did, and I felt I was able to gain great exposure and experience by being in the unit. Once I graduated and had my RN, there was lots to learn, but I felt comfortable with the equipment and the patient population because I had gotten to work with them as a PCA. Good Luck!

I have found the book "neonatology review" by Dara Brodsky, MD, and Camillia Martin, MD, very helpful as an ongoing resource. It is nice because it is more in a detailed outline format rather than long neverending chapeters. It has all important info starting with antepartum through chronic lung disease. Arterial blood gas interpretation, lab values, diseases specific to the NICU and treatments, etc. I will be using it as a review when I sit for my NNP licensure. Hope it helps!

Wow, sounds like you have some trouble on your hands. What kind of work do you do (in what setting)? Regardless of what setting you are in, your boss is behaving unprofessionally. She clearly steps over boundaries that should be in place, particularly ones that exhibit respect for her employees. The best way to handle a situation like this is to be direct and honest with her about your feelings. Ask to meet with her privately, and share your feelings in an open, neutral (not attacking or accusing) manner....make sure to approach it from a perspective of wanting to come to a mutual understanding, not complaining. If she has any worth as a boss, she should take this constructively and things should go well. If not, does she have a boss? Be prepared to take it to the next level if her unprofessional behavior continues. Chances are, you are not the only one who is offended by her behavior. Overall, you need to establish your boundaries with her and stick to them!

Thanks for your responses....I do try to steer clear of her, but it can be very hard to do so. She finds a way to get involved in everything, even personal and private issues! I just don't see how someone so passive-agressive and manipulative can gain so much power, to intimidate other people and try to get others in trouble! She runs to the nurse managers and insists specific people be "written up." This in turn causes damage to these people's reputation, which is tragic. She is one of those people who is overly nuturing and nice to your face when you are new, etc (she loves the preceptor/mentor role), then sets out to destroy you once you are able to stand on your own two feet. She has even gone as far as to prevent one of our staff nurses who got her NNP from being able to secure an NNP position at our institution! Guess her life is so miserable that she is an overall miserable person!

Hi all.... I've been a nurse now for about 5 years, and have worked in a few different NICU units, only to find that each is full of back-biting gals that love to find a hot topic to talk about. I work with one in particular, who is a more senior nurse and seems to intimidate those she works with as well as the nurse managers. She has a personal (not sexual) relationship with one of the attending physicians, and everyone seems scared of her. She is extremely two-faced, and constantly has her nose into everything that goes on in the unit, including other people's personal business. Needless to say, she is quite aggressive at times, and acts as though she can do no wrong. I am a pretty assertive, outgoing person myself, but do not have near the seniority that she does. I am extremely frustrated with her behavior (as mentioned above), but know that "rocking" her boat will only make matters worse for me. She has been known to make life a living he** for those who go against her, yet she is constantly talking down about someone. Any suggestions? Thanks for listening.