NicuGal MSN, RN

NICU, PICU, PACU

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All Content by NicuGal

  1. NicuGal

    OB preemie NANDA help

    NicuGal replied to ACNP 2B S1S2RRR's topic in Nursing Student Assistance

    With Preemies, their lung issues are always top of the list, it is hard to say with the little info you give. Most likely has RDS, lack of gag...could be just prematurity, the kid could be younger...
  2. NicuGal

    FDA: Do not feed SimplyThick to premature infants

    NicuGal replied to RainDreamer's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We have sent a lot of kids home on this...guess we lucked out! But most of ours were greater than 6 months old...we always try rice cereal first when the reflux meds don't work. I'd like to see all...
  3. NicuGal

    NICU Swings Policies

    NicuGal replied to charryse77's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We have a few that we have bought with donated monies and we do have parents that bring them in. We put a blanket and chux in the ones that are shared and we send the liners to laundry once a week....
  4. NicuGal

    How often do you see headmolding/plagiocephaly?

    NicuGal replied to Dmendez's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    It really isn't addressed because sometimes there isn't a thing you can do about it....we use positional devices, position changes and the such, but some kids just get it. The damage is sometimes...
  5. NicuGal

    Syringe feeding systems

    NicuGal replied to NBmomto2's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We use the orange system from Children Medical Venture. We have been having a problem with the syringes popping off and the feeding tube ends not staying shut and then you get all kinds of nasty all...
  6. NicuGal

    does anyone out there copy charts to save time?

    NicuGal replied to lordgregoryrn's topic in General Nursing

    Sorry, you were in the wrong. Things that are copied, such as standing orders, etc are APPROVED by the facility and are reviewed every 2 years. Nurses notes, that are handwritten are to be original,...
  7. NicuGal

    Using alcohol to clean newborns' umbilical cord stumps?

    NicuGal replied to BellsRNBSN's topic in Nursing Student Assistance

    EBP and AAP says just leave it be. And alcohol doesn't prevent infection, it really has no antimicrobial properties. Preemies get lines in there umbilicus and we do nothing to those...clean before...
  8. NicuGal

    23 wkrs suffering?

    NicuGal replied to nicu4me's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Although, sometimes even when the docs say something, the parents want to go on. It's a rock and a hard place and I hate it. All I hope is that they are drugged enough to not feel anything we do to...
  9. NicuGal

    Can a grad nurse get a prn position?

    NicuGal replied to lillystarrn's topic in General Nursing

    First, the place you are working at right now is not being fair to you. Did they take you off orientation early because of staffing? We never take people off early no matter how great they are, you...
  10. NicuGal

    Mixing Breast Milk with Formula

    NicuGal replied to Love_2_Learn's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    In the above link, it states that you should put in warm water...I thought cool water was the way to thaw the milk as it doesn't change the proteins/antibodies...some moms may put it in hot water and...
  11. NicuGal

    Mixing Breast Milk with Formula

    NicuGal replied to Love_2_Learn's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We have a very well known nutritionist that works with us and she has us mixing EBM with fortifiers and formula all the time...it if wasn't right, we wouldn't be doing it. You do it to boost the...
  12. NicuGal

    Certifications to help a new grad interested in NICU

    NicuGal replied to knufflebunny's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I agree on being in the system. Honestly, I'd skip the certifications....they really don't mean much if you don't have the clinical skills to work
  13. NicuGal

    IS IT ME?????

    NicuGal replied to Dee_RN's topic in Ohio Nursing

    Have to agree with Scott...the big 3 are Magnet and want BSNs. They have to maintain a certain percentage of BSN in the hospital to keep the Magnet
  14. NicuGal

    Stethoscope covers

    NicuGal replied to Marianne518's topic in General Students

    Check with the hospital before you make or purchase them...also certain units, such as ours, they are a big no no. If you want to try to save your tubing without the cover, use armor-all on it...it...
  15. NicuGal

    Gloves or not for IV meds?

    NicuGal replied to Shibby3's topic in General Students

    Actually, you should be wearing gloves when accessing ANY line, PIV, AL or central. This is a huge thing to prevent IV/Central line infections. If you got caught without gloves in my place of...
  16. NicuGal

    PICC Lines And TPN

    NicuGal replied to pearldiaz's topic in General Nursing

    @IVRUS: We have instituted central line bundles with a huge re-education and we have been infection free for 18 months. We only use single lumens, even in the groin, that is why I am questioning...
  17. NicuGal

    PICC Lines And TPN

    NicuGal replied to pearldiaz's topic in General Nursing

    Also because of the high dextrose content the lining of the lumen of the PICC becomes very viscous. therefore you may get particulate adhering to the walls of the lumen of the PICC and the next med...
  18. NicuGal

    PICC Lines And TPN

    NicuGal replied to pearldiaz's topic in General Nursing

    We use only single lumen PICCs...we use a trifurcated filter on our lines...one is for TPN, one for IL and the third is for a med line, which is a closed system. We turn off TPN, etc as needed to...
  19. NicuGal

    Digital/computerized charting...

    NicuGal replied to manchmal's topic in General Nursing

    We use EPIC and it depends on how it is built. We have WNL with descriptors, but if anything is not within WNL then we put X and there is a drop down box to pick things from or OTHER and then you...
  20. NicuGal

    TKO/KVO vs. Saline Lock

    NicuGal replied to NurseAnt's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We saline lock our PIV's, our piccs and 2nd lumen of our uvc's we run hep saline thru at 0.5ml/hr. We quit using heparin on our PIV's about 6 or 7 years ago since EBP showed no difference in the...
  21. NicuGal

    Magnet Status And Adn Nurses ** Not Another Adn Vs Bsn Thread**

    NicuGal replied to RENAISSANCE RN's topic in General Nursing

    It isn't all "hooey" as someone said so eloquently lol Actually, for magnet you have to have a certain percentage of your RN's as BSN. Where I work, they are only hiring BSN...do I think it is...
  22. NicuGal

    RN to BSN..does it pay more??

    NicuGal replied to nurse blondie93's topic in General Nursing

    Depends on what you want to do. Bedside nurses all make the same amount in my hospital, doesn't matter what degree you hold, but as a magnet facility, only people that hold BSN's can be on certain...
  23. NicuGal

    Shave long arm hair before IV start

    NicuGal replied to FLVARN's topic in General Nursing

    For what it is worth, we shave babies heads when we use the scalp veins, better visualization and better stability of the site. I guess it would depend on how hairy that arm was
  24. NicuGal

    new drug-Avastin for ROP

    NicuGal replied to babyNP.'s topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Are you guys seeing the insurance companies reimbursing it? None of the Big 3 in our area are using it and don't forsee using it anytime
  25. NicuGal

    Gastroschisis

    NicuGal replied to qcumba's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We have noticed that it has a higher incident in hispanic kids