NicuGal MSN, RN

NICU, PICU, PACU

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All Content by NicuGal

  1. NicuGal

    The problem with floating ER Nurses

    NicuGal replied to crabalot's topic in Emergency

    I don't work in our ED, but I have many friends that do. They don't float when it is really slow, but they will go over to the ICU's and lend a hand (they are not assigned patients, they just help...
  2. NicuGal

    No breaks (class action lawsuit)

    NicuGal replied to Been there,done that's topic in General Nursing

    The hospital I work for had to pay out a large sum of money in 1988 because they were deducting lunch fromo our pay, even if we didn't get one. That lead to having to sign in and out for every single...
  3. NicuGal

    What do you guys use for art lines??

    NicuGal replied to Nursemommi's topic in PICU, Pediatric

    We use Biosensors. http://www.kentecmedical.com/manufacturer_detail.phtml?mfg_id=137&pline_id=143 I don't know why it has only a limited shipping area, we get them....maybe not updated lol But...
  4. NicuGal

    Swings in SCN

    NicuGal replied to beecraft's topic in Ob/Gyn

    We use the ones that look round....babies don't get scrunched up in them and they are somewhat nested. http://www.ecrater.com/p/7721856/fisher-price-butterfly-garden-papasan...
  5. NicuGal

    Explaining post op pain to patients

    NicuGal replied to ReginaPhalange's topic in Patient Education

    I had a lap. chole and my surgeon was pretty up front with the shoulder/neck pain. They loaded me up with fentanyl and a vicodin for the road, thank goodness lol I thought...well, this isn't so bad,...
  6. NicuGal

    What is the Highest Bilirubin you've ever seen?

    NicuGal replied to dawngloves's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We have had a few kids that we have stopped MBM, if the bili levels don't respond to increased fluids and more breastmilk feedings, we will stop the MBM and give formula, if the bili levels start to...
  7. NicuGal

    Nursing Care Plan for TPN patient?

    NicuGal replied to halfwaythere's topic in Nursing Student Assistance

    The imbalanced nutrition one....it isn't really related to the TPN, you are using the TPN to treat the imbalance. The risk for infection is good. Think about where it is metabolized and the problems...
  8. NicuGal

    Critical thinking in OB ... HELP!! Jaundice newborn

    NicuGal replied to Student2001's topic in General Students

    Bili blankets work great, but it sounds like they didn't tell you to use it properly. The baby should be on it all the time pretty much, you can bundle it with them, even for feeds, not just sleep....
  9. NicuGal

    Critical thinking in OB ... HELP!! Jaundice newborn

    NicuGal replied to Student2001's topic in General Students

    First you have to determine if baby is at light level, you just don't start jaundiced babies under lights. Look at the rate of rise (age and hours old). This should be in your textbook. Also, is...
  10. NicuGal

    How to switch from telemetry to NICU?

    NicuGal replied to csangelic's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    If you could get into a hospital that does high risk delivery that would be good too...our girls in our high risk area are pretty much like ICU nurses as the floors don't like to take the sicker moms....
  11. NicuGal

    sedation during neonatal lazer eye surgery

    NicuGal replied to KDHarvellRN's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Not all of them are intubated and we don't put them on a nasal cannula unless they drop their sats with the sedation. We do have some kids that we will electively intubate if they need extensive...
  12. NicuGal

    sedation during neonatal lazer eye surgery

    NicuGal replied to KDHarvellRN's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We use Fentanyl and Versed. We give a dose of Fentanyl about 15 minutes before the procedure and then a dose of versed as the procedure starts. We can give an additional Fentanyl and Versed if...
  13. NicuGal

    Streamlining Medication Administration?

    NicuGal replied to JMomBaby's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    That preceptor is wrong. You should always look up meds that you are not familiar with, and when I precept that is what you would do. You need to know if you are within the guidelines, if you aren't...
  14. NicuGal

    Higher CRBSI in Peds and NICU?

    NicuGal replied to WildcatFanRN's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Did she site her references? There are nicus with high numbers, just as I am sure there are adult icus with high numbers. Our kids can also get sepsis from other sources besides their lines since...
  15. NicuGal

    Higher CRBSI in Peds and NICU?

    NicuGal replied to WildcatFanRN's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    The biopatches release the chlorhex constantly and when their skin isn't fully developed they can absorb the chlorhex. We are also very careful with betadine use and make sure it is washed off asap...
  16. NicuGal

    Giving a flu shot to patients without a signed consent?

    NicuGal replied to Double-Helix's topic in General Nursing

    On our peds floors it is the same thing for the flu vaccine, all our floors for that matter. We just had a meeting about this and it is done hospital wide for us as I wrote, verbal consent, order in...
  17. NicuGal

    Higher CRBSI in Peds and NICU?

    NicuGal replied to WildcatFanRN's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We don't bath kids in chlorhex. We will use bactistat once a week on our MRSA+ kids. We use chlorhex in kids over a kilo and betadine on the ones below. We also use biopatches on our kids over 28...
  18. NicuGal

    Would keeping my own birth book be a HIPAA violation?

    NicuGal replied to somedayCNM's topic in Ob/Gyn

    I wouldn't use the initials or any other potentially identifying info. If someone blabs that you have that journal and something goes to court (remember, you are in a highly ligated area and they...
  19. NicuGal

    Giving a flu shot to patients without a signed consent?

    NicuGal replied to Double-Helix's topic in General Nursing

    We don't get written consents for immunizations either. The doc or NNP talk to them, obtain verbal consent and document it in the order for the immunization. Our pharmacists will not release the...
  20. NicuGal

    Why do docs do this?

    NicuGal replied to ebear's topic in General Nursing

    We share ours with our docs without a problem...of course they can't just up and go off anywhere in case the delivery room calls lol We have only had a few we had a problem with and we set them...
  21. NicuGal

    GBS prophylaxis med error

    NicuGal replied to Eyeknit's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I believe ours is within 4 hours of delivery or completed course, so that would be inadequetely treated where I work and the kid would get a workup and 48 hours of antibiotics. So yes, that is a med...
  22. NicuGal

    SCHEDULING/WEEKENDS

    NicuGal replied to apriloglesby's topic in General Nursing

    Our schedule is done in 4 week blocks. You are required to sign up for one full weekend, 2 Fridays, 1 Monday and one other Sat/Sun per block. If we are overstaffed (many people will sign up for...
  23. NicuGal

    Chest PT on newborns post delivery

    NicuGal replied to MzRN's topic in Ob/Gyn

    That is very old school. We do not percuss any kids unless they have a reason such as pneumonia with collapses etc. And percussing can cause IVH in the preterm infant as it causes fluctuations in BP...
  24. NicuGal

    Change in Matrix: pros and cons

    NicuGal replied to nursej22's topic in General Nursing

    We use that same system and frankly it stinks. Who ever came up with our staffing numbers needs to come in and work with us! They say should drop by one nurse on night shift...hello, our kids pretty...
  25. NicuGal

    Can refusing mandation during state of emergency get you fired?

    NicuGal replied to abouttofly's topic in Disaster Preparation

    Your place of employment should have a policy regarding internal and external disasters. They can't make you stay, but you may not have a job when you come back. We have to stay until