Biffbradford

Biffbradford

ICU

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All Content by Biffbradford

  1. ratio's with induced hypothermia patients

    Biffbradford replied to **LaurelRN's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    How would you like to have your family member experience a life threatening heart attack so bad that they have to sedate and cool you down to unnatural levels, yet the nurse has OTHER chores that may...

  2. CSICU same as CVICU? Interview HELP!

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

    That was our CVICU. Carotids to heart transplants, lobe resections to lung transplant, LVAD - RVAD - BiVAD - TAH to the occasional heroin addict. Don't read too much into the initials, you've just...

  3. CSICU same as CVICU? Interview HELP!

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

    You'll just have to ask what kind of cases they do, what kind of admissions to

  4. CSICU same as CVICU? Interview HELP!

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

    Sounds like it might be cardio-surgical, not cardio-vascular. Same? Different? I

  5. Almost lost my cool at work

    Biffbradford replied to 0.adamantite's topic in General Nursing

    Gotta be careful! I've seen someone get fired ON THE SPOT. The patient pulled out a tube that they just spent 3 hours putting in. The nurse just caught the act as she turned around and in a knee-jerk...

  6. Worked 24 hours/3 consecutive 8hr shifts

    Biffbradford replied to marcjuico's topic in General Nursing

    Even if it is illegal, what are you going to do at the time? Call the cops? That's just a ridiculous situation to be

  7. Managing your own anxiety in a stressful situation

    Biffbradford replied to anon456's topic in Critical Care

    There will be times when you can not walk away from the situation (not just nursing either, think about fire fighters, police, soldiers, surgeons), but there are times when the work flow slows for...

  8. Chest tube flush

    Biffbradford replied to sallyranisme's topic in Critical Care

    Have never seen any chest tubes flushed. I've seen surgeons and advance practice nurses aspirate them with a sterile Salem Sump NG. I don't recall, but they may have irrigated a bit with a normal...

  9. Nurses desensitized to death?

    Biffbradford replied to Meeny's topic in General Nursing

    After experiencing a certain number, they kind of blend together. Certain aspects of each death may stick in your mind, or if they were a long termer and you got to know them personally. I can only...

  10. Forgetting to waste meds

    Biffbradford replied to NewGirl24's topic in Patient Medications

    I would make SURE you take care of them properly, or you WILL be called on it. People have lost their jobs over lesser things than that. If the rest of us can remember, you can

  11. Stick a fork in me, I'm done

    Biffbradford replied to nursej22's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Just be sure to teach your students ALL the facts of the profession, just like you shared with us, and not just paint a rosy picture. By reading this, and other forums, it seems that schools are...

  12. Quad strength Levophed not working

    Biffbradford replied to Blandini7's topic in Critical Care

    What's the half life,

  13. CVICU Machines and Staffing

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

    No float pool ($$$ you know), just poor souls from other ICUs. "I have to float

  14. CVICU Machines and Staffing

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

    Never. I've seen stable LVADs paired with CVVH (). Never seen a float on a machine. To think of it, I was never given any machine when I floated either (and I did all machines). (not that all my float...

  15. CVICU Machines and Staffing

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

    Medical ICU will do CVVH and take the abdominal transplants, Cardiac ICU will do CVVH and IABP, Neuro ICU just does neuro, and CVICU are the only ones taking fresh hearts and thoracic surgeries, VADs...

  16. new job on dedicated ECMO unit

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

    Well, here's my take on it, however warped it might be. ECMO patients are the sickest of the sick. For whatever reason, they are on cardio-pulmonary bypass for days, maybe a week. Sure, it's 'cool'...

  17. Job roles of Nurse Assistants in the CVICU..

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

    I believe that as your experience grows, so do your duties ... such as pulling radial art lines, simple sterile dressing changes, etc. That doesn't mean you get out of cleaning bed pans! (nurses get...

  18. Impaired fluid volume

    Biffbradford replied to Honey Bee's topic in Critical Care

    The first problem I see is with an EF of 62%, how is that "low cardiac output"? Trick

  19. Discouraged

    Biffbradford replied to livefully's topic in Nursing Career

    How long have you been

  20. why nursing is a mess. three simple facts

    Biffbradford replied to chillnurse's topic in Nursing Professionalism

    Yup, that follows the line one of my instructors said years ago: "Some of you may never do this, and some of you may do this every day." Otherwise SPOT ON!!

  21. Impaired fluid volume

    Biffbradford replied to Honey Bee's topic in Critical Care

    If this patient has recently had open heart surgery, then he/she probably does have third spaced fluid. You have to ask, how much weight is this patient up from pre-op to tell you just how much fluid...

  22. Online CPR Class

    Biffbradford replied to OrganizedChaos's topic in General Nursing

    Pretty sure it has to be hands on for health care certification. The local fire department has a self study CPR program, but it's just for your own knowledge

  23. Aurora ICU Graduate Nurse Position

    Biffbradford replied to kerwer11's topic in General Nursing

    Be a sponge - keep your eyes and ears open, offer to help others with turns, admissions, or codes. There is SO much to learn everyday. Good

  24. Job roles of Nurse Assistants in the CVICU..

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

    That is a fantastic opportunity and will be an eye opener. Duties will vary with institution naturally, but expect to help with activities such as turns, getting patients in and out of bed to the...

  25. How can I tell if I'm cut out for night shift

    Biffbradford replied to Nola009's topic in General Nursing

    I worked 8 hour night shifts with a 10 minute commute for 12 years. It wasn't easy, but it was 'doable'. Then I did 12 hours shifts with an hour commute and I made 12 months. It just about killed me....