NicuGal MSN, RN

NICU, PICU, PACU

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All Content by NicuGal

  1. NicuGal

    Certifications: ANCC or NCC?

    NicuGal replied to mclennan's topic in General Nursing

    Just that, they offer a different subspecialty group to test for their RNC. Either is accepted as certified when getting Magnet or Joint Commission. We have 75% of our staff RNC
  2. NicuGal

    Per Diem - No guaranteed shifts or Xtra pay??

    NicuGal replied to nothingtolose's topic in General Nursing

    Most people work PRN because they need to be really flexible with their hours. Our PRN don't make more than us, receive no benefits except they stay in the PERS system. They are also the first to be...
  3. NicuGal

    Tips on getting people to come to staff meetings

    NicuGal replied to asilmk's topic in General Nursing

    We do ours at different times thru out the day....ours are usually no longer than 20 minutes. Our manager comes in at 630a to hit nights. It is on our eval and if we don't meet our eval goals, we...
  4. NicuGal

    Pros & Cons 3a-3p and 3p-3a shifts

    NicuGal replied to jgoettemoeller's topic in General Nursing

    I've worked both....I liked them both for different reasons...when I needed to be home in the evening and couldn't get a regular day position I opted for 3a-3p. The bad part...getting enough sleep...
  5. NicuGal

    charge pay

    NicuGal replied to suhlir's topic in General Nursing

    For a charge nurse position (3 per unit) $1.25 more per hour, otherwise if you are in charge no extra pay. No assignment usually unless short staffed, in the ICU's on the floors they do have...
  6. NicuGal

    Favourite Doctor Moments

    NicuGal replied to NO50FRANNY's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    When our docs hold our babies when we are busy and can't get to them, esp the withdrawl
  7. NicuGal

    SIDS prevention and Back to Sleep education for NICU parents

    NicuGal replied to scrabblern's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    If we have a kid with reflux or reflux symptoms, then we get an order for HOB up. Some kids do just fine, it is play it by ear. We take them out of the isolette when they are tolerating the majority...
  8. NicuGal

    SIDS prevention and Back to Sleep education for NICU parents

    NicuGal replied to scrabblern's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We start at about 33-34 weeks for the smaller kids, they start going on their backs with the HOB flat unless otherwise ordered. We place them in sacks when we bundle them. Bigger kids, unless sick or...
  9. NicuGal

    assaulted by my patient--one year later

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

    Most programs don't consider NICU as the critical care component. We have people leave to go to ER or ICU's to get the experience. I wish I could help you, but I do wish you the
  10. NicuGal

    Should I.....

    NicuGal replied to MajesticRN's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    It is probably going thru HR also, along with her interviewing others. Give a little
  11. NicuGal

    I was yelled at by my nurse yesterday

    NicuGal replied to EllieBean13's topic in General Students

    She shouldn't have yelled at you that way, not an excuse, but sometimes people have a bad day and you are on that receiving end. I have become a bit short with a few students who were like toddlers,...
  12. NicuGal

    Reporting of Lapse in License

    NicuGal replied to jsguy's topic in General Nursing

    Reinstated is
  13. NicuGal

    What causes As and Bs during gavage feeding?

    NicuGal replied to LRC_RN's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We still use Reglan on kids with bad reflux. I have never seen TD because we don't use high doses. We use pepcid a lot, only Zantac in
  14. NicuGal

    nclex question regarding a maternity question

    NicuGal replied to leogirl8's topic in NCLEX Exam, Programs

    That is tricky as months is usually used by lay people and weeks by OB/NICU. When someone says they are 2 months along, they are really 4 weeks further along than they think. Gestation is 40 weeks...
  15. NicuGal

    Changing practice for experienced nurses

    NicuGal replied to gfoster6993's topic in Nursing Student Assistance

    Focus on re-education with inservices and powerpoints. We have even done read and signs but have to demonstrate a certain skill back, such as heelsticks, etc. Also supply any EBP articles you
  16. NicuGal

    Parents who are controlling

    NicuGal replied to obprof's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Sometimes you have to let them learn the hard way about certain things...we can tell them over and over not to touch their 23 week baby who is oscillating and on all the drips, etc, but until they see...
  17. NicuGal

    Length of Vacation Time for Registered Nurses

    NicuGal replied to jladha's topic in General Nursing

    We have some limitations...we are only allowed 2 weeks in the summer, being defined as May 15th to Sept 15, no vacation the weeks of Christmas and New Years. It is first come first serve from January...
  18. NicuGal

    Peds is NOT easy!

    NicuGal replied to Double-Helix's topic in Pediatric

    We get that in NICU too...oh they are so cute...yadda yadda. Come in and spend 12 hours trying to sooth a heroin-methadone-and whateverelsemymother took baby. Not so fun. Or that little preemie...
  19. NicuGal

    Alone as a New Grad in the ICU

    NicuGal replied to colie5265's topic in Critical Care

    Wow...I don't think I've ever been called a dinosaur because I've worked for 20+ years and started out with a diploma. Well dearie, back in the day those were the degrees to have and hospitals would...
  20. NicuGal

    What to do about thin skin on hands from washing them too much?

    NicuGal replied to smartnurse1982's topic in General Nursing

    Anything with shea butter! If you are an organic person my friend sent me a website that a co-worker of her's has. She is a nurse and has helped formulate all the skin products....I have used her...
  21. NicuGal

    Legal issues with only having one RN on the floor

    NicuGal replied to photocodo's topic in General Nursing

    I don't care if you are an experienced nurse...only having one person on a floor is asking for trouble. Even in our PICU we have 2 nurses and a secretary no matter what. I'd have to question this...
  22. NicuGal

    Pregnancy and hospital nursing

    NicuGal replied to Good Morning, Gil's topic in General Nursing

    Anywhere you work in a hospital is a risk unless you are in an office behind a desk. Honestly, nurses have been having babies years, and I work in a NICU and have never seen a baby sick or whatever...
  23. NicuGal

    Maternal-Neonatal Care Plan Assistance Needed

    NicuGal replied to mmc1786's topic in Nursing Student Assistance

    Ok..what are Enhanced Orgnaized infant behaviors? The breastfeeding one is good, and you can do one on SIDS...this is a big hot topic in MCN right now. Everyone needs education, even ICU
  24. NicuGal

    NDx and newborn

    NicuGal replied to Qtip's topic in Nursing Student Assistance

    Risk for sepsis related to maternal GBS manifested by temp instability, respiratory distress, poor feeding/lethargy. And remember, newborns rarely present with a fever, they will drop their temp....
  25. NicuGal

    Because It's always been done that way orders

    NicuGal replied to Travel_RN_0714's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    I don't think you're nuts at all. Even if they aren't accredited, there are certain things that need to be done correctly and not go against our scope of nursing. Why can't they just have it added...