shonda13

Hi there everyone....I was doing a history search for info about this same topic and I was hoping I could get some more current responses. How often are you changing you IV tubings and are you doing it under sterile conditions?? Also, if you respond, would please include your NICU level and general size?? Any affiliation with VON?? Thanks in advance....I am hoping to get some usable information to take back to my unit. We seem to be having a lot of debate about 24 hour vs. 72 hour changes. (We are a 25 bed level III with no affiliation with VON.)

Just wondering from other NICUs around that have used VAP guard in their units.....now that it is no longer being made, do you have a new product or plan in mind for oral care in neonates? Thanks in advance......

this is what the website currently says. ok, it does mention the total of 660 hours which sounds right with what you said.....but with the other minimums being 100 hours, maybe there is a bit of flexibility in the other hours. i certainly don't want to short change myself by not getting a well rounded clinical education...it is a lot to learn in just 660 hours....but i hope that it might work out to slant it towards peds. i hear ya about opting out of the "specialty" hours....i am getting geared up for the work involved with going back to school and working full time (oh yeah and two kids! lol), but i am not out to make extra work for myself either. family nurse practitioner (fnp) introduction to the family nurse practitioner track this concentration provides graduates with advanced practice role preparation, knowledge and skills in the care of children and adults across all ages within a family framework. health promotion, disease prevention and management of common acute and chronic long-term health alterations in primary care settings are the foci of this concentration. minimally, 100 clinical hours must be in a pediatric setting, 100 hours in women's health (50 hours

Thanks, those are good points.....the school I am currently looking into states 100 hours of peds clinical time. Does anyone know (generally speaking of course) how much flexibility exists in clinical experiences? Could I do some time in a PICU/NICU or maybe as an elective? Although 100 hours really isn't that much. Unfortunately the above mentioned school is currently revamping their program and website so there is not much information available. I emailed the advisor but haven't heard anything yet. I imagine proving it would be tricky for sure unless I worked with a doc that would back me up with the training. As a nurse I have acutally been able to get some extra training...intubations, umbillical lines, needle aspirations/chest tubes and PICCs, so maybe if I had a doc that knew me it would be a little easier. Skills are one thing though and relatively easy to learn. I really love NICU, but I see working in an office setting as potentially a better use of my Master's degree. Why does it seem so hard to pick a direction?!? LOL Seriously I am not usually like this. It is just such a big committment to go back to school and put my family though all that and not like it or not be able to get a job. I just want to be marketable and I really want to go to a state school to save some money, so that limits my choices some. Oh well, thanks everyone for all the info. I appreciate it! I look forward to learning a lot more on the boards.

Thank you! You all have given me some great directions to explore. I can see myself working in an office setting. I have worked in a hospital since 1997 and would love to be in a smaller setting like a physician office, but as a nurse I could never afford it. At this point I am not in a position to take such a paycut just to try out an office setting. I have looked into other very flexible career moves (David I recognize you from other forums...good to see you.) but they are not possible given my current family situation. Thanks Jolie for the tip...I am going to check out my states regulations and see if I can find any info. I am not at all opposed to working with adults, it is just with so much peds in my background it seems like a good fit. Anyway....thanks again!

Hi! This is my first post but I have lurked off and on for a while now. I am looking into NP eduction options that are available in my area. I had always thought I would go the PNP route, but recently a friend that is applying for FNP school told me that it would possible to get a job in a pediatric related field with a FNP degree since it is covered in clinicals. I can see where this makes sense, but I was wondering what actually happened in the real world. I have 11 years of NICU experience and a M.S. in Family and Child Science.......Anyway, just doing some snooping and wondering if anyone else had any thoughts on the matter. TIA!!!