NicuGal MSN, RN

NICU, PICU, PACU

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All Content by NicuGal

  1. NicuGal

    pros and cons of prone positioning

    NicuGal replied to iyqyqr's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We do try to reposition our kids as they tolerate it, we use zflo mattresses and gel pillows. But if the kid is much better on their belly and you can wean them better then that how they go. You...
  2. NicuGal

    ET Tube suction.

    NicuGal replied to Sun*shine's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We stopped routine suctioning years ago. It isn't that good for the kids. RDS is not a secretion producing problem and micronates should only be suctioned when needed as it can cause trauma and...
  3. NicuGal

    Pod leader model?

    NicuGal replied to Kamaulie's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We have 10 rooms with 5 or 6 kids in each. Our charge nurse makes our assignments based on primary patients, acuity. You get you assignment and start your
  4. NicuGal

    Farrell valve with a GJ tube for medications?

    NicuGal replied to ememily2004's topic in Private Duty

    When we leave it on we just use the GT port as usual, clamp it off and them open it 30 minutes later. Does he need it as a
  5. NicuGal

    beanie babies

    NicuGal replied to anon456's topic in Pediatric

    Our NICU doesn't allow any stuffed animals from any source, even parents. They can harbour MRSA, etc unless they can be washes
  6. NicuGal

    ET Tube suction.

    NicuGal replied to Sun*shine's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We had a few, we wrote them up lol I feel bad for
  7. NicuGal

    Not falling for that old trick

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

    I just called off for a week with the flu, accumulated all those sick points and am the proud owner of a written discussion for sick points. And flu is not covered under FMLA unless you have an...
  8. NicuGal

    Bedside report

    NicuGal replied to martymoose's topic in General Nursing

    We also have done it on our peds floors where we would have 4 or 5 patients. Our med surf floors do it and they have become pretty efficient at it. If you use SBAR it usually goes pretty
  9. NicuGal

    Bedside report

    NicuGal replied to martymoose's topic in General Nursing

    We have always done this, even before it was in vogue. If there are family there and there are sensitive things we need to say we do so before we go to the bedside. You get used to it. And it does...
  10. NicuGal

    Working nights with a new baby

    NicuGal replied to mgalla's topic in Nursing Career

    I don't think they will buy that, it isn't an undue hardship, you are doing what hundreds of us have done, had a family and worked off hours. Will you have help during the day or are you going to...
  11. NicuGal

    ET Tube suction.

    NicuGal replied to Sun*shine's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Wow! We have a whole protocol just for suctioning. We only suction as needed, use inline (and even if we use the adapter with a regular suction Cath we don't disconnect, you do lose volume, no...
  12. NicuGal

    Nurse with Disdain

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

    Why continue in something that you feel you are goin to hate? No matter where you work you are going to get whiny needy people, it's part of our profession. If you plan on working with sick people...
  13. NicuGal

    ET Tube suction.

    NicuGal replied to Sun*shine's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We only use in lines where we are with the occasional kid needing 2 man suction. You shouldn't be using saline either unless there are very thick secretions, you damage cilia and was colonized bugs...
  14. NicuGal

    How does your unit secure IVs? (and feeding tubes, cannulas, etc)

    NicuGal replied to elle_RN's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We use regards over the site and Cather and tape and armboards. I always teach People to keep tape to minimum! I had one really horrible infiltrate that I found after I peeled off 4 pieces of tape...
  15. NicuGal

    CVCs and Nystatin?

    NicuGal replied to kerussll's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I've never heard of that practice. Does your team have any evidence based articles to
  16. NicuGal

    Call in sick, or risk getting patients sick?

    NicuGal replied to stelarRN's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    Even if we get sent home we still get sick points. I love that they punish us for being legit sick with docs notes that we had the
  17. NicuGal

    Mandatory Flu Vaccines- How do you feel?

    NicuGal replied to Snowbird17's topic in Disaster Preparation

    We had mandated flu vaccines, and guess what...we had the flu sweep thru our unit like wildfire starting in December and still going. At least we aren't as sick as we could have
  18. NicuGal

    Helipad Trauma Nursing

    NicuGal replied to TraumaBSN's topic in Nursing Career

    Usually at least 2 years ICU/ER experience, many flight nurses are also paramedic/ EMT
  19. NicuGal

    Are Managers against nurses?

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

    When you come in extra, that is what it is. You are still expected to work your regular days unless a deal was cut prior to saying yes to working extra. You can't create a whole somewhere else in...
  20. NicuGal

    Want to get into NICU

    NicuGal replied to peterm2's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I wouldn't recommend it. You get those classes with orientation. It most likely won't make a difference to most places because you really don't have the background to apply those skills. I would...
  21. NicuGal

    Pregnancy and Critical Care Nursing

    NicuGal replied to rach2103's topic in Critical Care

    You have to work one year with 1250 hours of service. You can have 12 weeks off without penalty if you qualify, which it sounds like you won't. Most places give you 6 weeks for a vag delivery and 8...
  22. NicuGal

    I hate night shift

    NicuGal replied to carrie_c's topic in General Nursing

    I think we all know working an off shift isn't good for you, but we can't pack the patients up at 5pm and all go home. You have to be wise about sleep, etc to lessen the
  23. NicuGal

    Call in sick, or risk getting patients sick?

    NicuGal replied to stelarRN's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    Our policy is Fever free and or on antibiotics for 24 hours. Of course if we go over our allotted points we are allowed they will still fire
  24. NicuGal

    HIPPA? New to EMR...

    NicuGal replied to exit96's topic in HIPAA Challenges

    We can look at the census and see what is in L/D but we can't go into the chart unless it is an impending admit for us. Once you get report on a patient you can look in the chart. Remember that if...
  25. NicuGal

    Circumcision and Pain?

    NicuGal replied to jodyangel's topic in Ob/Gyn

    Was there EMLA cream applies before that you didn't know about? We use either EMLA or lidocaine, depending on the OB recommendation. We also give Tylenol when they start and for 24 hours after....