Biffbradford

Biffbradford

ICU

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All Content by Biffbradford

  1. Night shift nurses: tips on sleeping AT NIGHT

    Biffbradford replied to edwindelahiggins's topic in General Nursing

    I lasted 12 years doing 8hr NOC shifts 2300 - 0730, just over 1 yr doing all 12's. Doing 8s, I'd sleep from 8:30 till about 1300 or 1400, go outside, get some sun and fresh air, then take another nap...

  2. New CCU RN-Do I need to purchase a cardiology stethoscope?

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

    I have to admit, those Littman Cardiology stethoscopes are sweet, you can hear a crackle at 50 feet! Then again, you sometimes get stuck in isolation and have to use the 99 cent jobs and do the same...

  3. Never been charge.

    Biffbradford replied to RNikkiF's topic in General Nursing

    I've been a nurse for a lot longer than 4 years and I've never been in charge. Gathering all the surgeons for a early AM conference call to get them to either transfer someone out of the ICU or...

  4. Feeling so guilty calling off sick

    Biffbradford replied to mclennan's topic in General Nursing

    If you don't have your health, what do you have? It's not your fault staffing is

  5. Reinventing a Nursing Career after 16 years.

    Biffbradford replied to Charslight's topic in Nursing Career

    I, too, am in a similar boat with 14 years in the books. Your post, and my experience, is at complete odds with a few others who simply state: "When I get tired of this unit, I'll just transfer to...

  6. Realities of stress and dissatisfaction in nursing.

    Biffbradford replied to Danfrombham's topic in Health, Stress Management

    Just like that? It's that easy, huh? I would like to know, who you know, that can pull the strings for you. It's been my experience, which has been driven solidly home this past year, is that once...

  7. Experienced ICU RN having difficulty finding job

    Biffbradford replied to CircleOfRN's topic in Critical Care

    Masters in Nursing or ? I know a nurse in the Chicago area with 20+ years of cardiac / cardiovascular ICU experience that got kicked to the curb by Loyola and Rush Presbyterian. It's a tough world out...

  8. ICU interview

    Biffbradford replied to pseudo_name's topic in Critical Care

    Describe a time you made a error, what you did about it, and how it changed your practice. Describe a challenging encounter with a physician, how did you handle it, and how did it affect your...

  9. Bitter Cold

    Biffbradford replied to HikingEDRN's topic in General Nursing

    Some time ago, I was WAY up in northern Wisconsin cross-country skiing and my car wouldn't start at -10F. I walked a mile to a snowmobile shop, paid $$ for a bottle of gas line de-icer, walked back...

  10. Bitter Cold

    Biffbradford replied to HikingEDRN's topic in General Nursing

    -2 F should be no problem for a 2011. Point the car so the wind does not hit the engine directly. Take a look at the battery (yes, you'll have to open the hood), if the terminals have lots of gunk on...

  11. Stand out from the crowd ?

    Biffbradford replied to Theone40's topic in Nursing Career

    Extracurriculars. All hospitals are big on getting Magnet certification and want staff to work on projects that help the achieve that goal. So, anyone working on comittees outside your normal job...

  12. Clots related to fast afib

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

    How far out from surgery? I don't think you'd want to anticoagulate someone just out of surgery and you'd let the surgeon run that show anyway. Maybe that's the reason for delay in addressing that...

  13. Highest PEEP you've seen?

    Biffbradford replied to sapphire18's topic in Critical Care

    Don't blow a bleb. What were the other settings. I would think that if you're that high in peep, it's time to try something else. (if there is something

  14. Interviewing for ICU...

    Biffbradford replied to DEE S.'s topic in MICU, SICU

    The two I struggle with: Describe a time when you had a difficult time with a physician. Describe a time when you made a mistake. I don't want to ruffle any feathers and I don't want to incriminate...

  15. What can I do with my degree?

    Biffbradford replied to Imeanreally's topic in Nurse Entrepreneurs, Innovators

    Here's my 2 cents. I may even give you a nickel's worth. I've never worked in a Dr's office myself, but I would think the doc would be doing the Botox (seems more like an art getting just the right...

  16. I can't find work!!

    Biffbradford replied to Quit Floating Me's topic in Nursing Career

    Have you talked to any agencies? Working for them for a while might be a good way to turn over a new leaf and get a back door into something more

  17. Please, Your thoughts: Should I become a nurse ?

    Biffbradford replied to Alex2014's topic in Nursing Career

    I agree with the above and go into bio-medical engineering. That's where the docs are making the BIG bux. There are so many of us trying to get OUT of nursing, why would anyone want to get IN? BTW,...

  18. Burn ICU RN transfer to Cardiac Surgery ICU

    Biffbradford replied to rachaeld20's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    Agreed, your experience will help you, but to be sure, a cardiac surgical patient behaves unlike any other. You will have MUCH to learn! Good

  19. How do you deal with death?

    Biffbradford replied to succinate's topic in General Nursing

    It depends on what kind of job you have. I work in ICUs and quite frankly pure repetition has taught me how to deal with it. Not too long ago, a co-worker asked for help with a turn ... "Sure, no...

  20. How do you leave work at work?

    Biffbradford replied to RNperdiem's topic in General Nursing

    I give 'em one hour to call in case there is a question, after that I won't answer the phone. I also try to do something I enjoy right after work to give me one degree of separation in my...

  21. Have you ever had an accident driving to work in a snow storm?

    Biffbradford replied to Alnitak7's topic in General Nursing

    Sure, I'll work a double so you don't have to drive in the snow ... BUT, then you have to work a double so I don't have to work on the 4th of July. Sounds fair to

  22. On-Call Duties in Acute HD

    Biffbradford replied to westieluv's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    I'm job hunting and this thread offering an inside look at the field is eye opening and very much appreciated. No wonder there are always openings in acute

  23. Thinking about applying to CTICU... Need a confidence boost

    Biffbradford replied to SK23's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    Focus on what you can do for them, rather what they can do for

  24. Documenting IABP numbers

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

    I would go to 1:2, hit PRINT, then back to 1:1. Certainly, if the patient is unstable and drops their BP by just turning on a light, forget

  25. does this sound extremely unsafe or is this typical??

    Biffbradford replied to raindrop's topic in Cardiac

    One more job for the charge nurse! Park at the