NICUNurseEliz

Walked into a 4 hour old premie who was born septic and went into DIC. They couldn't get access on the kid so I walked into our neo putting in an IJ, a single scalp PIV infusing 17mcg/kg/hr of dopamine, a whole new set of antibiotics and a volume bol...

When I get to eat during my shift.

Our only set policy for nursing is that we draw a whole blood glucose if the glucometer gives a reading for less than the minimum value that it's calibrated for. Other than that, we work closely with our NNPs/PAs/neos with reporting the values and th...

Pediatric seizures and seizure-like activity that isn't technically one on EEG are awful! We spend so much time looking at kids and asking "is that a seizure? No? Well why is he moving like that?!" I had one kid who had rhythmic movements for HOURS t...

Sometimes I cook, depending on how bad my shift was and how much energy I have. Every few weeks, I cook freezer meals in bulk. I make pans of Mac and cheese and enchiladas that can be popped into the oven, bags for meals that can go right into the s...

Before applying heat to an infiltrated site, be aware of what type of fluid was running when the IV infiltrated. Hypertonic, hyperosmotic, and vesicant solution infiltrations may worsen when heat is applied to the site. Also, to the OP, when you have...

I work in a locked unit so when the secretary has stepped away from the desk, visitors call my number when I'm in charge. I answer the phone and often hear "Let me in!!" barked at me. Umm, who are you? It's a locked unit so I kinda want to know who y...

You know it's going to be a rough day when you walk into your pod and someone hands you a mask and surgical cap for bedside surgery starting right then on your patient who perfed one hour prior. (On the pediatrics floor) when you walk in and someone...

Ventilator types and modes. Nutrition - TPN and formula/breastmilk. Sepsis in the neonate. IVH/PVL/HIE and other brain issues. NEC/surgical belly issues.

The penne goes great with marinara, ground turkey, and Parmesan.

I learned that having a provider snap his fingers at me while trying to get me to do something is infuriating. I'm a nurse, not a dog. I learned that neonates can have new onset dropped beats/PVCs with no definitive cause at times. I learned that it...

That's actually not true either. It's a common myth but it's just not correct. Do patients pay when they leave against medical advice? - The University of Chicago Medicine http://www.annemergmed.com/article/S0196-0644(09)01798-3/fulltext

https://allnurses.com/nicu-nursing-neonatal/new-grad-advice-1056667.html https://allnurses.com/nicu-nursing-neonatal/help-for-new-1052511.html https://allnurses.com/nicu-nursing-neonatal/new-grad-nicu-1044002.html https://allnurses.com/nicu-nursing-n...

I wish I had stopped it earlier, like before I snapped. I normally really like the person I snapped at so I'm glad she and I are back to normal. :)

I learned that scapegoating definitely happens and it's rough! Someone was nasty to our fellow, who was nasty to me, and then I was harsh with someone else who didn't do anything wrong. I felt so bad but thankfully she graciously accepted my apology....

My advice to people for their first night shift is to bring a variety of food. It's common to feel sick for your first few night shifts as your body adjusts to being awake when it normally is sleeping. So I recommend bringing some Sprite/ginger ale a...

I learned that I actually really enjoy working with some nursing students! (Don't hate me, students! I just have a bad track record with having disinterested or rude students) The two I worked with this week were so pleasant and respectful and I real...

This week I learned that there is something called an apple peel defect that can come with an atresia of the jejunum or ileum. So there's a complete obstruction in the intestines and then more small bowel wraps itself around an artery. I don't want t...

I'm pretty much the same (used to be skinny, athletic, blah blah, put on the happy marriage pounds and got lazy) and I found it super motivating. There have been so many days that I look at my steps, realize they're low for the day, and it gets me to...

You speak the truth! The beginning to Un Chien Andalou almost made me jump out of my skin.

I don't mind trachs or colostomies at all! As for the eye thing, my mother thinks it's because I kept scratching my corneas as a baby when I pulled toys down on myself. I think I might just be a weirdo.

I was a good student in school and also heard the same thing constantly about lower scoring students automatically being better clinically. Personally, I got good grades in school because I have decent logic/critical thinking skills (which works for ...

I hate hate hate eye injuries/surgeries, participating in extensive eye exams, and giving eye drops. My very first experience giving eye drops as a nurse was to a baby with a very needy mom who literally leaned on my shoulders and held on to my forea...

I precepted a wonderful new grad recently! She was attentive, open to any learning she could get, and hard-working. And she certainly caught onto things faster than I did as a new grad. I'm excited to see her career because she has so much potential!...

I really think we should have a pro-vaxxer AN group get together and watch it. I'll bring cookies!