Bikerchic

I used to like starting IV's on adults, but after 7 months of trying on the babies and not being successful I am real frustrated. I can get a blood return many times but then it blows when I advance it. I have never tried a scalp vein yet, but I think they work well. We have a transilluminator; I like it but it can be awkward. And I learned from a more experienced nurse that it is easier to start an IV in a bigger baby without it. Has anyone had problems with their catheters? We have been through 2 different types since I started. One type was sent back to the manufacturer who tested them and found them to be troublesome also. I forgot what happened since I never saw it, but I think it left a small lump under the skin next to the insertion site. What type do you use? I just started back to work 2 days ago after being gone since Nov. but I think we are back to using Jelco, which was discontinued before my orientation, so I never used it myself. We had an angiocath after that. Any tips on how to get proficient at starting IV's? Or how to advance them without blowing them? Thanks.

Hi Hefe, and MetheBabiesR.N., I wish you luck Hefe and hope you start feeling more comfortable and confident as the days go by. Hi MethebabiesRN, my that screen name is long, what can I call you for short? Thanks for writing back again. It must be difficult to come to the states for training. There is no other way? Like ceu tests or neonatal books.

Hi everyone. I couldn't believe all the responses I found when I signed on today. I have been on a leave of absence since Thanksgiving for depression and stress. And I have ignored this site because I didn't want to think about work or go back to work. I handed in my resignation, and then the manager called me and offered to put me on second shift for 24 hours instead of night shift for 32 hours. I will give it a try. I go back soon. During my time off I've done alot of reflecting and decided to not be so hard on myself. I will give this shift a chance. I will ignore the rude comments, and tell myself I am doing the best I can and that everyone makes mistakes. I always learn from my mistakes and I'm honest. I report my mistakes instead of hiding them, which is why it looks like I make more, I think. I hope to learn how to pay more attention to detail. The dr. thinks I have ADD. I thing I have many symptoms of it, but I contribute them to other things. I am scared to death about going back after 2 months off. All the encouragement you've given me is certainly helping. Thanks so much, Bikerchic

Hi NurseIam and Nell, thanks for the advice. My unit is going to be doing a trial of 12 hours, but not everyone wants to and most of the nurses don't think it'll work out. I am #1-5 lowest seniority depending on the night I work so I get frozen often, though others will take it for the night off at times. and they freeze for lack of staffing. Like I mentioned, If you get frozen you get the next night off, which is a vicious ongoing cycle. We have a union, and we are complaining, but not much happening so far. And as far as working somewhere else, we are the only level III in the state. There is a level II, but they aren't hiring. I just bought an elliptical trainer and will try that. I need to think clearer at night, I just got a verbal warning for not paying attention to details when I had a problem with a uac the other night. Now I'm super stressed. I feel like I am just not going to make it as a nurse, and at times am still ready to leave nursing, but I hate giving up. I don't have an education to go anywhere other than nursing, and I tried other hospitals and didn't like it there either. I have to come up with a plan to pay more attention to details. Does anyone have a plan that works for them if they had an issue with this? I also have to ask for help more, yeah- of the nurses who will then talk about me for having to ask. I am requesting to cut my hours from 32 to 24 for now even though I'll lose family insurance and dental. My husband can get the insurance for us, just not the dental. I'm hoping that will help. there is no other shift available, and finding a day shift anywhere in the hospital, or in a nursery anywhere else in this state is near impossible. thanks for reading and for the help. much appreciated. I love this site, you guys are great! Wish you worked near me.

Hi everyone, Having a hard week, seems usual lately. Need a pick me up. Anyone want to tell how many years it took before you felt like you knew what you were doing? And what do you like about working in the nicu? I love it, but it is stressful and the hours, weekends, mandatory overtime suck.(I know, get over it. right?) Also, anyone working nocs want to give me advice on how to have a life without sleeping away every hour you have at home. I don't even have time for exercise, and I am gaining wt, feel terrible, and huff and puff walking down the street(when I do that, that is, and I'm not overweight, just very out of shape and flabby around the middle and the back end and??? someone mentioned to me a cross country trainer is fairly inexpensive and more fun than a treadmill. I own tons of aerobic videos, but don't stick with it. and I don't want to leave the house. I have been at my unit for almost 1 year and am finding it hard to fit in. Last night I had a busy 3 baby assignment and was close to tears while others in my bay had 1 or 2 babies and sat with thier calendars and catalogs and complained that my pulse ox monitors were off and the noise was too much. I work in a 60+ bed unit and find it hard to fit in with the nurses who know each other and don't let all new peope in.. I am quiet and not real funny, so I don't fit in like the new guy around the block. He is the only male there and he gets lots of help and attention, and more orientation and more challenging assignments. I try to ask questions to get them involved, and sometimes that is met with irritation or talk about how I don't know enough. any ideas on how to handle this. Tell me, now that you read this long message, what do you do for fun?