I'mANurse!

I'mANurse! specializes in NICU.

Latest Activity

1. TPN questions

   I'mANurse! replied to Celia M's topic in General Nursing

   I don't work with insulin much, but I do remember that there is only one type of insulin that can be given the IV route! Hope that helps :)

2. antibiotics

   I'mANurse! replied to rockabye's topic in NICU

   Amp and gent are used while awaiting blood culture results because they are broad spectrum antibiotics, meaning they cover many different types of bacteria. Once a culture comes back positive, the medication will be adjusted based upon the organism i...

3. For those that have taken the RNC or CCRN

   I'mANurse! posted a topic in NICU

   For those of you that have taken the neonatal RNC or CCRN exam, how well were you doing on practice questions? I'm about half way through the core curriculum question book and have an overall average of 82%. Is this good enough to pass the test? I re...

4. OGT or NGT for neonates?

   I'mANurse! replied to Bortaz's topic in NICU

   We use NGT most of the time. Many times OGT are initially placed during resus to vent the stomach if any PPV is given and Babies on CPAP have OGT to continuously vent the stomach. Once feeds are begun or the baby is off CPAP, we usually transition ov...

5. TPN - Peripheral vs Central

   I'mANurse! replied to EricJRN's topic in NICU

   As a general rule, my unit goes by anything D13 or less can be given via peripheral. However, not too long ago during my safety checks at the beginning of my shift, I noticed that my baby had TPN hanging via a peripheral line that was D12, but had so...

6. Some questions about gentamicin...

   I'mANurse! replied to summerlove2's topic in NICU

   Kudos to you summerlove2. I know how hard it can be try and bring about change in a unit that is so resistant to change, and especially when you are the newbie! Believe me, I've been there! But it's obvious that you care so much about your patients ...

7. Some questions about gentamicin...

   I'mANurse! replied to summerlove2's topic in NICU

   That whole retrograding sounds very dangerous, especially on such fragile patients! What if the nurse accidentally forgets to clamp the port.....the med will end up being pushed in! And having to recalculate your fluid rate while the med goes in? Sou...

8. NICU nurses - phototherapy?

   I'mANurse! replied to Isitpossible's topic in NICU

   Do you know the gestation of this baby? Many times micropreemies are under therapy, but are too unstable to be moved constantly, especially if they were just born, as their risk for developing intraventricular hemorrhage at this time is extremely hig...

9. CBC clotting

   I'mANurse! replied to NJNICUCCRN's topic in NICU

   I agree with SteveNNP, only fill the tube halfway between the first and second lines. My CBCs used to always clot when I first started working in the NICU, until a coworker shared this tip with me. They rarely clot now, unless the kid has really slud...

10. Help me save my poor hands

    I'mANurse! replied to wmg246's topic in General Nursing

    I've had the same problem with my hands cracking/bleeding/itching by the end of my work stretch from all of the hand washing. I used to put on Eucerine cream before bed (which I still do), but I just got this new lotion called "Gloves in a Bottle" an...

11. Foot Warmers

    I'mANurse! replied to Saalbunch's topic in NICU

    We use the purple ones from Children's Medical Ventures. I have a really difficult time keeping them on some of the kiddos feet, or the sticky strap falls off, so I tend to wrap one around the foot then wrap the entire foot in a diaper to keep it on.

12. Why is the central line preferred over a peripheral IV for TPN?

    I'mANurse! replied to pharho's topic in Student Assist

    Caroladybelle gave an excellent answer to your question, but I just wanted to point out that in your original post you were thinking that it may be because of a "less chance of systemic infection". Central lines actually have a GREATER chance for sy...

13. what is the best nursing journal to subscribe to as a student nurse?

    I'mANurse! replied to slb241's topic in General Students

    Before you spend money for a journal subscription, check out the online resources from your school's library. Through my school's library website, I had direct access to tons of nursing/medical journals with full text!

14. night shift

    I'mANurse! replied to jazzyrn1's topic in New Nurse

    I work nights, 3 on, 1 night off, 3 on, 7 off. The night before my first night on, I will go to bed at my normal time, get a good nights sleep, and try to sleep in as long as I can. Which for me is only until about 9am. Then I lounge around for a few...

15. Starting Clinical Preceptorship in NICU Sept 3...

    I'mANurse! replied to Bortaz's topic in NICU

    Congratulations on getting a preceptorship in the NICU. You'll love it! Check with your preceptor or instructor before using your stethoscope. The NICU I work in has a designated stethoscope at each baby's bedside and nurses and docs are not allowed...