agilitydogs

Septic shock is usually related to extreme vasodilation. Levo is a strong alpha adrenergic stimulator which will cause arterial/venous constriction. Dopamine has alpha effects at high doses, but also has some pretty potent beta effects as well. The increased HR and oxygen demand are effects that are not needed in septic shock, so levo is the drug of choice.

I really think that it all depends on the ICU you are getting hired into. I specifically wanted CV surgical ICU, and they don't hire new grads very often. Our CCU has hired a few new grads over the years, and the regular MICU and SICU hire new grads pretty regularly. If there is a specific ICU you want, call the nurse manager and ask what it will take to get a job there. Also, working on the unit as a tech before being a nurse lets you get a feel for the culture, the nurses, the flow, and where everything is at. It is a STEEP learning curve, so it is VERY helpful to not be scared of all of the lines, have a basic idea of what the patients days are like and what the protocols are. Also helps to know which nurses are good resources and which to take their advice with a grain of salt. Good luck!!

There are a lot of factors that go into getting hired into an ICU...are the ICU's hiring? Do they have the resources for a new grad? Do you have the level of intelligence and critical thinking to prosper in an ICU (not you in particular, just in general)? Do you have the interview skills to convince the manager that they should put $50-100,000 into training you? Do you have the time to work as a tech in an ICU while in school so that you can "prove yourself" so to speak before you need a job? The people that I know that got into ICU's as new grads (myself included) all had jobs as techs in the ICU before we graduated. My best suggestion would be to get a job as a tech and work your butt off. Ask lots of questions, and show the manager that you really want that ICU position. Also, if CRNA school is in your future, it is best to keep that on the down low...managers don't like to waste money on training people that are going to up and leave. Good luck!!

I am looking for a set of Laura Vonfrolio DVD's for the CCRN. If anyone has a set they would be willing to sell (or even let me borrow with some form of collateral), I would greatly appreciate it. I have been told they are an amazing source of critical care knowledge. THANKS

would have to see it to be sure, but my guess is sinus arrhythmia. If you have central Tele monitoring, call them up and ask next time...they can usually tell you what is going on.

I made little check marks on my dry erase board every time I got a SATA question so i would know. I hate them too, and was ready to poke my eye out with a stick when I had so many of them.

Found out today that I passed my NCLEX. I felt pretty good about it when it shut off at 75 and I had 22 SATA, but nothing feels as good as when you see that PASS . I am super excited!!

took mine today...75 questions, 33 minutes, 22 SATA, 2 put in order, and one diagram. No math for me, but lots of prioritization and infection control. I feel good about it...good luck to everyone else taking it this month!!!

1. Area of Nursing: CVICU 2. Orientation time for that area: 9 months to 1 year 3. Bonus question: Nurse/pt ratio on the floor: 1:1 or 1:2

CVICU...it has been scary so far, but I love it!!!

I vote nights. I just started as a new grad in a CVICU on nights for the exact same reasons you are considering. The night nurses have a bit more time to teach (not always the case, but most of the time). Also, in our case we don't have intensivists or residents on site, so our night nurses are the more experienced nurses (our surgeons are on call). They have a lot of autonomy, and have to be able to handle many different situations on their own, so I was told that they would better be able to teach me because they had more knowledge. Good luck in your new position.

I just started as a new grad in a CVICU, and everyone highly recommended Bojar's Manual of Perioperative care in adult cardiac surgery. It is a great reference for cardiac surgery. I have read the ICU faq's as well, and they are awesome!!!

Actually, an ADN can apply for the CWOCN as long as they have a Bachelors in something. I have 2 previous BS degrees (one in math and one in biochem where I wrote no less than 10 research papers with...ohhh...statistics and all. Come to think of it, I actually did the hands on research behind the papers too), so does that make me any less of a nurse than you just because I don't have a BSN? Should I get to display my 2 previous degree's on my badge just so I can "proudly display" all of the hard work that went into those degrees? No. I would PROUDLY display my ADN if my hospital would allow it, but I think if every certification and degree were put on a badge, we would run out of room .

I was hired into a CVICU as a GN, and from that experience my advice would be...If they do ask you specific patient type questions, and you don't know the answer, don't hesitate to say I don't know, but give them possible options to find the answer. As a newbie in a critical care unit, they will put a ton of weight in the fact that you are willing to say you don't know something. It means a heck of a lot more that you can say "I am not sure" than it would if you tried to wing an answer. Critical care units are not the place to be winging anything if you don't know and you don't have experience to back you up. Good luck, and remember that your humble willingness to learn and be a TEAM PLAYER will be your greatest assets in a critical care unit while you get your feet wet.

I am a student getting ready to graduate (just 4 more preceptorship days left!!), and I was wondering what Evidence Based practice means to those of you out there working. We hear a lot about it in school, but I want to know what some real world applications are. Is it just a concept that is touted in the schooling environment, or is it actually implemented in real life situations. Do your floors/Units have EBP committees to keep up with current research and the ramifications of that research? Do your managers and charge nurses encourage you to keep up with Journals? Any input you may have is appreciated.:paw: