ER_RN21

well i can say that as a relativly new icu nurse, it can be a great help, and also working nights, a great help. but i do understand about having someone "looking over your shoulder" as well. but that is all about the person behind the camera; they should be there to help you and not to "write you up" because that is not what it is all about. hope it gets better, and yes i can also say it is super annoying when they camera in and no dorbell sounds. just rude, imho :angryfire but keep working with it, just like anything else, the longer it is used, the better it will get and the more it will be utilized for the correct reasons! :)

we have a trauma team, but most of the time that consists of keeping them alive long enough to get them to the or, and then the or keeps the sort of alive until they get to us then we get to resusictate them. usually massive pressors ( i had a pt come back from surgery on 100 mcg of levophed and the bp was in the 70's per art line and the anesthesiologist was like, oh he's fine, and left!) level i fluid resuscitator, possibly 2 (one for blood products and one for fluids), and as many residents, interns and staff physicians that can fit into the room all yelling orders at the rn's. oh, and the code cart as close as humanly possible with all the emergency drugs already pulled from pyxis. bicarb, epi, atropine, the works. whew. just talking about it makes me jittery! :uhoh21:

i really actually love the rotoprone beds by kci, what a life-saver (literally). in a year that i have been in icu, we are the 2nd in placement on the rotoprone behind mayo and i have seen ppl walk out that we thought would code and never make it. . wow. but as for the bad, probably the rotorest as well. great for lungs and nurses' backs, until your pt poops and you have to take it apart again, and again, and again. . lol!!

Karen-- I work in a large ICU in Indianapolis, IN and this is what we do: Wedge-As ordered, or every 8 hrs. Saline--If the pt. has overly high PT/INR or if on Xigris Heparin--All other pts. If the Swan has been in for more than 1-2 wks, the need is re-evaluated and the line may be pulled.

I just wanted to say that I met my soon-to-be-husband ( can't figure out how many e's for finace/fiancee??) by taking care of his mother 2 yrs ago. We corresponded via email for 2 mos before meeting face to face again, and have been together ever since. It was strange in the beginning but now it is wonderful. I believe we were put together for a reason. And I will admit we did not exchange phone # or anything like that, I got HIS email and it was MY choice whether or not to pursue it. I am glad I did. And I have to say it would have been totally different if his mom was critcal/had died, etc. I would have NEVER dated a pt. themselves. . . too weird. Just IMHO. . .

I thought heparin did not dissolve clots but just prevented new ones from forming? I never did understand how that works. . . Any thoughts? I start as a new grad(RN-BSN) in an Adult Critical Care Unit on Mon, eeeek. Any and all prayers will be appreciated!

At the end of June this year, my VERY close friend had a horrible motorcycle accident at 0830 a.m. By 9pm, all reflexes ( cough, gag, response to pain) were gone. Jason was a LPN to RN student and had been an Army medic for over 10 yrs. He was only 29 yrs. old. Jason wanted his organs donated. They were. His heart, lungs, kidneys,liver, small bowel and long bones were taken. This is what I know for sure, others may have been taken also. This made a HUGE change in my personal opinion on organ donation. I will donate my organs if possible. The person who had to sign consent for him was his wife whom he had been separated from for over 2 yrs. She made the right decision, even tho she did not want to. When Jason died, all I could think of was "WHY??" When I found out that his organs were donated, it helped me to let go and realize that even though someone I loved was dead, others would live because of him. Until you have a personal experience with organ donation, I don't believe you really know what you will do or how you will feel. I am going to work in a Adult Critical Care unit where we will see trauma cases all the time, and I belive that all pts. regardless of their organ donation status will be cared for equally. I hope when you all read this, you will say a prayer for my Jason. Jill

I have been a CNA, done clinical and "extra" work time in the ER and a Student Nurse Externship on a Medical unit, and am now hired as a G.N in a Level I Trauma Center ICU ( Adult Critical Care ) to start in a month. Best advice? Be motivated, learn all you can, do the rotation if you can and Interview!! Experience in any area is key-- All my CNA experience is invaluable to me--I am already over the hump of worrrying about touching someone and doing care--now I can focus and learn about all the specifics that are ICU. Good luck and I hope you learn as much as you can and GO for your goal!! Jill :)

Wow. I have been a nurse's aid for 5 yrs, and I graduate in 2 wks w. a BSN. I have been punched, kicked, bit, spit at and about anything else you can think of, and I had no idea you could file charges. I understand probably not toward an elderly nursing home resident that has dementia, but the others? Wow. Sorry you had to go thru that, I swear it will get better and Good for you for taking legal action. And I would hate to be on the hospital's side if they don't pay for your hosp. bill and all injuries! Good luck!

Hi: To answer Question 1: Pro is that yes, pt and family CAN distinguish RN from other staff. Con: Everyone feels like their individuality is threatened when you MUST wear a certain uniform. And NO ONE pays us for uniform expenses even if the institution dictiates what you must wear ( what is up with that??) Question 2: I think it is up to the nursing population. A distinguishing feature does not have to be a color-- it could be a certain designation on the RN's nametag, or a patch ( god forbid, just like school). But I think the RN's at each facility need to decide what meets their needs. I did work at a facility where the RN's wore white, CNA's purple and support people green. Family and pt's LOVED it. Staff HATED it. It was a stretch on budgets when new ppl were hired and had to buy ALL new uniforms. It did also take away individuality--you felt like you were 'just another nurse' like all the rest in white. O well this is an age old ? that will never come to an end!~!

Hi-- I am a new grad and I was fortunate enough to have a Trauma NP/APN (she had both certs) as a clinical instructor at a Level I trauma center in Central IL. From the way I understood her role, after the trauma suregons/ER docs had either done surgery or admitted the pt, she would write orders, managed their care and made rounds more like a physician role until the pt was d/c'd. She was very involved in each pt's care, and she had ICU//Progressive care and regular floor privilages. She was an excellent role model and made me want to pursue that career. It is now my goal to get some experience and go back to school and get thoes degrees. I have a good start, I am hired into an Adult ICU and start in Jan. Good luck to you and I say go for it!!

Well I can say that from working on a Medical unit for the last 6 mos that has a really high risk population ( AIDS/HIV, HepC/HepB, VRE) that you adapt to what the situation calls for. I learned very quickly to put on gloves as soon as I walked into a room. As for the psyche part, I think any pt. has the possiblility to become a psyche pt and do something crazy.. . but if you are concerned, ASK about how often they have a situation like that. They should tell you and if it does happen they should train you in restraints also. Explain to me the needless facility? Do they not give medical tx? Or is there no IV's, just all pills? Never heard of that before. Sounds neat. Good luck, and go with your heart.

I am starting in ICU after working as a tech for 5 yrs. I can't wait and I am hoping to learn SO much. Your story is very encouraging!! Thanks

I have three words for you : Totally worth it!!!!!! I will finish an accelerated BSN program in a week (YEA!!) and I would not do it any other way again. It was intense, yes, but it was SO worth it. The hard work is now over and I am done with my bachelor's in 3 1/2 yrs. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Also, I worked more than part time as a tech AND went to school so if you want it bad enough you can do anything!

I will start in the Adult Critical Care as a new grad (BSN) in Jan. I think you should jump on the chance to work as a tech there, I have been a tech for 5 yrs and nothing has helped me more. . . I am excited to learn a lot but yet it is still in my comfort zone. I think ICU would be great to prepare you for OR, and you will still get that important med-surg piece before you specialize. Good luck, and don't forget to tell us what you decided!!