NEWBETHRN

I received a flyer from Boca Raton Regional Hospital for their new neuroICU and I am curious. How are nurses treated, what is the nurse/MD relationships like, what is the pay scale? Just tell me everything you know. I am thinking that the neuroscience program is in the growing stages, am I right? Thank you for any insight, thoughts.

I am seriously thinking about relocating from Florida for more job opportunities. I have been a nurse for 14 years with a primary focus on ICU, surgical and neuro. I worked for a large teaching hospital in the past and am back at a community hospital and I miss the academic center tremendously. I have always wanted to work for Duke but am a little afraid the mystic will be ruined. Can anyone tell me what the like, don't like and what salaries are like? I am master's prepared and one day hope to be a clinical nurse leader/specialist in neuro or surgical ICU or progressive care. Thank you

Waveforms are critical when it comes to ICP monitoring. The waveform tells us a lot about the the number we are getting. A normal ICP waveform should have peaks and valleys similar to but not as large as an arterial waveform. We can test how valid a number is by doing a square wave test on all of our waveforms that are connected to a flush system. ICP monitoring is not connected to a flush system so this is not an option. If the ICP waveform does not have the peaks and valleys then it is considered dampened and may not be giving us true numbers. If we are measuring ICPs via a ventriculostomy then we can assess the system further by ensuring it is draining and that the output has not decreased or changed color. Frequently I have seen my waveform dampen out then I loose output and the ventric either needs to be flushed or changed out entirely.

No one should be providing care while taking narcotics. They can impair your judgement and create dangerous situations for patients.