sparkyRN

sparkyRN

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All Content by sparkyRN

  1. Jungle of Degrees !

    sparkyRN replied to skysurfer's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    It is confusing to us too! I'll try to explain...hopefully it will help. In the U.S., there are two entry levels for licensed nurses. They are separate programs. One is the LPN (or LVN--licensed...

  2. What are the reasons nurses leave the NICU?

    sparkyRN replied to onehusbandsevenkids's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Number 1 is high acuity/high census with chronic short staffing that leads to Number 2...STRESS!!! I can handle the sickest kids...my favorite patient is the term baby with multiple issues. Don't...

  3. Staph Aureus

    sparkyRN replied to CANADARN13's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Our babies are now routinely cultured on admission and once a week after that because of an ongoing issue with MRSA. We all got cultured a few months ago (not pleasant); I don't know of anyone who...

  4. Recomendations for neonatal stethoscopes

    sparkyRN replied to georgiatink's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Our unit supplies Littmans for each baby that are cleaned when the baby is dc'd. It took some getting used to, but I like

  5. NICU computer charting programs

    sparkyRN replied to SteveNNP's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Carevue, though we're supposed to be changing next year. I like Carevue-easy to use and

  6. Preemie resuscitation in regards to gestational age

    sparkyRN replied to d2k2's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    No set-in-stone protocol--usually any 23+ weeker with a HR will get intubated. It may not always be the best thing to do, but it's hard not to give them a chance, esp. if they are active, with decent...

  7. GRE scores?

    sparkyRN replied to moonshadeau's topic in Post Graduate Students

    If you have to take the GRE, it is best for you to put some study time in beforehand. I highly recommend the free tutorials on their website http://www.gre.com and also the free site...

  8. Change from MSN to DNP for NNP

    sparkyRN posted a topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I've been told the DNP (Doctorate of Nursing Practice) is on the horizon for NNP probably within the next 5 years. Our local univ. will be starting it next year and doing away with the MSN for NNP....

  9. How long did you study for the GRE?

    sparkyRN replied to christvs's topic in Post Graduate Students

    I graduated college in the 80's so it's been awhile since I've taken a standardized test. Being too cheap to spend money on study guides, I used the free guides on the GRE website. I also signed up...

  10. NICU dislikes

    sparkyRN replied to KES's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Parents who don't listen AND nurses who don't explain things clearly and consistently. Yesterday I got report on one of my babies. The nurse told me that the 16 y.o. mother was in during the day....

  11. Chilled babies in the news

    sparkyRN replied to futureTMA's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Saw something similar on Vanderbilt's site a couple of months ago. It involved using a cooling cap....very

  12. my dream; to become a nurse in the NICU, please let me kno how you got there!

    sparkyRN replied to cacori2006's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    What kind of program are you planning to attend...ADN or

  13. A little scared

    sparkyRN replied to FLstudent's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    There would be something wrong with you if you weren't just a little afraid of what you don't know. That's why your unit will have classes and clinicals and preceptorships to help you learn....

  14. What is the smallest...

    sparkyRN replied to Aneroo's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Thanks for the

  15. What is the smallest...

    sparkyRN replied to Aneroo's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Seriously? Severely IUGR? Did s/he live very long? We had one about a year ago that was 390 gm at 26-27 weeks..real stressed IUGR baby. Lots of setbacks, but she did go

  16. How Long Til' You Felt Comfortable in NICU???

    sparkyRN replied to KK7724's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I feel like it takes nurses 2 years to really feel comfortable working in NICU. The first year is all about learning and organization. The second year you become more independent as far as...

  17. Quads in our NICU

    sparkyRN replied to KK7724's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    takes all kinds to make the world go

  18. Really upset, bad shift last night

    sparkyRN replied to Gompers's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Gompers, you talk about it looking like the night shift is slacking when things don't get done on your shift then the day people come in and all of a sudden its all action.... This brings up an...

  19. flat line eegs...

    sparkyRN replied to rainbows4me's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Yes, you would to a point. The overpowering urge to be a mother to your child can not be stopped just because clinically the baby may only be alive because of an ETT and vent. But as the days go on...

  20. Caffeine

    sparkyRN replied to fergus51's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Caffeine always d/c'd at least a couple of weeks before

  21. flat line eegs...

    sparkyRN replied to rainbows4me's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Our experience with the doctors and parents is very similar. There are no rash decisions to withdraw support until all the usual tests are run and often repeated. The difficulty and frustration comes...

  22. Really upset, bad shift last night

    sparkyRN replied to Gompers's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I know exactly how you feel. We like to be in control, to have the answer for every problem that pops up. It's frustrating and maddening when we can't make things better. Don't beat yourself up. All...

  23. NICU nametags and cribcards

    sparkyRN replied to BlueYYsRN's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We do something similar. One of our charge nurses buys seasonal cut-outs from an education supply store. They are approx 5x5 inches and have a glossy surface.This summer it was suns, bugs and...

  24. Roll call: Tell us a little about you

    sparkyRN posted a topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I'd like to find out a little about some of you regular posters. Now, I'm not asking you to give up your anonymity....I treasure mine too! It would be nice though to get a feel for your level of...

  25. X-ray and CMV exposure in NICU during pregnancy?

    sparkyRN replied to CapeMaui's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Worked nights, rotated shifts, been sleep deprived...still managed to have 4 normal pregnancies over the course of 8 years. My advice to you is to keep up your precautions because it will decrease...