dseem13

dseem13

NICU, previously Mother baby

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About dseem13

dseem13 specializes in NICU, previously Mother baby.


Latest Activity

  1. Bar Code Medication Administration NICU Style

    We put 2 ID bands on every baby using poseys. The first goes over the pulsox to keep it in place on their hand/foot, and the second goes on the small ecg lead box (no need to unwrap the baby this way).
  2. Tips on Drawing from Arterial Line

    Sorry I am no help either! We use a closed system (not sure on the brand) whether it's a UAC or PAL. You can draw back on a PAL you just have to be a little more careful the artery doesn't spasm. You draw back 2-3ml, and then we have this like plasti...
  3. Charge and Resus --How does your facility do it?

    I work in a Level III 42 bed NICU (14 being intermediate beds). Most nurses are vent trained and trained for deliveries. The nurses that are on admits attend the deliveries with at the very least a NP and RT. If it's a known preterm delivery the MD w...
  4. Question on dopamine infusion

    We change all our syringes/bags q24 (or more often if needed). We change most of our tubing q24 as as well with the exception of fluids that do not contain amino acids, lipids, electrolytes etc. So basically unless it's D10, D20, or art line fluid th...
  5. Floating from postpartum

    When I worked in Mother baby we floated to L&D to be baby nurse and/or take care of moms in recovery (pretty much the same job as you would do on a mother baby floor just a little sooner after delivery). We also floated to the gyn floor (taking b...
  6. Why we don't hate nursing?

    I love nursing. Yes, sometimes staffing isn't great, then there is unit politics, ridiculous amount of charting, etc, but all in all I really enjoy my job. Helping families get through hard times and good times, and once in a while having time to do ...
  7. Smokers need not apply?

    Agreed. Our hospital is a non smoking campus, but we still hire employees that smoke. I understand and support employers for not hiring smokers. It costs them more money in health insurance and can affect your coworkers and patients. It stinks, and f...
  8. Thank you note?

    Ditto to what everyone else has said. It's proper etiquette to send thank you notes to those who interviewed you. Hope you get the job!
  9. Did anyone enter a nursing school with a BS?

    I had a BS in biology & psychology. I thought I wanted to go to med school, but after job shadowing realized nurses spend much more time with patients in the hospital setting. I didn't decide what I wanted to do until end of Nov-beginning of Dec ...
  10. 8 weeks for orientation

    Do you know if you are vent training? If you are just going to take care of intermediates for a while, I think 8 weeks would be plenty of orientation. If you're vent training, then I would ask for 4ish more weeks.
  11. When did you figure out your specialty?

    My first job was in Mother Baby which at the time was exactly what I wanted. I realized if I did want to go back to school for my NP degree, I'd want to work somewhere more challenging for me. I transferred to the NICU, and I love it!
  12. Is your Facility 'forcing' you to get the Flu Vaccine?

    At the hospital I work at the policy is similar to those above. If we don't get the flu vaccine then we need a documented medical/or other reason for it and you must wear a mask when in patient care areas. I guess I don't understand why we wouldn't...
  13. How long did it take to find your niche?

    My first job was in mother baby, which at the time was exactly the job I wanted. I truly enjoyed my job and my co-workers (worked there 3 years). The last 4-6 months I just felt there were some days that I was just going through the motions. I sti...
  14. Orientation

    In our NICU you orient for approximately 12 weeks of intermediate care with a preceptor. You work 6mos-1yr before you are then oriented to CPAP, vents, going to deliveries, etc. I think it's great to get comfortable with the less sick babies before...
  15. What kind of experience did you have?

    I worked mother baby for 3 years before I was hired in the NICU. The NICU wasn't even on my radar until I floated there frequently when they were short staffed and found out I loved it!