robydoby

I got one better, I went from ICU to a home based Hospice job. I had to get away and the hours/pay was better. I stayed there for 1 year, regrouped, realized why I loved ICU and went back. Sometimes you just have to do something different to "rest" and then head back where you started. Or you may get to telemetry and love it. Telemetry is different, but it is a challenge. With less time to take care of more patients, it is a challenge. Good luck to you!

In my hospital the charge nurse gets about 1$ and hour. We have the 19 bed ICU where I work, plus we respond to all Codes, Rapids in the 1000 bed facility. does that seem worth it???

working nights for about 14 years. LOVE IT. worked days for 1 year. HATE IT. what area is everyone in? Dont you love coming to work and not having the politics of all those "clipboard toting" admins?

I have been a nurse for 15 years, I have worked in 5 hospitals. All of them require a written DNR order on the chart upon admission even with living will or home DNR papers. Why? Because the hospitals have been sued many times by family members who decide that mama shouldnt be a DNR. Now that Mama cant speak for herself, the kids decide to speak for her. So why even bother? Thats why everyone needs a Healthcare Power of Attorney. This person can make all your decisions for you without interference from anyone else even your children/spouse. I am 35, my daughter is 17. She already knows what i do and do not want regarding end of life. She will make the decisions. Moral of the story- find you a POA, tell them what you want. POA papers are more binding than DNR papers.

I work in a 17 bed ICU. We are currently battling Central line, Foley and Vap infections. We are trying to come up with some ways to prevent and track these infections. Even if the line/foley is put in in another dept, We take the blame if the patient is in our unit. Anybody who knows good ways to prevent and track, I would love some help. Thanks to all.

I work in a very busy 12 bed icu/ 7 bed pcu unit. The 7 bed pcu unit has always at least 1 withdrawal pt. Usually more. We also occasionally have 1 withdrawal pt in the Icu on the vent. We have a protocol for wd pt's which includes mvi, thiamine, folate every day. It also includes either a ativan taper or a librium taper. The doctor of course chooses which one he wants. We screen all of our pt's on admission, and if they state that they drink alcohol then we must fill out a withdrawal protocol screen. this is done every 8 hours until the pt scores a 0 for 24 hours. I have worked in several other hospitals and find that this protocol is the most usefull. screen pt's on admission and following up is the key to preventing withdrawal before it gets too late. Good luck on you project.

I work in a busy ICU... I answer call lights as well as respond to any other noises I hear. I have worked with staff who will not answer, and have heard them say "oh, that's not my patient". drives me nuts. I always respond "they are all my patients".

We also have that at the facility where i work. we are a 300+ hospital in NC. We have a "Rapid Response Team", made up of ICU charge nurse, resp therapist. We have standing orders for lots of things. Yes, it is wonderful and very helpful in saving lives.

no i havent, but i will. thanks.

i was a travel nurse for 3 years. i needed a break from my current job (10 years). it was a wonderful experience for me. there are many good sides, new experiences, new friends, freedom from "politics" at the job. there is also some bad sides, being the new guy all the time, not "belonging" with staff, no sense of ownership. i am currently a hospital employee at the last travel assignment i took. I stayed because of my fellow staff members and the hospital. be glad to talk more if you want.

what a touching story. I have seen this some many many times in my career. It is so difficult for us sometimes to watch as family members struggle with their goodbyes (however long they may take). I luckily work with some wonderful doctors now who are patient advocates. They are always quick to approach those subjects with families/patients. They are also willing to talk and LISTEN to what they have to say. There are still times though when what WE want for our patients is not what they get. I think we see things that others never see, and have a very different perspective on life and death. I used to think that death was the worst thing that could ever happen to you, but have seen that the prolonging of death is sometimes much worse. wonderfully written. thanks.