tigerita

Congrats!!

Lol oh God, I had 3 missed calls from a New Orleans number on Friday while I was sleeping (post-night shift). Tried to call the number back with no answer later that night. I didn't even think anything of it until just now.

Did they ask you any clinical questions?

I'm curious if anyone can give me some feedback on your hospital's policy with fresh hearts. I recently switched hospitals and am noticing a trend with post-op hearts and profuse bleeding. It's not uncommon to give at least a couple units ffp or prbc emergently or even to send pts back to surgery at my new hospital, while I never had this issue at my old hospital. One difference I have noticed is that previously at my old hospital every fresh heart got a DDAVP ivpb that usually was just finishing as we received them in ICU. My question is, do your surgeons administer DDAVP on your hearts? I know the literature is sketchy on whether it decreases bleeding post-op or just intra-op but depending on what info I can get I may bring it up as a possible change in our routine (even though I realize it's totally dependent on what the docs think). Let me know!

I'm also looking to possibly move to the Phoenix area but from the limited looking I've done so far it looks like there are lots of opportunities! Most of the job descriptions I've seen so far specify that they want at least a year of experience in the specialty you apply for, which it sounds like you have. Go for it. Good luck!

Stay calm during the test and try not to look at what question you are on. Remember that NCLEX selects random students to get the entire test, so don't freak out if you end up having to go through the whole thing! This happened to several people in my class. Also, go with your gut answer. There will more than likely be more than a few questions where you can't really narrow it down, and you should expect that but if you go with your gut answer you'll likely get it right. Good luck!

Hey y'all! I'm a new nurse (graduated last May) working night shifts at my hospital's ICU. I'm a little perplexed because keeping up with the stress of a usual night (crashing patients, code team, confused combative crazies..) is usually enough to leave me worn out by 7am. However, lately I've been finding myself getting lightheaded and dizzy at work, at times even sweaty/shaky when I get home. It seems more and more like I'm having to take breaks to eat something or put my feet up. I pack and eat a normal lunch every night, but have already had to go see my primary for passing out twice in one morning! Have any of you had similar issues when switching to night shift? I know it can be hard on your body but my MD was pretty perplexed.

I haven't applied anywhere yet as I am still researching everything and don't feel like I have enough ICU experience to feel comfortable yet. LSUHSC might be my first choice though.

Thanks for all the insight, it's a huge help. I'm really just beginning to seriously consider the idea so I still have a ton of research to do before making a decision but it seems like I'm (hopefully!) on the right track. Like I said, I would definitely wait at least another 1-1.5 years before applying so that would put me at the 2 year mark. And although the ICU I work in is a bit of a catch-all I've already gotten experience with IABPs and crrt. We don't do ECMO at our facility but it's likely I'll be moving to work in a higher acuity hospital within the next year. Thanks again!

I recently graduated from a BSN program in May and got a job in the ICU. Part of our orientation included observing a CABG and then following up with that pt throughout the day (a long 16 hour day! But I loved it). Anyway, I've always been eager to further my education and the CRNA I observed said I really should look into CRNA school. My questions/concerns are : 1. How important is your undergraduate GPA? Someone in my nursing class said that without a 4.0 I shouldn't bother applying. I'm somewhere between a 3.4-3.7. 2. Would it be advisable to go ahead and take the GRE now since I'm pretty fresh out of school? and 3. How many years ICU experience is preferable? I love my job and am obviously going to stick with it another year at least before applying so that I have a good handle on it. I'm also planning on taking CCRN as soon as my boss will let me. I'm in love with learning as much as possible, especially in terms of critical care. Will CCRN help my application?

I'm an ICU nurse tech and was really surprised that during my interview they were way more interested in my history of restaurant and service industry jobs than my nursing school grades. They had a lot of questions about times when I had to diffuse situations with unhappy customers. My advice would be to make a point of emphasizing that you are willing to go above and beyond expectations to improve patient satisfaction, because even though you'll be learning a ton and will get to perform some cool nursing skills, your biggest priority will still be patient care. But don't get me wrong, its an AWESOME job!

Oh no way! I'm in Thibodaux, what about you?

So with you! Precepting is a pain in the butt. As the RNs on my floor like to point out, I'm actually PAYING to work 12 hr night shifts.

Just applied to the ped ICU SNIP position.. I really hope I hear something soon because I'm trying to move there from Louisiana and that would be my absolute dream job! How long after applying did it take y'all to hear back?