CVmursenary

In addition to infusing in the distal port; it is also unsafe to have a PA without transducing it as it could be wedged. Sounds like it should have been pulled.

Recovering open hearts is really fun because the patients usually do really well and are up in about in less than 24 hours. There is generally protocol for extubation and you will learn to know which patients will be easily extubated. Open hearts are rewarding because the patients are often grateful for keeping their pain down and also that they improve so rapidly after surgery. You will do well in this unit if you anticipate patient needs and have an eye for noticing minor trends. Extubate and mobilize your patients quickly as long as they are stable and the doctors will like you.

Staff Nurse jobs in parts of California pay the most. 50 60 70 an hour is not uncommon. I got a per diem at kaiser at $60 an hour with 2 years experience.

Same thing at my place; its really a shame because those medications don't just affect 1 parameter so it really worsens patient care.

they can eat whatever they want; I will tell them the side effects of the food that they want to eat but I personally do not care if they choose to follow my advice or not.

If you want a reference; get the Manual of Perioperative care of Adult Cardiac Surgery; it is very in depth and should able to educate you on all things cardiac surgery.

Where i work, anesthesia does not even advance the PAC into a wedged position on insertion. Also you'd have to be pretty inattentive to not notice an accidental wedge; it looks nothing like a proper PA waveform.

treat them like any patient; assess them and givem their meds and shut the door; call it a night

We get patients into the chair with a swan.

Biggest time management tip from me is to Bathe the patient at the beginning of shift; this is really the best way to assess them anyways so just knock it all out at the beginning

No; without invasive monitoring, you will not be titrating medication. Its probably a unit for stable vents.

I pull these too; just ask them to inhale, pull with vasaline dressing and hold pressure for a minute or 2 and place pressure tape.

"Rapid Interpretation of EKG's" teaches the physiology of an EKG; much better way to learn than memorizing strips

Just because its kinked doesnt mean it caused a pneumothorax; if it was bleeding or draining sanguinous fluid quickly then that is possible. Did much drainage come out after it was straightened out?

I am a pretty new nurse working in ICU but i am able to pick up shifts in the ER. I dont think my facility would allow new ER nurses to work in the ICU. Working in ICU allows you to get comfortable with sick patients the fastest.

yea you should be able to at least interview with your experience. Maybe the job was already given to somebody but posted online. I know places have to post jobs to the public even if they already have selected someone.

That is horrible. How could you work for that. I'm a new grad and i make alot more than that.

Do not turn them; you could puncture their heart with the ribs.

I too work in cardiothoracic icu and am interested in Cath Lab. You should take the opportunity to go cath lab. Dont know if you have noticed but cath lab nurses get paid very well. You will likely be expected to take alot of call though but I personally enjoy the thrill of coming in for a STEMI. Good luck

Manager not being there is nightshift friendly

There is always something that goes unplanned during a shift and some nurses act like it never happens to them and will give you attitude during report. Do you best to ignore it and just smile.

If you land a job in SF you'll be making twice what you'd be making in Saudi Arabia; and you wont be treated like a second class citizen either.

I got 8 weeks in cticu as a new grad. You will likely not be taking fresh hearts after 8 weeks; more training will follow.

yes; every nurse is a jackass, very normal.

I have worked at an adventist hospital and it is much like any other. You are only expected to comply with the professional/social standards of the religion while on duty which are basically just common courtesy and kindness. There is also a prayer given before you go out on the floor.