RN4Little1s

We have the soft band on the baby that has a place to loop through the laminated-type ID band. Most of us put it on their lower extremities and on the outside of any clothing they have. If bundling the baby, it is easy to pull out the looped ID band ...

We are having a huge problem with this! We are supposed to write a safety report every time it happens... we can't be drawing CBCs one after another on these tiny babies, depleting their body! As the ones drawing labs, we felt we were doing everythin...

Check placement with every feed or med given by making sure tube is at same measurement, air bolus pop, and aspiration. With continuous feeds, we check aspirates Q4 hours. We record residuals and alert physician if it is high. No pH testing at all. X...

The trend of weight gain is most important. When you weigh the baby with their ETT, the weight is not exactly the weight of the baby no matter how hard you try! Once CPAP is placed on the baby, yes the initial weight may change... but after that when...

Disconnecting the infant from the vent can make it easier to flip their head sometimes, however this leads to an increase in ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). I try not to disconnect unless there is a large amount of water in the tubing. Our RTs...

There are several pods with 6 bedpots each. We are not supposed to have any food or drinks EXCEPT pregnant or breastfeeding women can have water. Isn't that crazy? If the water can be in the pod... why can't everyone have water? That said, most peopl...

We post have a large dry erase board divided into sections. Next to bedspot and pt name there is a spot for primaries labeled with "Day," "Night," and "Weekend." Then there is another block next to that for Associates to sign up. You can only have on...

We do more along the lines of what you were thinking. When a baby is admitted, nurses sign up to be the day shift, night shift, and weekend primary (because we have several straight weekenders). Whenever that nurse is working, they will have that bab...

It sounds like you are leaning toward #2. You will learn more and be more valuable in the NICU field if you ever need to move to a different area. And you said you like the town better while it is a closer drive to "home." And there will be less floa...

I realize most parents choose to stay away when they are sick until they start feeling a little better, but you actually deny parents access? Can they not just wear a mask? I can't imagine the way a parent must feel to actually be told they cannot co...

We are doubling up bed spots - SO full! Several really sick ones with my new little friend being one of them.

We'll place a foley as well if their urine output drops off or we need more specific measurements or we need to separarte urine/stool. Is that odd?

Have you read about this nurse who worked her 1st day in the NICU... and gave formula through an IV? http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=8076645

We use them on infants >1000gms on PICC insertion sites. We don't use them on umbilical lines... never thought of that.

If they are losing weight, their nutritional issue must be treated and they will soon have a feeding tube down again. I agree that parent education about enteral feedings should be completed and if the parents and medical team are comfortable with it...

3 kg baby boy with first time 20 year old dad who has never really touched a baby. Changes his first meconium diaper, which was a big poop. He was very proud of himself. Asks totally seriously, "Can you tell me how much the diaper weighed? Was it a c...

School nursing - but those jobs are hard to get! Even then, you get bloody noses and kids who may need injections... Everything I can think of that a new grad would do involves blood or grossness in some way. Has she considered any other paths in the...

Ask nurses you are working with if any of their babes have a whopping murmur, and take a listen so you can start with a loud one and work your way to recognizing smaller ones. And yes, I had to learn that the as the PDA closes it gets louder and loud...

I do work NICU and I do cry when I get attached to patients and they pass away. I got teary with my first discharge too! My big rule of thumb is to never be more emtional than the parents of that baby when they are near death or during bereavement ca...

By the tone you use to talk about your precepter, I think you realize how she is not helping you to become a good nurse. She is not being patient or kind. And it sounds like she is trying to expose you to "harsh realities" of the ICU by telling you t...

We use mostly high flow. On some preemies we will use CPAP and sometimes on bigger kids if they are on 8 L high flow and it's not enough. Some fellows love it and some don't. When they are on CPAP we rotate between mask and prongs to prevent skin bre...

Sometimes the families and nurses get very close, and there have been family members who have taken advantage of nice nurses - saying "oh XXX other primary let's me read the chart whenever I want" (we are to have an MD present to answer any questions...

For us, in general the preceptor/orientee duo has first choice of the assignements no matter who had he/she the day before. However, if the kid is REALLY sick, then the primary will most likely take him/her. No hard and fast rule on this.

Heel sticks for labs unless we need a large amount or a CBC keeps clotting. Our RTs do our art sticks (and a doc if nobody can get it). Remember some basics. Keep gravity in your favor! get the foot lower than the body, up that HOB some more. Inside...

I was actually going to ask the same question, and I noticed this today! Our unit has always had a place to sign up as a "primary" for a baby - we make our own assignments together at the board in each room at the beginning of each shift. However, th...