Coffee Nurse BSN, RN

It's going to vary so much from nurse to nurse. I went through the whole AWHONN NOEP program before I tested, just to dot my Is and cross my Ts, but I've been working in level 3-4 units for 10+ years and honestly could have just winged the exam and ...

I’m so glad to hear this! I think you’ve made a great decision and will be a better nurse, a better NNP if you choose to go down that route, and- most importantly - a happier person! I started as a new grad in a level IV. If they have a solid re...

Also, it just helps to know the ins and outs of an actual working NICU. I worked with an NNP who had gone back to school after some time in a level II nursery and then got hired into my level III. She was infuriating to work with because she microm...

I just came across the thread you posted two days before this one: SERIOUSLY. Do yourself an enormous favor: withdraw from/defer this program, spend 1-2 years working in a NICU and learn firsthand what NNPs actually do before you try to becom...

ALL OF THIS. I am super skeeved at the idea of a direct-entry NNP program. At best, a BSN gets maybe a senior capstone in the NICU, and that's just learning on the fly, without a didactic course to ground the hands-on part. Figuring out how to be ...

DM is fine.

Sure, if you like.

No, I left about a decade ago. The unit is amazing but I was done living in LA.

I will add, a lot of NICU nurses get pretty protective of their patients - we're their main advocates really, since they can't speak up for themselves and their parents generally know a lot less about them than we do - which may be coming off as hars...

Having started as a new grad in a level III/IV that did have some level II kids as well, I'd go for the second option. If the level IV has a residency program then they must have figured out a way to make that work, but I personally can't imagine no...

You're at the start of your career. You have plenty of time to find "optimal happiness." Appreciate the opportunity you've been given, wring as much knowledge and experience as you can out of it, and either a) you will find you actually love med su...

I'm trying to think of a plausible backronym to boost credibility, but all I can come up with is W-U-Z-Zero Incidental Extubations.

I've definitely used the Wuzzie technique before too. Alternatively, just make sure your tape is nice and secure, and that the vent circuit won't get caught on anything and start pulling. If you have a feisty kid, make sure they can't get their han...

No. Some people pick up loads of overtime. Some don't do any. Some are anywhere in between those two extremes. Do what you want to do.

Sounds like you need to assert yourself and your needs a little more. "Sorry, I can't" is plenty of reason not to work extra. Their getting irritated with you just reflects poorly on their own staffing plans, which apparently don't work unless peop...

She's talking about a beginning-of-shift assessment, not a delivery room assessment.

Also, in addition to making the nurse's job easier/safer, it's actually kinder and more reassuring to the baby to swaddle while you're doing something unpleasant to them. I always swaddle everything except the limb I'm working on for IV starts, for ...

This 100%. How exactly does your coworker suggest you prevent the kid from accidentally decannulating himself while you perform trach care?

Agreed that it is a totally normal thing to feel like you're taking forever compared to people who've been doing this for a while. My biggest tip for time management, especially at your stage, is to start everything early and give yourself plenty of...

As long as you maintain your CE requirements, there's no problem maintaining a US license while living abroad. I kept up my NH license for the six years I lived in the UK because I knew I'd eventually be coming back. As for what address to use, pro...

Cool. Feel free to answer the OP's questions then for what is evidently an attempt at corrective action on the part of her management.

Pretty sure the point of this is for you to reflect on your own practice, not for strangers to do it for you.

If you think your syringe is full of liquid, pull the needle out of the vial and pull the plunger back a little further. If you have liquid, you'll see an air bubble appear in the syringe. If the syringe is full of air, nothing will happen because ...

Oh nooo. There is no way a brand new grad should be working independently in an ER. Either someone dropped a heck of a ball or the manager straight out lied to you in your interview. Either way, speak to your manager ASAP and don't worry about bei...

Bear in mind that not every state has the level IV designation; in some places, level III is as high as it goes. It would behoove OP to do some digging and find out what the local unit is like. There's a flipside to the coin of everything adventure...