http://allnurses.com New at nursing? Feel free to discuss issues related to your first year as a nurse. This will be a great support forum for those new to our profession! en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:56:30 GMT vBulletin 60 http://img.an-file.info/misc/rss.jpg http://allnurses.com http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/rough-night-440197-new.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:24:48 GMT My last shift was the closest I have ever come to quitting in my life. I arrived on shift to 8... My last shift was the closest I have ever come to quitting in my life.

I arrived on shift to 8 patients. The 9th came up while I was getting report. A patient who had been on the floor for two hours was scheduled for a CT and the previous shift hadn't done the paperwork. While filling it out we foound that the patient's IV was not large enough. My normal charge nurse was on vaction. I asked the sub to please do the IV for me while I did the admission assessment on the new arrival. She told me I needed to try the IV. If I didn't get it after two attempts, then she would come do it. Transport was standing there waitint for the patient. Luckily the ER had replaced her IV at one point (in the reports that the previous shift had not read). After I get my new admission completed and settled I assessed the rest of my patient only to get 5 requests for IV pain meds and 2 requests for IV antinausea meds. I told the sub that I needed help and she blew me off. The beeped me to IVs going off and for the pain meds that I already knew about and was trying to administer. She even came down upset with me because she had to administer a patients meds because his family was complaining. Not once did she offer assistance in any form. Finally at 11, the other relief charge came on shift. Immediately he jumped in to assist me. However I did not complete my 9pm med pass until 11:30. Three of my diabetics had their sugar go out of control. One went hypoglycemic early in the morning from the coverage we had to give him from his meds being delayed.

The next morning when the family of the patient that complained the night before woke up, they demanded to know where I was all night. I let them know how their family member was doing at each set of rounds from 12 on. It still did little to smooth over their unease with their family members care.

I spent most of the evening from 8 until 11:30 on the verge of tears. Good thing that the majority of my patients have had me on numerous occassions and knew that I was getting them taking care of as quickly as I could. Most patients had to wait over an hour for their pain meds and some patients were not seen by me for over three hours.

How I am I expected to keep my patients safe under these conditions? The regular charge would have taken care of the CT paperwork and IV if necessary. She also would have given most of the pain meds and dealt woth the call lights for beeping IVs. She probably would have done the admission assessment and definitely done the paperwork. The charge who came on gave pain meds if the patient called the nurses station requesting them and told me to keep working on my charting. We ended up with 20 patients split between two nurse with the charge to assist. I heard yesterday census was up to 23, and there will still be only two of us. I almost dread even going in tonight. ]]> First Year After Nursing Licensure gillytook http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/rough-night-440197.html http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/starting-doubt-nursing-440178-new.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:08:40 GMT Here is a short summary of my situation.
Currently I'm a third year student at Orange Coast College. In my first two years I wanted to become pharmacist then on the third year(this year) I decided that the career is not for me. I picked Computer Science at first and actually took one class and I do not like it at all. Afterward I've been looking into Nursing career ever since(6 months already). I don't want to let me parents down and I feel like the longer i stay in this school the more they disappointed in me.
Just today, I typed in "I hate nursing" in google just to check out the cons for this career and to my surprise there are so many that actually starting to worry me. I've already do many research and here are some of the cons I've found:
1. Underpaid + Overwork.
2. Really really really stressful career.
3. People don't give you respect (coworker + patients)
4. Screw up schedules (ruined your social life)
5. There are many more but it seems like my thread is getting long...

I have a few questions for Nurses.
1. DO you like/hate your job? why?
2. DO you recommend nursing career for students? why?
3. DO you regret going into nursing career??
4. Is it true that there are variety of nursing jobs in one hospital?? for example if you hate your area/floor you can pick a different one in the same hospital and have totally different experience??

Please please answer these questions from the bottom of your heart. I'm so depressed right now. Right now I just want to rip my B*lls out with my bare hands cuz I don't feel like I'm a man anymore. I don't know since when have I become this indecisive and so low in confidence. ]]> First Year After Nursing Licensure thongvo89 http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/starting-doubt-nursing-440178.html http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/before-my-1st-440134-new.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:49:26 GMT Hi to all,
I'm just beginning to look for my 1st job and I would love to know:

What would you recommend to a new LPN to make the transition from student to real world nurse easier?

Is there anything you wished you had reviewed, studied more or did before taking that first job?

I Know:
"Good Luck if I can even find a job."

I really appreciate any tips or advice.
Thanks so Much,
tlc2u ]]> First Year After Nursing Licensure tlc2u http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/before-my-1st-440134.html http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/now-i-understand-440057-new.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:30:42 GMT Im a brand new nurse, graduated in May, I was excited and ready to take on the nursing world. I had... Im a brand new nurse, graduated in May, I was excited and ready to take on the nursing world. I had heard of burnout and "nurses eating there young", but I was determined to keep my head up and look forward no matter what. I was lucky enough to land a job in the ED. I asked for 2 additional weeks of orientation and know I feel Im getting my ass handed to me unfairly. I must say I love, love nursing, I love taking care of my patient, I love the look of my patients when I give them a warm blanket or relieve them from their pain. I love making people comfortable when they cant take care of themselves. THE problem is the older burnt out, disgruntled nurses that try to make it harder for the newbies............Why? I ask, Im in my forties, I dont get involved in the politics, Im not viving for a spot in the lime light, as Ive observed from some nurses, and I dont do cliques. I feel like I can do this job, but dont know if I can take at this facility..............I want to stay, just to prove to myself that I can endure.............BUT is it necessary. I am considering leaving, I hate feeling this way.............this sucks really bad. Lord help me.:sniff: ]]> First Year After Nursing Licensure motivated2nurse http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/now-i-understand-440057.html http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/my-night-ended-439932-new.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:03:56 GMT I am a brand new nurse on a med/surg floor. I have been orienting with a preceptor for just about 3... I am a brand new nurse on a med/surg floor. I have been orienting with a preceptor for just about 3 weeks now. My preceptor was out sick so I was assigned to worked with another nurse. Last night I had a patient that was supposed to get a biopsy done the day before and somehow it was not ordered in the computer correctly and was not caught by the 3 different shifts of nurses that took care of this pt before my nurse and I came on at 11p. We made sure it was ordered for the next day. So anyways we went about our night and it went very smoothly. Stable patients no major issues. So at 7 am the day shift came on and the MD that ordered the procedure was there also. I was waiting to give report and happened to be the one the doctor took his frustrations out on. Why wasn't the biopsy done yesterday? This is ridiculous. He ordered me to get my supervisor immediately. That happened at shift change, and paging two doctors for 2 other patients with abnormal labs a half hour before. Anyways it just seemed like all this stuff happened at once and everyone looked to me like how could I have let this happen. I felt completely incompetent and responsible. I was so frustrated with the hospitals charting system (all paper) and amount of mistakes by several different people to let this happen. But it all fell on me. Thankfully it was not life threatening but it was an unneccessary delay. I held it together until I saw my manager in the hallway and she asked me how my night was. I completely fell apart. She was so great and rushed me into her office to talk about it. But I cried like a baby. She made me feel better and said it happens to a lot of new nurses, and it will get better. On my way home I felt even worse for breaking down like that over something that doesn't sound like that big of a deal. It was completely unprofessional. Now I am questioning if this is for me. If I can't even handle one frustrated doctor over a non lifethreatening situation am I going to make it as a nurse? Did I completely waste the last 4 years of my life to get here? I would really appreciate any suggestions or anything to help me through this. Thank you ]]> First Year After Nursing Licensure wsuRN2009 http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/my-night-ended-439932.html http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/financial-decisions-439641-new.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:49:24 GMT So I am a new nurse this year and recently hired for this job (LTC), with still no credit history.... So I am a new nurse this year and recently hired for this job (LTC), with still no credit history.
I was wondering if I can get advices on how to manage my income and on how to make and build
a good credit standing, since if you have no credit here in the US you cannot buy a house,
a new car, get approved on loans, etc. I just want to think ahead and probably make the right decisions in the future. I'm single and never married.

Any advices will be appreciated. :yeah: :yeah: :yeah:
Thanks!! ]]> First Year After Nursing Licensure +one http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/financial-decisions-439641.html http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/i-need-get-439620-new.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:07:16 GMT I've had 2 nursing jobs since I graduated (8 months total) and have not been working as a nurse the past 3 months! I am talking with a couple of hospitals to get back in (basically because I'm not making enough money elsewhere) but am pretty terrified. I have anxiety really bad when I think about having people's lives in my hands and how there's so much to know and how little I really do know! I would almost like to go back to where I started just because I know a little bit about the area already and think that may lighten the stress load, but feel like an idiot because I quit due to my extremmeee anxiety.. and they know that.. and to them it's an easier job.. so I would just feel really stupid.:imbar
Basically I feel like I'm so negative about being a nurse right now that no matter what I'm going to hate my job! I just need a real pick-me-up! I need to know that it DOES get better and that I CAN do this! and that no matter what dept they stick me in (aren't giving me much options since I don't have a year of experience.. so they're wanting to throw me in random med/surg areas)...I will not let it take over my life and I REFUSE to take medication due to a job! I just don't believe life should be like that. I know it's VERY stressful for some time when you first get started.. but I just need to know that if I fight through it.. it will be okay and that I can make this work for me.. without my family and outside life suffering...
Thanks for any thoughts on it... like I said, Just needed a pick-me-up =) :spin: ]]> First Year After Nursing Licensure LovePurple http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/i-need-get-439620.html http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/what-will-promote-439550-new.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:48:28 GMT I"m a new grad, and i see so many jobs with STAFF NURSE II positions. What type of nursing would qualify you to be staff nurse II???

- only hospital experience count?
- what about home heath? i heard home health hours count towards SN II, is that true??
- What about school nurse. ?
- agency nursing?? ]]> First Year After Nursing Licensure nurse441 http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/what-will-promote-439550.html http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/switching-depart-w-439278-new.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:22:35 GMT Hello all-- I was wondering what your thoughts were on my personal dilemma: I like my job... Hello all--

I was wondering what your thoughts were on my personal dilemma:

I like my job working in a chemical dependency unit, but I don't like my hours. I'm mostly nights with a few PMs thrown in there for good measure. Honestly, this swing shift with mostly nocs is killing me--I'm 38 and it's hard on my body, plus I have 2 kids. I have always known that I didn't want to do this job for more than a few years, as I didn't want to lose touch with some of my nursing skills and it isn't my main career goal. I did my internship in oncology and I've took hospice volunteer training in March. I have always wanted to do home health, and a position has come available at my hospital for straight AM's for a hospice RN. Now, I've only been at my current job for 4 months...do I dare apply internally for the hospice job? The hours would be wonderful and I would love to do that type of nursing. Any thoughts???? ]]> First Year After Nursing Licensure Jen_the_RN2009 http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/switching-depart-w-439278.html http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/when-does-rn-439182-new.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:57:40 GMT hello. im a new grad RN in med-surg. i was wondering whe does a RN take CE (countinuing... hello. im a new grad RN in med-surg. i was wondering whe does a RN take CE (countinuing education)? Where do I find the resources? Do I take the course as a class, online or are their other ways to take the course? ]]> First Year After Nursing Licensure xj3nnerz http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/when-does-rn-439182.html http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/cna-during-nursing-439087-new.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:49:12 GMT Hi, I am just starting in nursing (http://allnurses.com/#)school. I was wondering if it makes a... Hi,
I am just starting in nursing school. I was wondering if it makes a difference when you are trying to get into a new grad pgm or trying to get a job, if you work as a CNA, while in nursing school, at the hospital you are trying to apply to. I was thinking of applying to the jobs that say that you need to complete first semester of a nursing program, which are basically CNA jobs. I am in So. Cal. if that makes a difference.
Thanks in advance for your responses. ]]> First Year After Nursing Licensure Ivanam http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/cna-during-nursing-439087.html http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/new-rn-told-439006-new.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:41:45 GMT Hi I am a fairly new RN. In my current job (for the last 3 years), I have held a LPN lic for WA... Hi
I am a fairly new RN. In my current job (for the last 3 years), I have held a LPN lic for WA state. My job discribition says qualification are that of an LPN, CMA or Respiratory Degree.

Now that I am a RN, I did not renew my LPN lic last month, my employer just told me "you need to inactivate your RN and activiate your LPN, and do this by the end of next week or you will be on administartive leave - non paid"

I cried yesterday, when Administration told me this, since I told them when I got my RN, back in Sept., that I was not going to renew my LPN lic.

HAS ANYONE had a similar situation?:angryfire
gail ]]> First Year After Nursing Licensure ougreene http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/new-rn-told-439006.html http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/computer-charting-having-438997-new.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:13:24 GMT in Kaiser Hawaii, we went live with our Epic computer charting. it is a great software, but... in Kaiser Hawaii, we went live with our Epic computer charting. it is a great software, but everyone is still trying to figure out the new workflow with charting. We print out a patient list with the room number, name of patient, diagnosis, code status, attending, diet, what not, but im trying to make my own brain/cheet sheet/report sheet to help organize my day. anyone want to share their brain? i work on a med-surg/oncology floor we get about 5 patients. ]]> First Year After Nursing Licensure xj3nnerz http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/computer-charting-having-438997.html http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/can-employers-find-438891-new.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:36:36 GMT :coollook: I have taken the NCLEX a few times. Is that info available to all who inquire? :coollook: I have taken the NCLEX a few times. Is that info available to all who inquire? ]]> First Year After Nursing Licensure MsDiva812 http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/can-employers-find-438891.html http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/can-new-potential-438889-new.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:31:28 GMT I have taken the nclex a few times. Can the number of times I've taken the boards be revealed without my consent ]]> First Year After Nursing Licensure MsDiva812 http://allnurses.com/first-year-after/can-new-potential-438889.html