essT

essT

NICU

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All Content by essT

  1. Is it me, or am I being given unrealistic assignments in the NICU?

    essT replied to tmjwe3's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    The pod system level II-III NICUs I've been in will do 4-5 crummy feeders together, provided they don't have a ton else going on. Not a fun assignment, and not fair to the

  2. late preterm infants

    essT replied to hrovedo's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    One place I worked automatically

  3. Did I make the right decision not to aggressively resuscitate this baby?

    essT replied to AnnieOaklyRN's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    The edge of viability is hard enough in the hospital setting; bless you for confronting it in the field. Please be kind to yourself. The combination of the birth history, delay of treatment, iffy...

  4. IV securement

    essT replied to ScammRNC's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Wing of tape around the hub, tegaderm over the site, and then thin strips of tape and 2x2 as needed for skin protection. We use pink tape with skin prep for scalps, and paper tape for everywhere...

  5. Level 2 Ratios

    essT replied to jennylee321's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    On our intermediate/level II side, we have between 3 and 5, but most often 4. No techs or helpers. A night with just 3 babies is like

  6. Adult ICU RN interested in NICU

    essT replied to BeatsPerMinute's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I made the transition from adult ICU to NICU about 2.5 years ago. Like someone already mentioned, there have been a number of similar threads on this topic, most of which I have responded to. If you...

  7. Hydrocolloid for skin protection?

    essT replied to Cfholmes's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    For bubble CPAP, we "DIY" our own cannulaides with Duoderm and sticky velcro. They are changed at least q12hr. We only use cannulas on babies who are 40+ weeks with mature skin, so they don't...

  8. 5 Weird Questions Patients Have Asked As An OB Nurse

    essT replied to JanineKelbach's topic in Ob/Gyn

    My favorite is when they're upset their 500g intubated dopamine dependent baby isn't circumcised

  9. RNC-NIC

    essT posted a topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Hi everyone, I'm coming up on my two years in NICU and preparing to sit for the RNC-NIC exam. I've poured over previous threads but wanted to put feelers out for any updated information. My unit has...

  10. RNC-NIC

    essT replied to essT's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Thank you! Apologies if you already know this, but there are suggestions listed on their candidate guide:

  11. RNC-NIC

    essT replied to essT's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Just an update (and celebration) -- I PASSED! It was mostly what I expected, with a wide variety of questions that were challenging but manageable overall. A lot of questions on ABG and electrolyte...

  12. Oakland fire

    essT replied to Dianna11's topic in Nursing News

    Oakland native here, lost a college friend in the fire, used to live just blocks from the Ghost Ship, have been to many warehouses in my time in the Bay Area, and lived in some highly unsafe locations...

  13. RNC-NIC

    essT replied to essT's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I've registered and am waiting for my authorization, so I'll have to take it within 90 days either way. Wish I could do a review course but it's just not feasible at this point. Good luck on your...

  14. RNC-NIC

    essT replied to essT's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Thank you both for your responses! There is just so much information that is fair game, I can't imagine ever feeling completely ready for it. I suppose that's the nature of the test,

  15. NICU ETT tape

    essT replied to alfollin1's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We use duoderm as a skin barrier, elastoplast to hold the tube, and tegaderm over the top to keep the elastoplast from

  16. Desperate For The NICU

    essT replied to JenD1985's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Does your hospital have a NICU, or a special care nursery at least? Often it's easiest to start with a lateral transfer within the hospital -- that's how I got into NICU. If you're willing to...

  17. what kind of pts did you get first year on your own?

    essT replied to tinybbynurse's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I got a good range on my first year off orientation -- fresh s/p reanastamosis, oscillator, iNO, prostin, pressors, micros, new admissions... In my unit (level III), nurses who are committed to...

  18. Adult ICU to NICU

    essT replied to ICUNurseG's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I transitioned from adult ICU (everything except CT surgery) to a level III NICU with about 1.5 years of experience. Like others have said, expect to feel brand new again. Even the things I was...

  19. NICU ratios

    essT replied to mlang's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Level III NICU, 45 beds: 1:1 patients are extremely rare (maybe a handful per year) 1:2 or 1:3 for our NICU patients Step-down patients anywhere from 1:3 to 1:5 depending on staffing, most often

  20. How often are your line changes?

    essT replied to rnkaytee's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We change everything daily. Central, peripheral, clears, TPN, critical drips, you name

  21. Developmental Care Specialist

    essT replied to fulitarn's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Thank

  22. Any Raleigh Durham area nicu RN's

    essT replied to SleepingInn's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Duke, UNC Chapel Hill, and Wake Med (Raleigh) are the level IVs in the area. All do surgeries, head cooling, and ECMO (though at least one, Duke, transfers neonates to PICU for ECMO). I'm not sure...

  23. The nurse that assesses the newborn immediately after delivery??

    essT replied to BSNSt3ph's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We do not have a "transition nurse" as you've described. At my hospital, this is handled by the L&D nurses. After delivery, they promote skin to skin care initially, help the baby latch, do an...

  24. Developmental Care Specialist

    essT replied to fulitarn's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Fulita (and anyone else), can you tell me about the Developmental Care Specialist exam and how you prepared for it? I've read the NANN developmental textbook but that's all in terms of preparation....

  25. Essential oils

    essT replied to aceplace22's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We have a strict no fragrance policy in my level III NICU. (Also, I happen to have a severe lavender allergy -- please be cautious with the