NicuRN73

So glad I followed my instincts! Just found this "wonderful" letter (note the sarcasm). Seemed a little bit too good to be true. I am too from a small town in Florida. Wonder if all the "Top nurses" come from small town cause they think they can pull the wool over our eyes.

Sorry, my dog pushed enter before I was finished. I passed. I am one that I would start studying then stop. So I paid and registered for the test and started studying. I will not lie, it was a little difficult. Some of the questions, I do not remember seeing in the core curriculum book. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Kathy

I studied for approx 2 months with the core curriculum book. Still asked questions using rule of sixes for inotrope drips.. I just took it in Jan of this year.

Here in Tallahassee, Florida we are busy. Short staffed, more staff hired. We spent over a year extremely slow, at times 6-8 babies total. We are a 32 bed Level 3. So we are GLAD to be busy. No more mandatory call offs. Kathy

Good Luck and many good vibes coming your way.. I took my NICU certification yesterday. Passed.. I am sure that you will do the same.. Party afterwards

In the middle of report of a baby in an oxygen hood, Off going nurse stated that they baby was crying all night long so she taped the pacifier to the baby's mouth.. I was like "what????!!!!" She stated it again.. I was floored. In a state of disbelief that she stated it twice. I was like "Hold please" and in the middle of report, I removed the tape. Four side tape job on the pacifier to mouth!. I explain to the foreign nurse that this isn't allowed here in the states, that it is a risk for aspiration (esp since this baby had projectile vomiting episodes). She then told me I could do what I wanted on my shift, and that she would do what she wanted for her shift. I reported her to my charge nurse. I was treated like cowdung for the rest of the assignment ( since I was a traveler at the time and she was staff) But I didn't care. My babies come first!!! Kathy

I personally :redbeathe the twelve hours shifts. Less time in general at the hospital. I have more time with my family a week. When I started as a nurse I was working 5 8 hr shifts a week, plus pulling 2-3 8 hr shifts of on-call a month. We Begged Admin to let us go to 12 hour shifts. Much happier work staff now . I have been a nurse now almost 11 yrs. I have done a varied 8-12-16 hr shift on days/ evenings/ nights. I seem to feel rushed in my job with 8 hour shifts. With my 12 hours, I can give my babies time to recover from procedures before the next one has to start IE Weights/linen changes, assessments,labs, X-rays ect.. This is just my , but if the hospital decided to go back to 8's, I would have to find another job . Kathy

I thought that co-bedding has been slowly phased out due to the risk of sids. Most NICU that I have worked at have stopped this practice. We consul the parents on the risks of Co-bedding based on the recommendation of the AAP.

Was just wondering how widespread low census is in the NICU. Here in Tallahassee, Fl, we have been slow for the last year, and really slow the last 6 months. Upper management has figured out that we have called off 6,000 hours in the last 6 months with no end in sight. Is this just a regional thing, or is it an ecomomy thing? We have noticed that we aren't getting the micros like we used to.. 34-35 wks is now what we are seeing. How's your unit? Kathy

lucky you for those of you that are getting to work.. My unit (neonatal ICU) has been slow the past year, with the last 6 months the worst... The hospital is trying to find creative ways to keep us on staff, but for how long I dont' know.. We are calling off at least 2-3 nurse's a shift....

My unit is in the same boat. We are starting the NDNQI pressure sore audits next week. In the training, It stated that the Neonatal Skin Risk Assessment score could be used for looking to see if infants are at risk. It works like the PIPP pain score/apgar scoring. It looks at gestational age, type of bedding equipment ie, Radiant Warmer, Double walled isolette, crib, Nutrition and several other things. I would like to know what other units are doing to assess skin risk assessments and what tool they are using. How hard was it to implement to staff? Feedback from staff after starting tool? Kathy

Amen to that sister.. I have been saying that for years... Gotta love the "customer Service" angle of these hospitals. We as staff will always be in the wrong. I have worked at some hospitals that even had staff on other floors BAKING chocolate chip cookies on the floor to give it a home feel. I am a nurse, I save lives. Not baking cookies at midnight so that the pts will feel more at home.

OK everyone, This is a name I have NEVER heard of and hope to never see on a baby again. Had our unit howling with laughter. K.I.D. pronounced Kay eye Dee. Poor baby is a little girl. Why didnt the sister in law say something..... She is a L&D nurse...

same message sent twice.

I have only heard of one unit that does this, and I think that its Alta Bates in Ca. My main concern is to MY right to privacy. I should not have to have my image shown on the World wide web doing my job, just so people can look in on the infant. What about HIPPA. What and how is the hospital going to guard against hackers and such invading the website. Besides, I agree with SteveRn21. The parents should be the first ones to find out important stuff. Not who was on the net first. This is an intensive care unit, NOT a daycare or hotel. Most have isolette covers on until a certain gestational age and would not be able to see infant, just the bed. What about kids on jets/HFOV that do not need the stimulation of the cameras/isolette uncovered? Are they going to put cameras into isolettes? What about the noise from camera and infection control? These are just my opinions, but they cover some of the ideas that parents don't think about when they ask for things like this. I know it has to be very hard not to be able to visit as much as you want, but with webcast, the baby is still not bonding with the family. Ok, I will try to get off my soapbox now Kathy