phoenix99

Hi, Ive worked NICU for many years and never have used an armboard except in extreme circumstances i.e. antecubital IV that is positional. I find IV's are just fine without armboards and stay in just as long probably as ones with armboards. But if I used armboards I would want them as pretty as possible. :)

Thanks for your post. It's good to know how other people deal with smaller units. I like the olden days when "called off" was not even invented yet.

Yes, infants do withdrawal from Subutex, but we don't see it a lot in my area of the country. We have an epidemic of oxycodone withdrawal infants. To me, all withdrawal is an uncomfortable thing to watch. I am doing research for a combined care unit, where the moms stay with the infants. I am looking for units like that in the US, but have only found one in Canada. Any information on combined care units would be appreciated. Thanks

Hi, Our unit is very similar with regards to the census issue. Just recently we were closed for 10 days!!! Our nursery nurses that float only take baby assignments. Myself being labor and delivery trained prior to SCN/NICU do couplet care, take antepartums( with currently credentialed labor and delivery nurses being responsible for the strips), help in triage etc. I feel blessed that I can help out so much. I get hours that other nurses don't want, so I am always working. I hope this helps. In other words, I guess it depends on your skill set and how much you want to work when the census is low.