TX_ICU_RN

I started my career in pedi and quickly went through a MSN program to get my Pedi NP. I loved being a PNP, but have been a stay-at-home-mom for the past 4 1/2 years. On Monday, I am starting a job in an adult ICU and I know that I am going to continu...

I am a nurse who recently changed from being a Pedi NP to working in an adult ICU as a RN. I have been there for 4 months and can't imagine going to CRNA school with only 1 year of ICU experience as your only nursing experience. The learning curve is...

I did when I first started practicing, but the first time I had to see a patient that REALLY did not want to see a NP changed my mind. The doc had to leave to go to the hospital for an emergency and the mom decided she would "settle". The tension was...

Good Luck!! I can't wait until I can say the same. I am actually going to orientation on July 31st for my post master's ACNP program. I am already a PNP, but have switched to the adult arena.

My husband has worked as a NP in the ER for years. His speciality is FNP, which has served well up until lately. The FNP is GREAT if you are doing urgent care/fast track. However, if you want to get into more complex cases and procedures, having both...

I am a former Pedi NP who has taken the last four years off to be a SAHM. When I started looking for jobs recently, I decided to look for a job in an adult ICU. I know it is a HUGE change, but I have always wanted to do ICU and know that I could not ...

I have been in solid recovery for six months now and recently went back to work. The transition from staying at home with my kids to going back to work has made recovery more difficult on its own...but I am also finding somethings at work that are tr...

I am so sorry you had such a bad experience. I just recently found a really good trauma therapist, but I have to pay out-of-pocket. Until last summer, I NEVER would have paid out of pocket for a therapist. However, I was having life-threatening issue...

I agree with the others...south of I-20. With the Rangers, Cowboys, UTA, Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor in central Arlington, it can be a nightmare.

I live in DFW and 5 years of experience should get you $27-30/hour MAX base at most facilities. The cost of living here is significantly less than many other places across the nation. If you have not lived in Texas before, I would visit Houston and o...

Hey! I have lived in DFW since I was 7 and love it here. My husband and I met in nursing school and have been married for 12 years. We have three kids, 16 (his daughter from a previous marriage), 11 year old son, and 9 year old daughter. We both got ...

I learned this the REALLY HARD WAY!!! I just went back to work two months ago after taking 4 years off to stay at home with my kids and also to recharge myself. I got Rheumatic Fever in Dec 2003 that resulted in multiple hospitalizations and then end...

I work in the ICU and this frustrates me as well. However, OR deaths are a HUGE issue as far as reporting and I am 99.9% sure that an autopsy is required of anyone who dies in the OR. An autopsy will be done if the patient needs it, but there are man...

It all depends on the position you are taking. Here are a few tips my husband and I have learned along the way: 1) Productivity bonus - This should be based on any money you bring in after you have "made" your salary for the year. For example: Base S...

I am about to start my Post-Master's Certification for my Acute Care NP. I spent several years working as a PNP and then took some time off to raise a family. During this time, I spent a lot of time soul-searching on where I wanted my career to go wh...

Laura Gasparis CD review course! I just started studying for the exam and am finally going to break down and buy them. You can put them in your car and on your ipod and listen to them anytime you want.

What length are the shifts you work? I know some hospitals do 3 12 hour shifts one week and then 4 the next. Some hospitals do 5 8's a week and some do 3 12's one week and then 3 12's and 1 8 the next week. I would start by trying to get the topic on...

I am SO excited!!! I used to work as a Pedi NP and then took four years off to raise my kids. In March, I started working in an Adult ICU (I wanted to try something different) and I love it. I have always wanted to do critical care, but I get too att...

Remember with Danskos that they are supposed to fit big. My first pair of Danskos was a backless pair and I fell in love with them very quickly. I have RSD/CRPS in my right foot and leg and I have spent a lot of time trying to find the right shoes. I...

Here are some questions I would ask you that may help you start to figure this out: 1) What is the patient's baseline health condition and nutritional status? 2) What is the patient's age and sex? 3) Does the patient have any endocrine, renal or hear...

I think this will always be a difficult thing in the ICU. My ICU has visiting hours from 8:30a-10:00a, 12:00p-1:30p, 4:30p-6:00p, and 8:30p-10:00p. During all other hours we are a completely locked unit. The nurses are always allowed to make exceptio...

If you are wanting to stay in the DFW area, I would recommend TWU-Dallas and UT Arlington. I have attended and taught at both schools. TWU-Dallas would be my first choice and UT Arlington would be my second. Good Luck!

Thanks! It really helps that I am coming to the ICU after being a nurse for several years. Although most of my background is outpatient pedi, there is so much that you bring to the table as an experienced nurse. I went in expecting things to be like ...

I have finished all the hospital and nursing orientation....FINALLY!!!!! Tomorrow night will be my first actual shift on the unit. I have so many emotions running through me right now. I am excited, scared, thrilled, petrified...all over the map. I k...

Considering a PICC is a central line, I would not take a BP in an arm with a PICC. Even taking it in the forearm could increase the pressure above the cuff creating problems for the PICC.