Biffbradford

Biffbradford

ICU

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All Content by Biffbradford

  1. My first truly critical patient!!!

    Biffbradford replied to francoml's topic in MICU, SICU

    If you gave your patient 24 hours, then you also gave the family 24 hours to digest the whole scene and come to grips with

  2. MIddle Aged and Burned Out...Any Suggestions?

    Biffbradford replied to westieluv's topic in General Nursing

    For me, managing people and budgets is not my cup of tea. I'm looking for clinic

  3. MIddle Aged and Burned Out...Any Suggestions?

    Biffbradford replied to westieluv's topic in General Nursing

    Welcome to the club, I'm grappling with the very same problem right now. I am so jealous of people who appear to love their job and they don't have to deal with someone trying to die on

  4. My first truly critical patient!!!

    Biffbradford replied to francoml's topic in MICU, SICU

    Congratulations. That's certainly something to be proud of when you're able to manage such a case no matter what the

  5. I'm an ICU RN with MRSA:-(

    Biffbradford replied to ICUMRSA's topic in Critical Care

    I too acquired MRSA either through work or during my own hospitalization after being hit by a car. A PICC line with Vancomycin therapy at home sent me on my merry way in due time (that's strong stuff...

  6. RNs: How much vacation time do you get?

    Biffbradford replied to SummitRN's topic in General Nursing

    The only time I've ever had a WEEK off was when I was hit by a car and got admitted to the hospital myself. Typical: "No, I'm sorry ... I can give you Tuesday and Wednesday off that week, but then I...

  7. Comfortable in ICU

    Biffbradford replied to NurseYe's topic in Critical Care

    I started CVICU straight out of school and I've always stated: The first 6 weeks I wanted to quit every day. The next 6 months I wanted to quit every week. The next 6 years I wanted to quit every...

  8. Advice Needed Please!!!

    Biffbradford replied to CTICU-RN's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    I know where you're coming from. I also went from a major CVICU with VADs, BiVADS, TAH, transplants, etc to a small general/cardiac ICU with the 'easy' CABGs. Occasionally there were the hot STEMIs...

  9. New(ish) Nurse in ICU

    Biffbradford replied to nikkole318's topic in Critical Care

    Expect the unexpected. Could be anything. Could be brain masses, left ventricular hernias, strangulated bowels, who knows? You might send them out for treatment, but anything could roll through the...

  10. Nursing makes me hate fat people

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

    Sounds like they've got you working! Don't think for a moment that what you are seeing is unique. Welcome to the club fellow nurse!

  11. Less full time jobs out there

    Biffbradford replied to sungrl01's topic in General Nursing

    I'm job hunting and have seen some full time clinic positions for RN. Most hospital positions are 0.9 or 0.8fte (full time equivalent), but then of course you're expected to become certified in your...

  12. Just passed CCRN ask me anything!

    Biffbradford replied to KBICU's topic in Critical Care

    Oh ... I thought you were fielding clinical questions to show off your new knowledge.

  13. Doctor's attitudes

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

    I've talked to them while on the treadmill at 3am (go figure!), brushing their teeth, and flushing the toilet. Don't take it personally. You're just doing your job and they get paid plenty to answer...

  14. Doctor's attitudes

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

    Unless, of course you've found out that they love Shakespeare (or the Doors, whatever) and you've used that to become their best bud on the

  15. Help!!

    Biffbradford replied to CTICU-RN's topic in Critical Care

    What sort of things do you hate about it? At my last job, I would take report, look at the clock, and say to myself: " 11 hrs, 30 mins to go." I lasted a

  16. Beginner's Blues?

    Biffbradford replied to jrsRN07's topic in MICU, SICU

    If you're having a hard time remembering things, then write them down. There have been times when I finish my shift with a whole stack of notes written on ICU note paper (paper towels). Hang in there,...

  17. New grads shouldn't work in ICU?

    Biffbradford replied to Kayla2013's topic in Critical Care

    I can definitely see their point of view. Honestly, you don't even know what you don't know and a more experienced ICU nurse can run circles around you in terms of avoiding complications before they...

  18. Would you commute an hour to a job you wanted?

    Biffbradford replied to nursebythesea's topic in General Nursing

    I was driving an hour each way for 12 hour night shifts. I would fall asleep behind the wheel EVERY DAY coming home. I had to quit. I did not want become another one of THOSE news

  19. Mobile/Cell Phones at the bedside??

    Biffbradford replied to nellymac's topic in Critical Care

    This is an interesting thread which addresses the changes in technology that are happening right now. The unit I just left completely BANNED cell phones very recently (the manager even had secret...

  20. Hey guys! Laptop, tablet, or plain old paper, pen, and clipboard?

    Biffbradford replied to dsingson5's topic in First Year After Licensure

    AGreed. You'll have hard enough time keeping tabs on your stethoscope so it doesn't grow legs, don't add more things to look

  21. Unsuccessful at nursing and not sure what to do

    Biffbradford replied to OnestressedRN's topic in Nursing Career

    I've done 'dumb errors' too. Once I was prepping a patient for heart surgery and turned the Heparin drip off at the ordered time. When I cleared my pumps at the end of my shift, I had to turn that...

  22. I feel like I caused a patient's death and I can't get over it

    Biffbradford replied to jane82's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    It's not like you're working in the ICU where you can simply reach over and grab the suction tubing that's already running. Even after suctioning, the patient may have still coded. We sent numerous...

  23. Question about post-op patient scenario

    Biffbradford replied to ChipNurse's topic in MICU, SICU

    Ha!

  24. Question about post-op patient scenario

    Biffbradford replied to ChipNurse's topic in MICU, SICU

    Perhaps someone can put out a definitive response, and I'm more cardiac surgery than liver transplants, but I'm guessing that all that blood is coming from general ooziness from portal hypertension...

  25. How do you update families in your ICU?

    Biffbradford replied to psu4hld's topic in Critical Care

    I just talk to them as I'm crawling over them trying to get to the patient. I jest, of