DGNurse10

We use soap and water on all of our patients as long as they are stable enough, baby wipes on those who are not. We are supposed to be starting using a Chlorahexadine cream as well. Our unit has not had a line infection in almost a year, so we're not really sure why they are adding the chlorahexadine when what we're doing is working, but supposedly it's evidence based practice.....

This story gave me chills....and was exactly what I needed to make me go back to work tonight after a sad night last night! Thank you for sharing!

I too have been working in the PICU on my own for about 6 months, and can't say how much I enjoy it! It was (and is) definitely scary some days (most days) but overall I love taking care of the sick kids and their families....and especially seeing them get better. I think the best advice someone gave me when I started, was that whenever a patient codes, crashes, gets intubated or a sick admission comes in to volunteer and do the documentation--that way you can watch what everyone does and know what to expect in that situation. It was definitely helpful the first time my patient crashed while on my own and I knew what to expect---and then didn't feel bad asking other people to help since I realized EVERYONE needs lots of help when things go bad.

To the best of my knowledge they do hire ADNs (at least in my Unit, they hired two last summer, although they had both previously teched at UK) I would definitely call the recruiter, they are very nice when you are finally able to get in touch with someone. Good luck!

Keep trying at UK....last spring they told me they weren't hiring any new grads to the Children's Hospital that year, and three months later called me for an interview....they hired 7 new grads to my unit of the children's hospital alone, and that's not counting to the other units and the adult floor. Try getting in touch with the nurse recruiters, I know other people who wanted to work with adults who were able to get hired when they said they'd be willing to work at Good Samaratian instead of Chandler, but still work for UK are an eligible for internal transfer in 1 year.

Working in the PICU, we pull a lot of foley's on kids who continue to get Lasix and lots of fluids. On two different occasions, I have followed the same nurse who has pulled the foley on older children (age 8 and 10) and placed diapers on them. In both instance, the parents and child have made comments about how happy they are that I let their child out of bed to use the commode, rather than "making them" pee in the diaper--in one instance the mom went and bought her daughter a treat in order to BRIBE her into going in the diaper. Maybe it's because I am still new and live in an idealistic world, but it really bothers me that this nurse wouldn't take the 5 minutes to get the child out of bed--or even on a bed pan, and would instead insist the child pee in the diaper. One time, the child actually stood next to the bed to pee in the diaper, rather than just on a commode! How would you handle this situation? As I said, I'm knew and have only worked in the unit 6 months, and this is a nurse who has worked there for a long time and has a good reputation and is known to be a very good nurse--and also doesn't take criticism well. I'd appreciate any input!

I almost passed out in my Pediatric Clinicals after giving a shot--would had my instructor not realized it and made me sit on the floor with a cold wash cloth on my face. That didn't stop me from being a Pediatric ICU nurse and giving shots/drawing blood/starting IVs on kids regularly now with no problem. Don't give up!

Thank you everyone for your advice. I decided to do the last 2 weeks of my orientation, because I ended up taking a lot of sick 1 to 1 patients in the weeks in between---which was definitely a good experience, but not the typical 2 to 1 assignment I will have when I'm off orientation. So I'll spend my last 2 weeks getting used to a 2 to 1 assignment :) And yes, my Preceptor was definitely kidding when she told me that she wanted me to stay on so she doesn't have to work--she is the go to resource person for pretty much everyone on the unit because of her amount of experience, and has made it perfectly clear that even when I'm off orientation I should never hesitate to ask her for help or an opinion. Thanks again for your input!

I am a new grad who's new to allnurses.com (I've often read things on here, but never posted anything until now!) I need the opinion of some experienced PICU nurses right now and am hoping you can help me out! I started working in a PICU in July, in (what I thought) was a 10 week orientation program--meaning I have 3 weeks left. I found out yesterday that it's actually a 12 week orientation, although my manager told me that since I'm doing so well I can come off after the 10 weeks if I want. Some days are better than others with my comfort on the floor, but I generally take full responsibility for a 2:1 assignment, with only the occasional question for my preceptor. Part of me feels like I'm ready to be on my own--and making my own schedule and finally getting differential pay, but at the same time I feel like ending my orientation early will be cheating myself out of 2 weeks of learning that could be really valuable. I have two preceptors, the one told me that she thinks I can end it early if I want, but that she wants me to stay on orientation so she can keep having less work to do. The other told me all I really needed before I was ready to leave orientation was a really sick admission, and then later that night I'd admitted a kid who coded within 10 minutes of coming in the unit. I met again with my manager and preceptor in 2 weeks to decide if I will do the full 12 weeks or end my orientation early, and I just can't decide which will be better for me (and my patients) long term. I know ya'll have great advice on here, so I'm hoping you can help me out! Thanks in advance!