StevenSwife

Hi to all my new neighbours as we're moving from Australia to my husband's home, the USA! I'm coming equipped with a post grad & hopefully I finish my Masters in Crit Care by the time we arrive. I'd like to ask a question with regards to the way RN's work in the ICU's... I have been advised that respiratory therapists actually look after the ventilators? Don't the RN's do anything with them? In Australia, the vents are the RN's responsibility, as is the patient's washes, medications, turnings, dressings,ETT positioning & cleaning/auctioning etc and altering the vent settings as required when the patient's requirements change. The only thing we don't do, is the physiotherapy which the physiotherapists do during two round during the day (and more if required). We also ever only have one vent ratio, unless we are covering for breaks. How will my career change when I arrive? I love working with the vents and will hate to not be responsible for them.