helicoptergal

helicoptergal BSN, RN

NICU, ER

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All Content by helicoptergal

  1. My Excelsior College "shortcut" to nursing school, lead me to work as a Transport NICU RN in a regional level 3 NICU at a Magnet Childrens Hospital in California...
  2. It really upsets me when people who obviously do not know anything about EC blast it. My adventure in getting my degree from EC was the hardest and one of the most rewarding tasks I accomplished. I managed my classes with 2 small children and 2 jobs ...
  3. Hilarious maternity nursing sayings/pics

    Oh my GOD I love this!!! And god bless you post partum nurses
  4. Medication 20% Rule.

    The point is that is our policy, and what our hospital deems as safe administration of narcotics and sedation. Yes time consuming, however it gets fast with addition into your daily practice.
  5. Medication 20% Rule.

    Hi we use the 20% rule in the NICU. We only use it on administration of any narcotic or sedation medication. We draw up 20% of the total amount of the medication and do our medication drug calculations based on this to get the most accurate safe medi...
  6. NG/OG collection device

    We use the delee suction traps when on low continuous or continuous sxn, and a syringe with a 2x2 or some other dressing to entrap the contents at the top of the syringe.
  7. Nursing wife..cop husband..does it work?

    Nursing wife Paramedic husband 2 kids somewhat stressfull, but wouldn't change anything.
  8. Lisa Arends study guides

    I bought Lisa's study guides. I found them informative and helpful. But I also used a lot of other methods to prepare for the EC exam's. I think it is really important to evaluate your experience level and preparedness for each exam individually. If ...
  9. Changing out isolettes

    Every 2 weeks. We have a form that is in our charting that we fill out everyday as part of safety checks where that info is placed. :-)
  10. Community College? You must be stupid.

    Nursing has gotten to lost in the BSN vs. ASN debate. A quality nurse, with good assessment and critical thinking skills, is a team player, and provides compassionate patient care is priceless. I am an ASN RN and plan to go back to get my BSN when I ...
  11. Anyone using PALS inthe NICU?

    We do not use PALS in our unit, and the concepts between NRP and PALS are similar. I remain certified in PALS and ACLS.
  12. I took a report call once from EMS that made me just turn around, hang up, and have to go sit down. This old lady called 911 once on a busy Friday night because her cat peed on her leg. She just wanted to get checked out... TTTTTTT Triage...... :-...
  13. Indomethacin as IVH Prophylaxis???

    We also use Indocin as a IVH prophylaxis. In my own experience the 2 patients I have been involved with receiving it both had isolated ileal perforation, both had a pen rose drain inserted and antibiotics, but did well. And did not have IVH.
  14. VFib Arrest after heaven discussion

    S.pecial H.igh I.ntensity T.raining LOVE IT. A NEW ACRONYM.
  15. methadone effects on newborns

    Thank god for you and fellow PHN like you. I often worry about these babies. Nice to know someone is fighting for them.
  16. Morphine dose in vial?

    I work in the NICU and our vials are 2mg in 1ml so we always waste the majority of the vial, but we always have a witness to our waste.
  17. NICU Swings Policies

    We use swings for our chronic babies. Most of our swings are used and are donated by the staff. We always put a blanket or towel as a barrier between the pt and the padding. There has been been some comments made by our OT staff about speed regulatio...
  18. Rehab Nursing advice please...not a real nurse?

    Rehab nurses rock!!! I floated to rehab the other day, and I tell you it may as well been the ICU. I had vents/trach's/central lines, a million meds. Definitely real nursing!!!
  19. ( I am replying from Calif) Jobs are hard to come by, however not impossible. I currently work in a Magnet Children's Hospital where I was hired as a new grad. I am thinking about pursuing my BSN, but I do not feel any less employable without one. Pe...
  20. Digital/computerized charting...

    We are switching to a new system in July. I have worked with EPIC and was not pleased. With our new system we are encouraged to not right WNL as it is to ambiguous and cannot be specialized to fit pts with special needs. I live in the pediatric world...
  21. Does anyone really like their job?

    Yep I do. Realized that although it is not always perfect as rarely things are. A little person smiling at you for no good reason, is reason enough to love my job!!
  22. What size scrub pants do you wear and what size jeans?

    10-12 in pants, but a med in the waist for scrubs but a large in the length. I like the Cherokee scrub pants, they have a soft cotton waist band instead of the draw string which is nicer because when I wear the large pants the pants are always fallin...
  23. What paraphernalias a nurse must always have?

    Hair clip, a pen and a stethoscope, and a set of gloves.
  24. If you love your job, what is your speciality?

    NICU
  25. Low Census - Is it Happening to You

    Our NICU census is low. And we attribute it to many things. But interestingly enough a lot is attributed to the farm labor force having to go elsewhere for jobs, and the whole family goes.