NicuGal MSN, RN

NICU, PICU, PACU

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All Content by NicuGal

  1. NicuGal

    Yeah....our new healthcare reform has some real intelligent people running it

    NicuGal posted a topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Just heard that our families that use the FSA to pay for breastpumps will no longer be able to, where as if you are on WIC/welfare you get a nice pump for FREE, compliments of the government. Why,...
  2. NicuGal

    Why aren't pt phones & TV free?

    NicuGal replied to Florence NightinFAIL's topic in General Nursing

    We have Dish or something equivalent....because of the customer satisfactions surveys. Hey, I can't get the proper equipement to treat you, but as you are choking on your dinner and I don't have any...
  3. NicuGal

    Infection control overkill?

    NicuGal replied to BabyLady's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We too are a nothing below the elbow group. Everyone that enters the unit, including parents, must comply. Our ID department had us put a fluorescent cream on after we did a three minute scrub in...
  4. NicuGal

    Change of shift call lights

    NicuGal replied to abbaking's topic in General Nursing

    We do hourly roundings on the floors and it does help. I thought that and no taping of reports was a Jch mandatory
  5. NicuGal

    Closed system UAC

    NicuGal replied to neo29's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We use the Biosensor. It is very easy to use, nice closed system. All staff, including docs and RT's were inservice on their use as we started using them when we did a PI project on line sepsis. We...
  6. NicuGal

    Cross train in PICU?

    NicuGal replied to aerorunner80's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I cross trained in PICU and still will go up to help out or pick up time. I did go to a PALS class and I received like a 3 day orientation to the unit. They do give me younger kids, usually or...
  7. NicuGal

    Placing newborns prone position

    NicuGal replied to newlvngrad's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    First I would like to say that babies should be sleeping on their backs, not on their sides or stomach due to the increased risk of sids. As an LVN and a doula, you should be following the Academy of...
  8. NicuGal

    Flu shot issue

    NicuGal replied to coolpeach's topic in Disaster Preparation

    It could be the preservative in it. I had a reaction similar to that 3 years ago with my regular flu shot. Got preservative free the past 2 years without a
  9. NicuGal

    How Is Your ICU/CCU Tracking Acuity?

    NicuGal replied to danegerous's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    We use the win one too...but it is flawed, as are all of them. Most of our vent kids get the same score as a kid who is
  10. NicuGal

    New grads can't get jobs afraid of becoming an old new grad.

    NicuGal replied to sunspotmia's topic in General Nursing

    It is a tough market everywhere...we had a job fair, and for about 100 positions thru the house, we had 450 applicants. We were told to tell people we are looking for BSN prepared only. I have sat...
  11. NicuGal

    Biggest baby?

    NicuGal replied to aerorunner80's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Just shy of 14 pounds...it was like looking at a toddler laying there
  12. NicuGal

    is fmla detrimental to companies/hospitals?

    NicuGal replied to johnnyDoGood's topic in General Nursing

    Sometimes it does cause problems, esp with staffing. Right now we have 6 people out on FMLA for pregnancy, 4 out for surgical and multiple others that have intermittant FMLA. (We are a staff of about...
  13. NicuGal

    facebook and HIPPA

    NicuGal replied to Spritenurse1210's topic in General Nursing

    Most hospitals have or in the process of getting a social networking policy. Heed it closely. We have had people fired at the institution I work
  14. NicuGal

    neonatal career??

    NicuGal replied to tracyduong's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I agree with the others...you need to look for a large NICU, not a smaller one. Sometimes positions are hard to come by, NICU seems to have a low turn over compared to other
  15. NicuGal

    For those that have taken the RNC or CCRN

    NicuGal replied to I'mANurse!'s topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I helped proctor our last test, and I snuck a look a the test book...it was pretty difficult and the core curriculum, while great, is just a baseline for the test. I'd get a few more resources to go...
  16. NicuGal

    NICU Special on Discovery Health's "Baby Week"!!

    NicuGal replied to futurenurseheather's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I really disliked last night's episode...what the heck...did that baby really warrant an LP? We don't routinely do those anymore unless the kid is really sick! I am so disappointed in this show....
  17. NicuGal

    Surfactant Administration, drawing up the medication

    NicuGal replied to rachels.rn's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We warm it in our hands and don't shake it. Our RT's just draw it up, they don't inject air into
  18. NicuGal

    doxapram, dopram in the NICU

    NicuGal replied to janda381's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We only use caffeine citrate or base. I haven't seen those meds used in over 25 years in the hospital I work
  19. NicuGal

    RT's Drawing from a UAC

    NicuGal replied to megcourt's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Ours draw all art lines, give survanta, treatments and can make certain changes on the vent per the gases. They help with intubations, can intubate if the docs are all at a
  20. NicuGal

    Families requesting no male nurses for their baby.

    NicuGal replied to theatredork's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We tell parents that everyone on the staff is capable of taking care of every baby in the unit. We don't let them say who can and cannot take care of that baby unless there is an all out war...
  21. NicuGal

    stupid documentation!

    NicuGal replied to NC29mom's topic in General Nursing

    Let me tell you....if you ever get called for a deposition on that charting...you are hosed. I've been called x2 and had to read other people's stupid stuff and the other attorney just fed off of it....
  22. NicuGal

    No prenatal care?!

    NicuGal replied to rrprn's topic in Ob/Gyn

    Working for a county entity, yes, you can come to our place regardless of ability to pay and be taken care of. But...people don't want to come there, they want to go to the posh places and some of...
  23. NicuGal

    Admitting a med error on Facebook??!!

    NicuGal replied to DLS_PMHNP's topic in General Nursing

    We have a social networking policy in place where I work...and the institution has fired 2 people already. I work in an at will employer state and it is also in the hospital policy that you will not...
  24. NicuGal

    Facebook Policy

    NicuGal replied to nkochrn's topic in General Nursing

    We've had a social networking policy in place. They have fired two people since. The old saying goes, don't poop where you sleep (or work). One of the higher ups cruised thru people's profile,...
  25. NicuGal

    Music in the NICU- need your opinions

    NicuGal replied to soleilrose's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Kids that don't tolerate alot stim don't get music, ones that are older, usually greater than 34 weeks do like the soft baby music. But...some kids don't tolerate touch but respond well to music....