A neuro ICU nurse works with patients in critical care who are suffering from very serious neurological compromise. Let’s outline some specifics.
Neuro Nursing
Neuro nursing is a nursing specialty requiring a complex understanding of neurology, stroke processes, and subtle patient changes. If you're interested in being a neuro nurse or maybe just increasing your confidence in neuro nursing and stroke patient skills, we've got you covered.
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Left MCA Strokes: What Happens With Strokes Involving the Left Middle Cerebral Artery
The middle cerebral artery (MCA) affects a lot of body functions. Here’s an RN to discuss what happens with left MCA strokes.
The Middle Cerebral Artery – Areas of the brain that supply the MCA
The middle cerebral artery (MCA) is an important part of brain function. An RN goes over the areas of the brain that supply the MCA and what can happen when it’s blocked.
MCA Stroke – What Can Go Wrong with the Middle Cerebral Artery
Wondering what the difference between a regular stroke and an MCA stroke is? Here an RN breaks down what an MCA stroke is and how it impacts patients.
Must-Know Tips For Neuro Nurse Checks
These are the most essential tips you need to know when you do your neuro nurse checks, all told from a nurse who has been there.
Neuro Nurse Assessment – Conscious Head to Toe
Learn how to do a complete neuro nurse assessment. This will teach you everything you need to know, even if you are a new nurse.
Neurological Exam: Level of Consciousness
Neurological Exam: Level of Consciousness. If you’re learning how to do neuro checks, one of the most challenging aspects can be distinguishing level of consciousness. Let’s go through each level of consciousness (LOC) that you’ll see and the main differences between them.
Neuro Assessment: How to Assess An Unconscious Neuro Patient Like a Neuro ICU Nurse
A neuro assessment is a critical skill for any nurse (not just neuro ICU nurses) This goes beyond simple neuro checks. If you’re interested in improving this nursing skill, this article is for yo
Why is My Stroke Patient NPO? What To Do & Why
If you ever receive a stroke patient and they are NPO, this is why that call was made and how you should handle it.
Top Tips for New Neuro Nurses
Working in intensive care is so different from the rest of the hospital. These tips for new neuro nurses will answer all questions.
Nursing Considerations with Brain Death
We discuss the difference between coma and brain death, how brain death is determined, working with an organ procurement team, and general insights related to this sensitive topic.
Talking to Unconscious Patients
Melissa Stafford, BSN RN CCRN SCRN – highly experienced and currently practicing nationally certified neurocritical care nurse. Elizabeth Mills, BSN RN CCRN – highly experienced neurocritical care nurse, current Stroke Navigator for a Primary Stroke Center. What You’ll Learn Talking to Unconscious Patients Key Focus: Effective communication skills for interacting with the unconscious patient and […]
Neuro Nurse Tips for Newbies Part III: Meds, Diagnostics, Monitoring, and Surgeries
Melissa Stafford, BSN RN CCRN SCRN – highly experienced and currently practicing nationally certified neurocritical care nurse. Elizabeth Mills, BSN RN CCRN – highly experienced neurocritical care nurse, current Stroke Navigator for a Primary Stroke Center. What You’ll Learn We continue our journey through neurocritical care nursing! Medications tPA – discussed in Neuro Nurse Tips, […]
Neuro ICU Nurse Tips for Newbies, Part 2: Disease Processes
Melissa Stafford, BSN RN CCRN SCRN – highly experienced and currently practicing nationally certified neurocritical care nurse. Elizabeth Mills, BSN RN CCRN – highly experienced neurocritical care nurse, current Stroke Navigator for a Primary Stroke Center. What You’ll Learn: This episode discusses a few disease processes that are typically seen by the neuro ICU nurse as well […]
Nursing Considerations for 3 Neuro ICU Meds
This is some quick info on a few very common meds you run into in the neurointensive care unit. However, please always follow your hospital’s policies and procedures. This is for informational purposes only and focuses on nursing considerations.. not going in-depth on the drug. Nursing Considerations for 4 Neuro ICU Meds Propofol or Diprivan […]
Noticing Subtle Neuro Changes for Nurses
Neuro changes are tough! It is really hard to know if someone is truly changing or if they’re just exhausted because we keep waking them up. Here are some of my neuro nurse tips.. Neuro nurse tips for newbies If your patient is in the intensive care unit, intubated and sedated on propofol, and you […]
Nursing Priorities for Ischemic Stroke Patients – From a Neuro Nurse
What are the most important nursing priorities for stroke patients? Oh, these are so important! I love my stroke patients. They have a special place in my heart. As a neuro nurse, I wanted to share what you should do if you encounter a patient having an ischemic stroke. These are the most important nursing […]
