sparkyRN

sparkyRN

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All Content by sparkyRN

  1. What happens in your NICU when you are short staffed?

    sparkyRN posted a topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Our unit has been chronically short staffed forever. However, lately the situation has gotten really,really bad. Last week the RN's had assignments ranging from 4 ICU babies each plus admissions to 8...

  2. Has anyone attended the University of Wyoming?

    sparkyRN replied to DutchgirlRN's topic in General Nursing

    I am finishing my second semester in the UWYO MSN nurse educator option. I can't speak to the undergrad experience since I got by BSN the traditional way from the Univ. of TN many, many moons ago. But...

  3. Any ideas for MSN/Education online programs?

    sparkyRN replied to dansmom6's topic in Post Graduate Students

    I just finished my first class online with UWyo. I'm in the MSN Nurse Educator option which is all online. It is definitely grad level classes which means a lot of reading and analysis on your own...

  4. What are your nurse:pt ratios?

    sparkyRN replied to NICU_Nurse's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    There's ideal and then there's reality. Ours is a level 3 referral, 80 bed unit-usually 20 ICU, 40-50 level 2/special care babies. We often carry 3:1 and even occas. 4:1 in ICU, and 5-7:1 in level 2....

  5. HELP - need vent advice

    sparkyRN replied to 33-weeker's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    The March of Dimes has some great resource material that may be what you need.

  6. A Celebration for Gompers

    sparkyRN replied to Jolie's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Best of luck to you and your

  7. Pregnant and terrified NICU nurse here...

    sparkyRN replied to Gompers's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    So late in sending you my congratulations...my apologies. Glad to hear the 2nd trimester is looking up! I hope you'll be able to enjoy the rest of your pregnancy. Well, I don't think any of us really...

  8. Palm PDA or Pocket PC

    sparkyRN replied to rncarolyn's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I'd suggest you save your money right now. It's just one more thing to keep up with. Nearly all the info you will need will be on your unit. It may take a little more time to look drugs and lab...

  9. Question...

    sparkyRN replied to trishka's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    You might want to consider the pediatric route. Most children's hospitals, in addition to having a NICU also have a Special Care Unit that is designed for babies past the NICU stage...usually under 1...

  10. NICU Vanderbilt...

    sparkyRN replied to Diana Lynn's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Have you toured Carrell Children's Hospital at Vandy? I drove up for a one day nursing seminar and the best part of the day was touring the NICU. It was totally state-of-the-art and much different...

  11. What type of patient

    sparkyRN replied to Tiny1Nisolet's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I like most anything ICUish. My favorite is the term PPHN with all the gizmos--NO, oscillator, drips, multiple lines. (Can do without the chest tubes, though.) They are such a great challenge and...

  12. Staying alive in the NICU

    sparkyRN replied to kitty29's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Our situation is a lot like Gompers. I don't mind doing my time in step-down--sometimes the change of pace is nice, and you have to give the newbies some ICU experience so they can work on their...

  13. jewelry in the NICU

    sparkyRN replied to minniemiteRN's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We are allowed bands, but no watches. I try not to wear the band either because I find all the handwashing to be so irritating and it becomes increasingly so with jewelry on....probably due to the...

  14. Pneumograms

    sparkyRN replied to fergus51's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Tell me what it is...maybe we are doing them, but calling them something

  15. Starting PICC lines, getting discouraged

    sparkyRN replied to sparkyRN's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Thanks for the encouragement and Happy New Year!

  16. Starting PICC lines, getting discouraged

    sparkyRN posted a topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I was recently placed on the PICC line team and had my bedside training--see one, do one! Actually, the nurses who are skilled at PICC insertion have been very helpful and are willing to assist me as...

  17. Need Advice For Transfer To Nicu

    sparkyRN replied to livtek's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I agree with Gompers. Besides the learning curve, the chances are better than good that you will be spending a lot of hours on your feet. There's alot of moving to be done in a NICU not to mention...

  18. Starting PICC lines, getting discouraged

    sparkyRN replied to sparkyRN's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Where in the scalp did you stick? I know some nurses like to stick the jugulars, but there is no way I'm going

  19. Starting PICC lines, getting discouraged

    sparkyRN replied to sparkyRN's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We do 2 successfully with a trained nurse then we are on our own. We use the Bard 24G catheter. I work exclusively NICU so, no adults. I am not familiar with 'Modified Seldinger,' and no usg. My 2...

  20. Knocking on isolette

    sparkyRN replied to Super RT's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Totally agree with rainbows. While it's not the preferred or best form of stimulation, if your hands are dirty a thump on the isolette will create a startle relfex and a deep inspiration. If my...

  21. Stress Scale

    sparkyRN replied to KES's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    7-8 average though there have been plenty of 10s lately! The stress is either due to high acuity or high census. We actually went on diversion last week for the first time ever because we were...

  22. how long have you been...

    sparkyRN replied to Tiny1Nisolet's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    20 1/2

  23. Flushing lines.

    sparkyRN replied to dawngloves's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Yikes!

  24. what happens if...

    sparkyRN replied to girlfromtx's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Any good hospital with an established training and preceptor program would probably be happy to have an experienced licensed nurse regardless of his or her background. If you're willing to stick it...

  25. Flushing lines.

    sparkyRN replied to dawngloves's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    0.6cc 1/4ns flushes before and after every