RNpatterson

RNpatterson has 3 years experience and specializes in Mechanical Circulatory Support.

Latest Activity

1. LVADS

   RNpatterson replied to dbell198's topic in Cardiac

   I'm a VAD coordinator at my hospital. No certification that I am aware of. Cardiac ICU background with VAD experience is quite common for coordinators. Once in the role, there are opportunities for...

2. Critical drips

   RNpatterson replied to brewtus's topic in Cardiac

   Ketamine isn't as scary as it sounds. I know our facility has a lower max dose on the floors compared to the ICU and it can really help with pain control (amio, cardizem, heparin all fair game on the...

3. Fresh Heart Training

   RNpatterson replied to NurseHotFlash's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

   I started on a smaller CVICU first and I worked on the unit as a tech while in school which helped once I became a nurse. Being overwhelmed is good when you're new - it means you're learning. At that...

4. Impella vs IABP

   RNpatterson replied to Lreiersen's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

   The IABP only offloads the heart by about 15% which is often all is needed. The impella tends to offer more assistance and the newest model has the ability to offer full cardiac assistance. Balloon...

5. LVAD programs around the country?

   RNpatterson replied to AkentRN's topic in Cardiac

   I didn't mean to offend but I did start my post by saying I can only speak to my experience at my facility... hiccups?

6. New to CVICU

   RNpatterson replied to californiarnbsn's topic in Cardiac

   Ask tons of questions! I always ask my orientees what their background is and what kind of patients they have taken so far in orientation, and what kinds of patients or skills they want to work on......

7. LVAD programs around the country?

   RNpatterson replied to AkentRN's topic in Cardiac

   Oy... VAD coordinator from step-down? All of ours have at least a decade of CVICU experience on units utilizing VADs. I can't speak for the rest of the nation or for anyone else's experience...

8. lung transplant epidural

   RNpatterson replied to cleverusername's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

   I haven't done any research on the topic but I can say our facility does them fairly quickly; we generally try to get it done before lifting sedation. It's rare, but sometimes they'll do it...

9. Staffing & Patient Acuity

   RNpatterson replied to tk0224's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

   We're pretty spoiled with our post-ops as well. We single our post-ops until extubated and dangled (mobility is HUGE in our ICU). If a pt is extubated toward the middle or end of the shift, they are...

10. Heparin Protocol questions

    RNpatterson replied to qaqueen's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    Our facility uses weight-based protocol but pharmacy uses the weight to determine a starting rate and bolus dose - that's the only time weight is factored into our use. The order set then shows the...

11. I want to leave my job - advice please!

    RNpatterson replied to RNpatterson's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    Update --- I have seen many threads and posts about RNs wanting to leave their jobs and start a new field. I look back on this post and almost can't believe I wrote it. I really enjoy my job! While I...

12. I want to leave my job - advice please!

    RNpatterson posted a topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    I was hired as a new grad into an inner-city ICU and absolutely loved my job and everyone I worked with. After a year, my husband and I had the opportunity to move out of state which I was quite happy...

13. seattle rn positions

    RNpatterson replied to RyanPie's topic in Washington Nursing

    I'm moving to Seattle next month from Michigan. I applied to UW, VM, Northwest, and Swedish - within a week I had interviews lined up with all of them, last week I flew out and was offered jobs at all...

14. Poll: I got my new grad job in...?

    RNpatterson replied to eleectrosaurus's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    Michigan - Cardiac

15. Moving to Seattle - job advice please

    RNpatterson replied to RNpatterson's topic in Washington Nursing

    Good point and that brings up another question I have. We're planning on living somewhere downtown (where I get a job will help guide where specifically)... Is public transportation a reliable...