Heather333

5 days of hospital orientation ie. policy and procedure, benefits, how to use the computer system, etc. I can only speak from my experience because I went straight into the NICU. My orientation ended up being 12 weeks. Heather

If your nails are that much of a problem, then perhaps your MD can help. There is probably a reason, other than constant handwashing, that is causing your nails to be so weak and painful. I wore acrylic nails before I went into nursing. Yes, they looked nice. I had very weak nails that peeled, broke-off, and bent all the time. But the longer that I left off the acrylics, the strong my nails got. I have not had nails for over 2 years now and my nails are in the best shape they have ever been. Working in NICU, I have to perform a 3-minute scrub before every shift and must practice thorough handwashing all the time. I use Eucerin lotion prn during my shift and that seems to help with the cracking and dryness. Heather

Sixes, If you would have read my second post, you would have seen my reply regarding natural nails : "I agree that excessively long nails (even natural ones) are a hazard in themselves (ie accidentally scratching a patient). But acrylic nails, no matter what the length, are a breeding ground for organisms. It is much easier to clean natural nails, even if they are cracked, by proper handwashing. JMHO. " Heather

AMEN Deb!!!!!!

Perhaps if you are having that much trouble with your nails then maybe your Dr. can help. I agree that excessively long nails (even natural ones) are a hazard in themselves (ie accidentally scratching a patient). But acrylic nails, no matter what the length, are a breeding ground for organisms. It is much easier to clean natural nails, even if they are cracked, by proper handwashing. JMHO. Heather

Personally, I think that any type of false nails do not belong in bedside nursing practice. They harbor multiple organisms no matter how "clean" they look or how often they are done. Patients in the hospital are there because they are sick. They are already exposed to an array of bacteria, viruses, etc. just from the hospital environment. We nurses do not need to add to the possibility of transmitting infections because of artificial nails. Heather

I have had bad experiences with MA's posing as a nurse. I recently had to have a tetorifice shot which was given to me at my GP's office. The MD says the nurse will be in to give you your shot. The MA comes in and gives me the shot in the TRICEP instead of the deltoid even after I corrected her. Needless to say, the Dr and I had an exchange of words and I promptly found myself a new MD. MA's are not nurses and should not be addressed as such. Heather

I had surgery last May on my shoulder secondary to an MVA. I had impingment sydrome where my AC joint was compressing my rotator cuff. Plus I had a bone-spur imbedded in my rotator cuff. I did not have full ROM and had significant weakness in my right arm even though I went through 7 months of PT and rehab. Surgery is a long process and I am still having trouble with my scar. Hope all goes well. Heather

I have never used a 26G cath. We use 24's on all our preemies and micropreemies. Heather

Yep, we're doing to same thing. Have to right "Repeated and confirmed" after every verbal order (abbrevated R&C). It's a pain in the butt, but I can see how it could be useful. Heather

I'm not suprised. Like I said, I was waiting for the lawsuit to be filed. Heather

Working in NICU, we take care of CMV positive babies. Our policy is if you think you are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant, you absolutely CANNOT take care of those patients. Heather

That's why I will NEVER EVER go back to adults. I'll stick w/ the micropreemies. Heather Heather

I had the same trouble with IV's that you did when I first started. I would get a blood return then BOOM there goes the vein. I found out that I was going through the vein because I was aiming too deep. The veins are much more superficial than you think sometimes. I rarely use a transilluminator and have never used one on a big baby. Heather

That's what I thought to. Heather

Worked w/ a urologist....Dr. Cockburn (pronounced Co-burn). Laughed to myself everytime I saw him. Heather

Depends on the babies. Usually under 30 weeks. If they are requiring more than 30% FIO2 after 1 hour, then they get another dose. I have seen term LGA babies w/ IDDM moms get 3 doses of Surf and a 24 weeker only get 1. Heather

We use a syringe attached to a 6F feeding tube and lube the tip. Usually give 1/4cc glycerin to micros and 1/2 to 1 cc for the rest. Heather

We never feed the babies at the same time. They are all at least 30 minutes apart. We sit at the bedside w/ each feeding and don't hang them. We use 5F on micro preemies and change Q3 days. Others we use a 6F OG or NG and change Q3 days. If on NCPAP, most get an 8F OG open to air between feedings. If we use a silastic, it gets change Q30 days. I have noticed that those tubes tend to get clogged up after a while. If we have a baby that tends to pull out OG/NG tubes, we use Snuggle-Up's in our unit. We usually just swaddle them so they can get their littles hands to the tube. Heather

I make my own scrub tops. I usually buy the pants. Heather

My father worked for the post office for 32 years as a carrier and my husband has worked as a clerk at the post office for 5 years. My father was glad to retire and said if he could do it all over again, he would have never worked for the USPS. It is a VERY NEGATIVE workplace. My husband absolutely hates it and is going back to school so he can get out. It's good money, but the benefits are getting worse. You have to do what's right for you and what will make you happy. Heather

We have folders at the bedside; we call them mailboxes. They are explained to parents on admission and new info is put into them according to what is going on with the babies (ex. hyperbili, reflux, hypoglycemia, etc.) I like it because the parents have concrete info to go by and can use it as a reference at any time. We also have a booklet that we give them when the baby is admitted. It has definitions to terms they might frequently hear while their baby is in the NICU. Also handouts about visitation are given and well as a visitors list for them to fill out. Heather

Headaches can also be a sign of dehydration. I work nights and notice that I do not drink enough water during my shift and when I get home I am too tired and just go to sleep. Keeping well-hydrated is important and may help with keeping the headaches at bay. Hope you are feeling well soon.... Heather

I had to learn to sacrifice a clean house for a while so I could focus on my future. It drove me nuts seeing my house a mess but I got over it! It gets a little better once you graduate but after working a 12 hour shift and coming home, the last thing on my mind is a clean house. I like the advice of getting a maid....I wish I would have done that! Heather

Hi Daisy16! We have a few CNA's in our NICU that function as our secretary/ tech. They do order entry, assist with cleaning equipment, restocking supplies, record info during an admission. Every once in a while they will assist with feeding a baby; it's not a lot of patient care. Here in FL where I work, I think the starting pay is probably about $9/hr. You'd have to check at local hospitals in your area and see. Good Luck to you! Heather