RNpatterson

RNpatterson

Mechanical Circulatory Support

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All Content by RNpatterson

  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 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...

  12. 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...

  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. Moving to Seattle - job advice please

    RNpatterson posted a topic in Washington Nursing

    My husband and I are moving to Seattle at the end of October. I have just under a year of experience in Cardiac ICU so far I have applied to a number of ICU/ED jobs at Swedish, Virginia Mason, and...

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

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

    Michigan - Cardiac

  16. 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...

  17. Moving to Seattle - job advice please

    RNpatterson replied to RNpatterson's topic in Washington Nursing

    Thanks! I applied to a couple positions at Harborview and UW. We'll see... I have had call-backs on other jobs I applied for and still need to interview with the managers. Looking promising so far!...

  18. Nurse wants to volunteer oversea.

    RNpatterson replied to Candyn's topic in General Nursing

    Candyn - $500 isn't too bad when you consider they cover the flight from Miami to Haiti and back, plus room and board while you are there (and you can choose how long you stay), and you get a...

  19. K+/Mag replacement protocol

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

    We have standing replacement protocol orders on nearly every one of our patients. Like most posts, we do not replace HD patients but do check levels every AM. However, we also do CRRT on my unit and...

  20. Nurse wants to volunteer oversea.

    RNpatterson replied to Candyn's topic in General Nursing

    I volunteer in Haiti through "Project Medishare." Great organization, life-changing experience. Check out their site for

  21. How do you fit it all in?

    RNpatterson posted a topic in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist

    I'm curious as to how everyone manages to fit family life and responsibilities into your SRNA life? I know where there is a will, there is a way... how do you learn to

  22. Going from cardiac step-down to CVICU

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

    As a new nurse nearing the end of orientation, I can speak from experience (for the first time in my nursing career) when I say "don't stress." You will learn everything you need to know (the basics...

  23. At long last... I'm in the club!

    RNpatterson posted a topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    With some luck, a LOT of hard work and countless sacrifices, I am among the fortunate few who snagged their dream job right out of nursing school. Tomorrow I will don my patch-free scrubs,...

  24. At long last... I'm in the club!

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

    benm93 - It was lots of hard work and some good old fashioned luck. I was in nursing school when I heard from a friend about a manager on a cardiac stepdown unit seeking out nursing students for techs...

  25. Would You Go To Haiti To Help?????

    RNpatterson replied to Misslady113's topic in General Nursing

    Project Medishare is a great organization and I highly recommend the experience for any nurse. They also have another large focus on prosthetics and physical therapy working with the Haitians who lost...