cathys01

cathys01

NICU, CVICU

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All Content by cathys01

  1. Back to Sleep

    cathys01 replied to TiffyRN's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We keep all babies with HOB elevated and with boundary rolls...all the way up until they get discharged. Part of the discharge teaching, however, is about "back to sleep". We explain to parents that...

  2. Central Line Flush Protocols

    cathys01 replied to sandromeda's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    This is the NICU forum, and there's no way we'd flush 5cc before and after a blood draw on a micropreemie. We do not flush with anything less than a 5ml syringe, for the very reason of increased...

  3. CICU Step down or Operating Room?

    cathys01 replied to OURN83's topic in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist

    **This is my third attempt at a reply, the two previous ones appeared to post, but disappeared upon refresh** Take the step down position, or try to get into an ICU (ICU experience is required to get...

  4. CICU Step down or Operating Room?

    cathys01 replied to OURN83's topic in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist

    Take the step down experience...or get into an ICU as soon as you can. OR experience will not get you into CRNA

  5. CICU Step down or Operating Room?

    cathys01 replied to OURN83's topic in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist

    You cannot get into a CRNA program without ICU experience. If I had to choose between the two offers you've received, I'd go for the cardiac ICU step down, then move to the ICU (or skip step-down and...

  6. Would An Lvn Be So Fortunate?

    cathys01 replied to lookingforward's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    If you are only working on prerequisites, I would have to say you would be MUCH better off pursuing the RN than the LVN. There are things that LVNs can't do in their practice...and the transition...

  7. Becoming NICU CNS

    cathys01 replied to Myethpio's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I worked with a girl about a year ago that went to Vanderbilt and got her BSN and NNP (MSN?) before she had any experience at all. Worked in the NICU for a year and then went to an NNP job at a large...

  8. Small vs. big NICU - what is best for new grad?

    cathys01 replied to GoldenGateNurse's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Only 4 weeks of training with critical kids? DEFINITELY not enough time to get everything there you'll need in that environment. (If you're only working 3x12 hrs/week then imagine yourself...

  9. CRNA acceptance after rocky orientation

    cathys01 replied to QuestForWa's topic in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist

    I agree with msjoseph, the immediate focus needs to be on your nursing training, and becoming a competent, proficient, experienced CVICU nurse. One question...have you mentioned to others on your...

  10. What have you done besides NICU?

    cathys01 replied to 2curlygirls's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Started new job in CVICU last week - starting on the unit next week (first two weeks are hospital and nursing orientation)... I'm staying PRN in the NICU though, don't want to completely leave the wee...

  11. Trying to get a leg up...

    cathys01 replied to wjp9's topic in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist

    How about getting a job as a Student Professional Nurse in a CVICU or ICU at the hospital? This would give you great exposure, and also make it easier to land that job straight out of school if you...

  12. Ho, ho, ho...

    cathys01 replied to prmenrs's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We had a santa visit Christmas Eve. Each child was given a large stocking. We put the babies in the stocking and then Santa came to each bedside and held the babies (in their stockings), of course...

  13. Quiet time (again!)

    cathys01 replied to danissa's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Our unit is open 20 hours a day. We only close for shift change from 6a-8a and from 6p-8p. We also close for surgeries on the unit, or if a baby is coding or obviously trying to die (fortunately,...

  14. PDA treatment Ibuprofen versus Indocin

    cathys01 replied to PremieOne's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I just took care of a baby that had a large PDA. Treated with Indocin x 3 doses, did not close. Treated with Neoprofen, closed some, but not completely. Became septic and the PDA opened up WIDE...

  15. Do you change your TPN tubing Q24 or Q72??

    cathys01 replied to MA Nurse's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I've seen numerous times where a kid's triglyceride level goes too high and we will turn off the lipids for several hours and test again before turning them on...how do you handle that if the IL is...

  16. VLBW infants and positioning

    cathys01 replied to NICU Mama's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I should clarify that this was a 29 weeker that was 2 days old when he went on the oscillator. He was fairly stable (no pressors, etc), but his gasses were crappy. He was on nasal canula, then CPAP,...

  17. Online BSN

    cathys01 replied to paratoCRNA2b's topic in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist

    A BSN is a BSN. The online part doesn't matter. Are you planning on doing an ADN and then transitioning to a

  18. money involved in becoming a crna

    cathys01 replied to ccunurse123's topic in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist

    The biggest issue with going to school in California will be living expenses. Depending on where in California, it is very expensive to live. There are much more inexpensive places to live that have...

  19. VLBW infants and positioning

    cathys01 replied to NICU Mama's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I had an oscillator kid for the last four days and I turned him every three hours - left side with head midline, supine midline, right side with head midline. Yes, it's a pain in the butt to do it,...

  20. I did it!

    cathys01 replied to cocco's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    On our unit, protocol is that IVs are a two-person job. There are a few people that will start them alone, but will need help taping...but for the most part, you have a partner from start to

  21. Article on MSNBC about 22 weekers

    cathys01 replied to preemieRNkate's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We admitted a 22-5/7 this weekend. Didn't make it. Of course, I don't think anybody expected him to, but the parents were BEGGING for everything to be done, so everything was done. We admit if: -...

  22. How often do you change your indwelling fdg tubes?

    cathys01 replied to walkingrock's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Seems to me the risk for puncturing something on insertion would outweigh the (unproven) NEC risk. As for how long they stay in, I have yet to see a baby that actually kept a tube down for 30 days...

  23. Syringe Feeding Near Term Infants

    cathys01 replied to PremieOne's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    If we were to have to start all these "alternate" feeding styles for each different kid, we'd have to double our staff! Who has time to do all that? If mom wants to exclusively breastfeed, then she...

  24. Is your first temp on a new admit..

    cathys01 replied to Zippedodah's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    So much for critical thinking, huh? :) I've done one rectal temp in two years, on a kid that had an axillary temp in the 95 range, to confirm the temp. Used a portable with LOTS of KY jelly and...

  25. Does your unit utilize support RNs without pt assignments?

    cathys01 replied to Magilacutty's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We have a charge nurse that usually doesn't have to take an assignment, but probably at least half the time does take one baby with a tech to feed/vitals, etc. The charge nurse does all assignments...