Biffbradford

Biffbradford

ICU

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All Content by Biffbradford

  1. Your first experience with a dead person

    Biffbradford replied to ixchel's topic in General Nursing

    I suppose this is an inappropriate place for a joke? (we're all nurses here, right?) As many jokes are, it's probably based on a real life experience of someone. Major hospital, somewhere USA, two...

  2. Do you attend patient funerals?

    Biffbradford replied to ~PedsRN~'s topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Guess I'll be the bad guy again. No. No matter how much I worked with them during their illness, it is still a JOB. Unless I knew them outside of healthcare before hand,

  3. ECMO Ethics

    Biffbradford replied to Kettek53's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    MVAs? Nope. Never. THey go to a different hospital entirely. Fungal Pneumonia? Only if they caught it after open heart surgery, and OUR surgeons would never let THAT happen! If they aren't there for...

  4. The beauty of nursing : midweek camping, hiking, boating, skiing, no crowds!

    Biffbradford replied to Emergent's topic in General Nursing

    12 hour shifts are tolerable, it's the 2 hours a day sitting in the car that will push you over the edge. However, you have to be honest with yourself. When I was 32 years old I was racing my bicycle...

  5. Open up....Spoonfed report

    Biffbradford replied to ICURN3020's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    I've given 5 minute reports on ICU patients who were intubated, 2 stacks of pumps, balloon pump, yada yada yada .... and I've given 40 minute reports on walkie talkies who have been there 2 months. If...

  6. ECMO Ethics

    Biffbradford replied to Kettek53's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    You would never see these patients in a CVICU. There are miracle stories about ECMO all over Youtube, but even if you had one of them while on ECMO, you'd never know how they did in the long run....

  7. Need Advice

    Biffbradford replied to jps1987's topic in Student Nurse Practitioner

    Depends on your final destination I guess. If you work internal medicine or family practice, I don't see much value in ICU

  8. New grad starting in CVICU soon! Any pointers?

    Biffbradford replied to JessRNBSN's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    Congratulations. Agree with all of the above. In addition, give yourself 15 minutes a day to wind down after work. Clear your head and relax. CVICU can chew your up and spit you out in a heart beat if...

  9. The beauty of nursing : midweek camping, hiking, boating, skiing, no crowds!

    Biffbradford replied to Emergent's topic in General Nursing

    Youth has it's advantages. Try 12 hour night shifts with an hour's drive each way when you're on the far side of 50. It's not all cake and ice cream

  10. How do I know if I will enjoy Critcal care

    Biffbradford replied to LeanneNis's topic in Critical Care

    Well, you'll need to know your ECGs, lab norms, and drugs inside and out. You'll need to be able to keep calm when everything is going down the toilet and the family is freaking out, or the patient...

  11. Full Moon Friday the 13th

    Biffbradford posted a topic in General Nursing

    My condolences to those who have to work this Friday night. I never used to believe in such nonsense, until I worked night shift for many years. Be sure to post your stories here too!

  12. Where is the 'shortage'?

    Biffbradford replied to blujazz25's topic in General Nursing

    BINGO

  13. Mandatory Overtime

    Biffbradford replied to newRN_2014's topic in General Nursing

    I was only mandated once in 12 years. It was from nights to days, however, and it was

  14. Air vs. Oxygen for breathing trt

    Biffbradford replied to bnurse1988's topic in General Nursing

    If you're giving the treatment PRN because the patient isn't able to hold their sats, or is complaining of trouble breathing, then wouldn't you give it with

  15. CVP & PEEP Relationship - help!

    Biffbradford replied to Fluidified's topic in Critical Care

    That PEEP can also decrease the venous return to the heart and drop your blood pressure. Ergo: BP in the toilet? Turn off

  16. Causes of sudden diaphoresis

    Biffbradford replied to bruto's topic in MICU, SICU

    Was his breathing more labored than before? on O2? SPO2? CXR? Does he need BiPap? Temp? does he have a foley yet? Is he making urine? Maybe he needs a

  17. H & H Values

    Biffbradford replied to robert.hiester's topic in Critical Care

    Agree with above. Additionally, there is probably a cut off number in the orders (call if) and would be MD specific or be different on a case to case basis. If the patient has Sickle Cell Anemia...

  18. Anyone been asked inappropriate interview questions?

    Biffbradford replied to laKrugRN's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    She did you a favor. That place is not a good match for you.

  19. Uncertain about Nursing

    Biffbradford replied to daetor2012's topic in General Nursing

    The ICU is cool. You apply all the medical knowledge you have obtained and do good work for bettering mankind. However, just like an auto mechanic who applies all their mechanical knowledge to get...

  20. Will ICU nursing get better for me?

    Biffbradford replied to Apple71286's topic in MICU, SICU

    You'll get it. It takes time for everyone. I started CVICU right out of school and didn't know jack. I took it step by step and made it over 12 years. If you haven't killed anyone by now, I don't...

  21. PVC and PAC in ECG rhythm

    Biffbradford replied to bruto's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    It's not so much if they are there, it's if they are increasing in number and frequency. Never hurts to take a peek at the last set of labs for a K+ or Mg++ that was low and never supplemented. Are...

  22. NOC nurses need sleep too!!!

    Biffbradford replied to NurseQT's topic in General Nursing

    We even had mandatory staff meetings at 4pm. They lasted 2 hours. Our 12 hour night shift began at 7pm. For some of us it was an hour or more drive home. Do the math Ms

  23. New job on 3rd shift. Struggling. Need tips

    Biffbradford replied to TigerGalLE's topic in General Nursing

    Eight hour shifts are much more bearable than 12 hour marathons. I did 12 years of 8 hour night shifts (15 minute commute), but only lasted a year doing 12s (1 hour commute). I had no problem doing...

  24. Glucostabilizer Carbohydrate Coverage

    Biffbradford replied to JessicaCCRN's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    So what happens if the BS > 180? Does JCAHO come down on

  25. CSICU same as CVICU? Interview HELP!

    Biffbradford replied to Nurse7970's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    One hospital I worked at had a separate thoracic transplant ICU (TTICU) for pre and post heart transplants. One room would have someone on FULL life support, and another someone pre-op waiting for an...