asher315

I remember in school being told over and over again that a good nurse was a life-long learner and there you are. You can be retired but you will always be a nurse! And someday I hope to be you-retired! I'm at 32+ years and counting. Enjoy your book!

Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock.

In our unit, most incubator babies are feeder/growers with temp problems. Rarely they might have a PIV but nothing else. Our incubators are oriented parallel to the wall and babies heads are usually on the left side. I like to change my babies position from time to time and will put their head in the other direction because they do get a bit flattened on one side (and I like to mess with the next nurse's mind!).

Check with your pediatrician. They would know the hospital and staff. Best wishes to you and your family!

Newborn was 2 days and had an NG and PIV running. Don't know what the doc was thinking.

How fast a resp rate is too fast to po feed? Recently had a doc go ballistic because the nurse "defied" the order to remove NG tube and po feed despite the infant with rr 70-100"s. Anybody have any input? Won't tell you what our director said about the situation, makes me angry just to think about it! Thanks!

I just lost 2nights shifts because of ice. Snow, rain, tornados I can handle, ice just scares me. I have a long driveway, country roads and several bridges and hills to navigate and ice makes it almost impossible to drive. My agency doesn't like for anyone to call off but they understand and so does the family. Back in January, before a big ice storm was predicted, was scheduled to work 3 hospital shift and 2 PD shifts. I opted to stay in a motel in town for those days. Had a good rate and quiet room and did not miss any work. You do what you have to do.

I was always taught to give ampicillin first then gentamicin 2 hours late to avoid incompatiability. Is this still the way it is done? Thanks for your help.

I work in a Level 2 NICU and we deliver approx 1800 babies a year. With the new Medicaid changes, we are really being pressured to improve our breastfeeding numbers, especially no supplementation, AT ALL, (despite a mother's request) only with a doctor's written order (not happening here on night shift!) and for with a medical indication. That would be great, if it were a perfect world. Some mothers want to BF during the day but "just give my baby a bottle tonight", they don't want to room-in so they can learn their baby's cues. They don't read or attend classes. They think it is "natural" so it must be easy! We've had babies with a 10% weight loss in less than 48 hrs. I know that BF is best and I will help any mother to BF. But I think something is wrong with the whole picture. (We have 1 FT lactation specialist and 1 PT, not enough to go around!). Okay, felt good to let it all out.

The funniest "oops" I've heard lately: The hospital operator announces overhead: "Would the owner of a black vulva, parked in the ER parking lot...." Repeated it 3 times loud and clear.

I worked in Florida with a Dr. Arriola, obgyn. Then there is Dr. Money, pysch. And I saw a print ad with a dentist named as Dr. Fang.

We had a nice one "We deliver miracles daily". And BTW, we get pizza delivered alot to our hospital!

My manager just spent the week at a hospital across the state, meaning her room and meals provided, to observe how they were surveyed by JACHO. Maybe I'm the crazy one, but wouldn't it be better for her to stay and manager her own unit? Of course, she has a team of underlings to do this. I understand the need for inspections and accreditation, but this place is absolutely manic waiting for THE visit. Just my one cent! (the economy is bad!)

We do glucose at 30 mins of age for SGA, LGA, IDM and any NB having needed resus. At 2 hrs for any newborns "at risk" mec fluid, jitteriness, If the 40 we do prefeeds until feeding is stable and glucose > 50 x 2. We can also can do one for any s/s of distress. Also, with the first check we do a hematocrit. asher315

That's the way I got into Nursery- two years after med-surg. Having 2 years as a working nurse gives you alot of experience in time-management, working with drs and other staff. The patients are different and challenging. The families can drive you crazy. There a very happy times and very sad ones. And you can hold and sing to your patients. :wink2: Good luck!