4 replies to this topic

[NursetillaTheHun]

You have all inspired me to become an ICU nurse. I have survived the last 8 months. It is definitely intense.

I have a practical question. I am doing some new certifications and one of them is Swan Catheter. I think I am ready. I know all the how and when and what to do but I am wondering how it directs patient care. How do they actually use the numbers you get? So he has a crappy Cardiac Output and his SVO2 shows that he isn't using the oxygen that we are giving. Does it change what the doctors order? Do they actually look to see if the numbers are improving to assess if it working? Is having the numbers just a reassurance thing/ICU thing or are the risks really worth the knowledge?

I would love to hear your opinions.

[steph7cdc]

You have all inspired me to become an ICU nurse. I have survived the last 8 months. It is definitely intense.

I have a practical question. I am doing some new certifications and one of them is Swan Catheter. I think I am ready. I know all the how and when and what to do but I am wondering how it directs patient care. How do they actually use the numbers you get? So he has a crappy Cardiac Output and his SVO2 shows that he isn't using the oxygen that we are giving. Does it change what the doctors order? Do they actually look to see if the numbers are improving to assess if it working? Is having the numbers just a reassurance thing/ICU thing or are the risks really worth the knowledge?

I would love to hear your opinions.

I was an ICU nurse for 20 years and loved every second of it. i am now in the cath lab due to an injury but anyway. Swans do guide care. They let you know if you need volume or diuresis. If you have a low Cardiac index you can give volume and see the response. You can also tell if you geve to much. You can "see" starlings law in effect. A swan is like any other peice of equipment you have to look at the patient as well as the numbers you're getting. Swan's tell you a lot. You can follow trends, see if drugs are working. Keep neurosurgical patients well hydrated. There's way too much to tell you here. Good luck. ICU is great. you will learn so much you will be amazed.

[NursetillaTheHun]

Thanks steph! Very cool stuff. We don't get them very often on our Med/Surg ICU. I haven't had to deal with one yet. I did extra research after my question too. I have all the theory in my head, it will be cool to put it all into practice.

How is the cath lab treating you? I almost applied for a position there just so I could have a day job. Tempting tempting! Or the Electrophysiology Lab! Honestly, when I became a nurse, I didn't think the hardest thing would be choosing where to work.

[steph7cdc]

Thanks steph! Very cool stuff. We don't get them very often on our Med/Surg ICU. I haven't had to deal with one yet. I did extra research after my question too. I have all the theory in my head, it will be cool to put it all into practice.

How is the cath lab treating you? I almost applied for a position there just so I could have a day job. Tempting tempting! Or the Electrophysiology Lab! Honestly, when I became a nurse, I didn't think the hardest thing would be choosing where to work.

I work in a pediatric cath lab so things move slower than in an adult lab. I like fast moving! I really miss ICU. I worked in a large teaching hospital in a SICU that got everything you can imgine. I learned alot in my time there and loved being busy but I hurt my back and I still do it occassionally but can't do it full time. Tha cath/EP lab is good as far as the schedule goes and I love the people I work with. Good luck in your ICU career and if you have any questions just ask. I miss teaching new ICU nurses too. I really liked that.

Steph

[NursetillaTheHun]

There is a sign up sheet to start on the CODE team or the MET team. I want to do my ACLS before I do that. I find that kind of scary still. Have you looked at the new guidelines?