dorie43rn

dorie43rn

Critical Care

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All Content by dorie43rn

  1. Visiting Hours

    dorie43rn replied to redwolf's topic in MICU, SICU

    Yea for locked doors! I wish we were as lucky. We do have restricted hours, and try and keep families out. Of course there are exceptions to the rule, but mostly not. Critical care paitents need their...

  2. Do you have CNAs in your ICU?

    dorie43rn replied to bridgfor428's topic in MICU, SICU

    We have PCAs, unit clerks, and the best of all Respiratory Therapists that take care of the vents and breathing treatments. However, we usually have only one PCA per shift to help a total of 8 nurses...

  3. How long in ICU before you felt comfortable?

    dorie43rn replied to racing-mom4's topic in MICU, SICU

    I am a little over a year in the ICU. I feel comfortable due to all the nurses willing to help when things go wrong, and to teach me when I ask questions. I am however a little nervous when I am the...

  4. If you knew then what you know now.....

    dorie43rn replied to CandyGyrl's topic in MICU, SICU

    I agree also with the job as a PCA, even casual, if possible. I did that, and got the fear of ventilators and all of the other mechanics of the ICU out of the way. I also agree with practicing good...

  5. Worksheet or Report Sheet

    dorie43rn replied to stephlucasrn2008's topic in MICU, SICU

    I leave a big enough area between the major spots like Renal, Cardio and Respitory to put what doctor saw them that day and what they suggested as care or what they ordered, or what changes in...

  6. Worksheet or Report Sheet

    dorie43rn replied to stephlucasrn2008's topic in MICU, SICU

    I find in report that if the nurse doesn't have an organized work sheet, report is random and scattered. Here is what I did: I have a sheet of copy paper per paitent, and you can make as many copies...

  7. The same question everybody keeps asking...

    dorie43rn replied to jspacegirl's topic in MICU, SICU

    I'm going to come from a different angle on why you should do at least 6 months on a med surg floor. I did that, and am in the ICU right now, and Med Surg helped me trememdously. If you can handle 6-7...

  8. Anyone work on a Liver Transplant ICU?

    dorie43rn posted a topic in MICU, SICU

    HI, I work in a MICU, but have been interested in working in a Liver transplant ICU since my husband had one in April. Tell me your experiences with these patients please. I hear they can be tough, I...

  9. Negotiating visiting hours

    dorie43rn replied to marie7217's topic in MICU, SICU

    Before they renovated our ICU, and moved it, we had locked doors and could only enter at visiting times. Now we dont' have locked doors, but we try and keep to strict visiting hours. The trouble with...

  10. ICU Nurses with OCD!!!

    dorie43rn replied to nursern20's topic in MICU, SICU

    Coming from a medsurg floor, where ICU nurses have bad reputations for being "*****y" I now see both sides. I've seen ICU nurses be downright mean to floor nurses, but, since being in the ICU for 9...

  11. Anyone work on a Liver Transplant ICU?

    dorie43rn replied to dorie43rn's topic in MICU, SICU

    I don't think exsmoking and medicaid have anything to do if she gets a liver. There are 'Scores" they go by. Is she in liver failure already? Does she drink or do drugs? What is the liver problem? All...

  12. What does your Intermediate Intensive Care look like

    dorie43rn replied to Artemis2's topic in MICU, SICU

    We have nice MSU, (intermediate ICU). They are single large rooms with bedside monitors. With all the technology in this world, I sure do wish they would come up with wireless bedside monitors....

  13. Do all the ICU RNs gossip?

    dorie43rn replied to poppy07's topic in MICU, SICU

    Before I became a nurse, I worked as a waitress and childcare worker. When you work with a bunch of women, (and some men), there is always gossip. If it bothers you, ignore it because there is no...

  14. Mouth Care Ventilator Pt: ET vs Trach

    dorie43rn replied to gtmoore's topic in MICU, SICU

    I have to disagree with the previous posts. I thing ETT tubed patients have a far greater risk of VAP then trached patients. I'm not saying that trached paitents shouldn't have aggressive oral care,...

  15. I'm so disappointed. My hospital FIRED ME!!

    dorie43rn replied to hotomalis's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    I'm hoping almost two months from your post, you and the family are doing well. I have to shake my head at how the hospital treated you. My husband has just gone through the same thing. He is in...

  16. Do you prefer 12 hour or 8 hour shifts?

    dorie43rn replied to Scrubz's topic in General Nursing

    I used to work on a med/surg floor where I worked 5 eight hour days. When I interviewd for ICU, the manager told me I would have to work some 12's. I was shaking in my boots thinking at 49 and wore...

  17. Do you prefer 12 hour or 8 hour shifts?

    dorie43rn replied to Scrubz's topic in MICU, SICU

    I used to work on a med/surg floor where I worked 5 eight hour days. When I interviewd for ICU, the manager told me I would have to work some 12's. I was shaking in my boots thinking at 49 and wore...

  18. why the cliques in nursing ?

    dorie43rn replied to iLovemyJackRT's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    In our ICU, you are made to go to the cafeteria for your lunch. They want you to have that break from the job. There are times however that none of us get lunch do to the craziness, but most times we...

  19. Paramedic/MICU a good combo?

    dorie43rn replied to bjr3645's topic in MICU, SICU

    I actually see the man's point. I was a paramedic way back, and just graduated nursing school last year. I work in the ICU now. Nursing is way different! You are no longer thinking for the moment, but...

  20. Tips on making that ICU bed look perfect after a bath

    dorie43rn replied to bluesky's topic in MICU, SICU

    In our ICU, we add wonderful smelling body washes to our bath water. We buy these on our own. The Dollar Store has tons of different smells for a buck! I bought some male body wash the other night,...

  21. Anyone work on a Liver Transplant ICU?

    dorie43rn replied to dorie43rn's topic in MICU, SICU

    About liver transplant ICU, I live near Pittsburgh where they do the most transplants anywhere, and the livers actually have their own ICU. They are the only transplant that needs an ICU unless...

  22. Using Propofol for sedation on vented pts?

    dorie43rn replied to Scrubz's topic in General Nursing

    The short half life of diprivan lets us do neuro checks daily.

  23. Using Propofol for sedation on vented pts?

    dorie43rn replied to Scrubz's topic in MICU, SICU

    The short half life of diprivan lets us do neuro checks daily.

  24. new grad having trouble w/ icu personalities

    dorie43rn replied to extraordinary067's topic in MICU, SICU

    I have been a nurse for a year, but just started in the ICU. I have only run across a couple of nasty people, the majority are great. Here is my opinion on why they treat newbies bad. They don't like...

  25. who cannot care for ventilated TB pts?

    dorie43rn replied to elizadream's topic in MICU, SICU

    I have a situation I was nervous about. My husband had a liver transplant in April, and I work in the ICU. I was scared to death of bringing something home. I ask his surgeons what to do, and they...