ICUenthusiast

ICUenthusiast specializes in ICU.

Latest Activity

1. "Forced Out"

   ICUenthusiast replied to ICUenthusiast's topic in Nursing Career

   Yes, I'd definitely prefer a different facility altogether, as such I won't stop trying/applying until I can get out. The chance of winning my case is very high, disgustingly so. I have references...

2. "Forced Out"

   ICUenthusiast posted a topic in Nursing Career

   Long story short, I was forced out of my position (resign or be terminated) several months ago. When asked why I was being asked to resign, my response was, "You're a great nurse, but we can't have...

3. Disillusioned and Bullied

   ICUenthusiast replied to Traum-a-Rama's topic in First Year After Licensure

   It's a right-to-work state, but is there a union involved enough to have had union contracts? Some hospitals in right-to-work states are union shops or however you phrase it and they will represent...

4. Saline flush without a physician order?

   ICUenthusiast replied to stephenfnielsen's topic in General Nursing

   What's your facilities protocol say? Some even allow you to order heparin flush per protocol for individuals with central lines to prevent clogging provided they don't have HIT or something. I know...

5. Loan Repayment Programs

   ICUenthusiast replied to Mudminkk's topic in General Nursing

   Criteria is actually being full time (you cannot have more than x number of vacation weeks either that you use), DSH, non-profit or public hospital. Debt to salary ratio iirc is 40%? And the higher...

6. blood and levophed in same line?

   ICUenthusiast replied to link51411's topic in MICU, SICU

   Hm.. that makes me wonder, we don't see a lot of people that have a decent chance of coding w/o a central already in place, but I have asked about using IO because of the codes you get where they have...

7. Within scope of practice to insert a PICC line?

   ICUenthusiast replied to klone's topic in Infusion, Intravenous

   Most RN's can get training to do a peripheral IV insert w/ ultrasound guidance on very hard sticks. A PICC is similar, but with bigger cuts and more measuring.. maybe with a suture depending on the...

8. I'm ALWAYS tired *sigh*

   ICUenthusiast replied to nurse678's topic in General Nursing

   Late reply but, yes. Provigil has been amazing for me. I only take it the days I work as to not build too much of a tolerance to it (plus I don't need alertness if I'm at home doing laundry for...

9. Opinions on pausing drips before blood draw?

   ICUenthusiast replied to IheartICUnursing's topic in MICU, SICU

   Our policy is to stop all drips afaik. An ABG off the a. line, you don't need to stop. I'm not so sure about labs off the a. line itself though. Specific for heparin, we are supposed to draw off an...

10. questioning trauma doc's choice

    ICUenthusiast replied to nursingmeatball's topic in MICU, SICU

    That sucks. I frequently have a hard time swallowing some of the choices doctors go with. Even if it seems inevitable that the patient won't survive or will have care withdrawn, it feels like they...

11. a new grad's gripes

    ICUenthusiast replied to LoveActually's topic in MICU, SICU

    Generally, I have a better time sedating with precedex.. I've had more issues with BP and propofol. And at least at my hospital, the pharmacist says they can get the precedex cheaper to the pt than...

12. "Don't be nice to her"

    ICUenthusiast replied to NurseBatzy's topic in MICU, SICU

    For that matter, where are the superiors in all of this? Sometimes units with a history of high turn over rate don't improve because the higher-ups are part of the problem. What about a union?? Do you...

13. I'm ALWAYS tired *sigh*

    ICUenthusiast replied to nurse678's topic in General Nursing

    I sympathize. I have a sleep disorder myself, so I take a particular interest in such things.. what you may have is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shift_work_sleep_disorder .. it is definitely worth...

14. a new grad's gripes

    ICUenthusiast replied to LoveActually's topic in MICU, SICU

    I think getting a pt from ER is generally never the best experience, but you learn to live with it cause it really really seems it doesn't get better regardless of what hospital you're at. (If someone...

15. Propofol and drug overdose

    ICUenthusiast replied to ICUenthusiast's topic in MICU, SICU

    Thanks for the input! I was able to talk to someone last night with expertise in the area and they said its the choice drug mainly because of its short half-life. It proved helpful when trying to do...