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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 babies.

One place I worked automatically admitted

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 gestational age (sounds like *maybe* 23-24 weeks ba...

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 else.

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 heaven!

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 have specific questions, feel free to PM me! In ...

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 typically require a barrier.

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

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 a few certified nurses but most of them tested a ...

Thank you! Apologies if you already know this, but there are suggestions listed on their candidate guide: https://www.nccwebsite.org/resources/docs/2015-LRN-Candidate_Guide.pdf

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 interpretation, a handful each on MAS, PDA, hyperbi...

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 as well. Not able to wrap my head around it all ...

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 test! Keep us updated on how it goes.

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, though...

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

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 relocate, take a look at larger regional centers, univer...

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 learning and have shown initiative get just about anyth...

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 familiar with -- vasoactive meds, ventilators, assessm...

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 1:4.

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

Thank you!

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 if they take travelers. I'm planning to move up th...

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 assessment, eyes & thighs, and prepare the baby...

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. There isn't a lot on the website in terms of prepara...

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 oils!)