ilstu99

ilstu99 specializes in NICU.

Latest Activity

1. Returning to my first love

   ilstu99 replied to Polaris0000002's topic in NICU, Neonatal

   Interview around. Take tours of the units. Meet some staff members. Get to know the managers a little. They'll be loving you, so you need to decide if you love them. Then go with your

2. Fluid Changing practices

   ilstu99 replied to NANSNURSE's topic in NICU, Neonatal

   Medium. There are multiple providers on the floor during the day, and usually a couple on nights and weekends. They do all dressing and equipment changes PRN. It seems to work for us. If I need a...

3. Fluid Changing practices

   ilstu99 replied to NANSNURSE's topic in NICU, Neonatal

   Either an NNP or an

4. Question about soap.

   ilstu99 replied to NANSNURSE's topic in NICU, Neonatal

   We don't use soap until they're > 1500g. Under 1500g, we use the soft gauze, and warm water (also the Enfamil stuff, left in the isolette). When they move to soap baths, we use an Aveeno baby

5. LOW Census

   ilstu99 replied to Sweeper933's topic in NICU, Neonatal

   We were pretty slow at the end of August to the middle of September, but we've picked right back up. I swear, there must have been an IVF party somewhere about 6 months ago. We're packed to the gills...

6. No longer shadowing, but WORKING :-)

   ilstu99 replied to WildcatFanRN's topic in NICU, Neonatal

   It sounds like it's going well! That's awesome. Those itty bitties don't seem to know they're so tiny. They have a lot of 'tude! Let me tell you...the first time someone asked ME for an opinion, or...

7. What is the Highest Bilirubin you've ever seen?

   ilstu99 replied to dawngloves's topic in NICU, Neonatal

   So far - 26. My favorite resource RN had a transfer admit who was at 34. I don't want to even

8. Fluid Changing practices

   ilstu99 replied to NANSNURSE's topic in NICU, Neonatal

   We change at the bedside. Clean technique, plus mask. TPN/clear IVF tubing Q72. IL/insulin/aminosyn tubing Q24. RN's don't change anything other than the tubing on any central line. Any other...

9. Starting a week from Monday! Plus question..

   ilstu99 replied to JdNNurse2B's topic in NICU, Neonatal

   Are there less-popular, alternate locations for the NCLEX in your area? I drove a little farther, but it was worth it. Less traffic, cheaper hotel rooms, and less people to take the "good spots." If...

10. Policy/Practice with capped PICC

    ilstu99 replied to RN4Little1s's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We don't use heparin in our unit. All lines not in use are flushed Q6. I think there's a thread very similar to this one a little farther down the

11. Duoderm as adhesive tape?

    ilstu99 replied to baby21's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We use the Vigilon, too. I :redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe it. It reminds me of a burn dressing. Super easy to work with, can be cut to size quickly, and holds with just a little webril. The BEST...

12. Is this the best decision?

    ilstu99 replied to narcissus's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    "Normal" is relative. A normal term baby doesn't look anything like a "normal" 28-weeker. Some of the skills you will use will cross over, but much of it is exceptionally different: the terminology,...

13. UACs and tegaderm use

    ilstu99 replied to NICU_Nurse_3986's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    No...no covering. The stump dries, and the access spots kind of shrivel around the lines. Nature's little Tegaderm. We don't even bridge, or tape the lines down. We put tape around the line, and...

14. Is this an outdated visitation policy?

    ilstu99 replied to Burnt Out's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Ours is a closed unit with an open floor plan. No windows for "viewing." Parents are allowed 24/7, except during shift change. Parents can designate 2 "support persons," if they wish, who also can...

15. Volunteer Cuddling

    ilstu99 replied to scrabblern's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    No. Our volunteers don't do any patient care. The only babies that our techs are allowed to hold are in cribs, so generally the grower/feeder population. Even then, we still practice developmental...