NicuGal MSN, RN

NICU, PICU, PACU

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All Content by NicuGal

  1. NicuGal

    Am I being investigated?

    NicuGal replied to shortstuff31117's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    I have never been interviewed over the phone, only in person. Is this going to court or are they trying to settle. And be prepared to go over every single word you charted. If there is something...
  2. NicuGal

    How to obtain a tracheal aspirate

    NicuGal replied to quirkystar's topic in General Nursing

    Actually, if you put saline down the tube or trach it can contaminate the specimen with colonized flora. This is our procedure: place sterile catheter on trap, go down tube without suctioning,...
  3. NicuGal

    Can you have piercings in the nursing program?

    NicuGal replied to choomtop's topic in General Students

    Even if the school says okay, you have to abide by the hospital policy where you are doing
  4. NicuGal

    Will my scars from cutting be a problem?

    NicuGal replied to S.F Skylar's topic in General Nursing

    Keep in mind many places are beginning to not allow long sleeves in the clinical area. Our hospitals dress code states this. I would either come up with a cover story or say you dont like to talk...
  5. NicuGal

    Alarm Fatigue- peds specific

    NicuGal replied to meanmaryjean's topic in General Nursing

    Our sat limits are set 88-93% for our low birth weight preemies to save their eyes from harm. Those alarms make us crazy... Wean oxygen 1% sat too low, increase by 1%, sat too high. All day we hear...
  6. NicuGal

    NICU Babies - Security Bracelets

    NicuGal replied to syhuggins17's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Anyone over 1250 grams get one unless they are intubated/critical, have a PIV or PICC in their leg or have had skin breakdown from the tag. The only other exception are the big chronic babies unless...
  7. NicuGal

    Anyone had a chart reviewed by a nurse expert?

    NicuGal replied to shortstuff31117's topic in General Nursing

    I have been involved in several court cases, but I have never had to meet with an expert witness before. But I would have that conversation with someone from the legal department
  8. NicuGal

    Is it legal for hospitals to force Nurses to work without pay during crisis?

    NicuGal replied to jennyanydot's topic in General Nursing

    If they call a disaster situation, yes they can make you stay until adequate personnel are there. Check your policy procedure. We've done this, but we are paid if we are on the floor. They provided...
  9. NicuGal

    Uniform Policy

    NicuGal replied to johnsonj911's topic in General Nursing

    All black scrubs No long sleeves/jackets/fleece/vests for any patient care area. No jewelry no watches Any color shoes Only areas that may go to OR get hospital provided scrubs, otherwise you buy...
  10. NicuGal

    4 lb Car Seats

    NicuGal replied to ScammRNC's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We have no restrictions either. As long as they are strapped in and pass the car seat challenge, they go
  11. NicuGal

    New RN texting Dr. advice

    NicuGal replied to Animorpha's topic in First Year After Licensure

    We text on a program on our computers. It is becoming more common now. It comes across their beeper. Whenyou don't get a response you need to follow up and make sure to chart
  12. NicuGal

    List of level IV NICU's

    NicuGal replied to guest769224's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    You may have to do a state by state search. Also, keep I mind that some may still be labeled as Level 3 with a subcategory of B C D. We have a university hospital here that meets all the criteria...
  13. NicuGal

    Retiring In Your 70s

    NicuGal replied to PacoUSA's topic in Retired Nurses

    I am retiring in two years at the age of 52 í ½í¸ƒ. Thirty two years in. I am able to stay on my husband's insurance until he retires when he is 65. I am in a public retirement system, so it...
  14. NicuGal

    yelled at by doctor at another patient bedside

    NicuGal replied to RadioJenn's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Write you up for what? There is nothing for him to write up. You on the other hand, you have plenty to write
  15. NicuGal

    Should I take PALS even though I don't want/plan on working in pediatrics?

    NicuGal replied to Nursing2102's topic in General Students

    Our unit manager doesn't look at the certs, etc on a new grad. We had one applicant actually ask her about it and when posed a question that required an NRP response, she really still couldn't answer...
  16. NicuGal

    Meth heads are zombies

    NicuGal replied to Emergent's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    We had a mom with walking corpse syndrome. We had to look it up, we though for sure it was a huge
  17. NicuGal

    Cost of Nurse Residency Program

    NicuGal replied to Butterfly922's topic in General Nursing

    This is NOT a residency, it is a skills class. Don't do it, is this affiliated with a hospital? Are they paying you at all? All the residencies that I know of pay you, train you and out you in a...
  18. NicuGal

    Overwhelmed in the NICU

    NicuGal replied to xoemmylouox's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    I was thinking the same thing, what level care were these kids? We have up to 4 gainer grower/stable kids at
  19. NicuGal

    want to do something nice for my baby's nurses

    NicuGal replied to calicokittykat's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    You are so sweet! You don't have to do anything extravagant, a platter of cookies or a cake is simple and always appreciated!!! Sometimes the thing with giving money is that it may get out into a...
  20. NicuGal

    Accelerated BSN Degrees (clarification)

    NicuGal replied to adrag's topic in General Nursing

    Have you applied to any schools yet? If not, you need to get on it. When you go on college visits, there are advisors there who can tell you how many credits you have with AP classes and which they...
  21. NicuGal

    pre and post ductual oxygen saturations

    NicuGal replied to tinkerbell419's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Tell us what you think and we'll chime in. Look at fetal circulation and see why this is important í
  22. NicuGal

    Car seat test

    NicuGal replied to katierobin23's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    The parents are responsible for moving the straps on the car seat prior to the challenge. We cannot do anything with the car seat itself and we don't fasten baby in nor do we put the baby in the car....
  23. NicuGal

    I received this email from a professor. I was a little shocked. Opinon?

    NicuGal replied to kdflet's topic in General Students

    Personally, if I received that email, I would have thought, hmm, glad I'm not one of the ones called out. It is amazing to me how some people show up to clinicals. We just had a girl show up with a...
  24. NicuGal

    Dr. Order for elevated head of bed?

    NicuGal replied to LisaNICUrn's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Once a baby goes into an bassinet where I work, safe sleep is implemented, and this includes HOB flat. We have to have an order to elevate
  25. NicuGal

    No shift differential during orientation?

    NicuGal replied to leekaye's topic in General Nursing

    Our nurse residents get paid less and while they do accrue sick/vacation during the residency, they can't access it for 6 months. Check your actual