Tips for nurses in their first year of nursing

hello, iam in my last year in the nursing program for LPN I am really scared because there is a strict rule on our test that if we fail more than two we are bumped out of the program. I want this really bad and I really need a tutor or mentor that can help me focus on the main points that are on my test. We are soon to have a test on drug names and references, and on Healthcare delivery system and arenas of care. Everyone that I have tried to get to help me is realy prone to keeping their information to themselves. I study alot but most of what I study is not on our test. Please Help Somebody. Email if you can ***********

I am a brand new nurse don't know if I can help you but i will try. Pharm is hard memorization is the key. I found that trying to find something that relates to the drug and name .for example ace inhibitors are antihypertensives and most ace inh. end with pril like Lisinopril ect. My instructor wanted pretty much us to know a side effect that was significant. the generic and trade name and how it works in the body and what for. if I can help I will let me know. Ry bear

I am a brand new nurse don't know if I can help you but i will try. Pharm is hard memorization is the key. I found that trying to find something that relates to the drug and name .for example ace inhibitors are antihypertensives and most ace inh. end with pril like Lisinopril ect. My instructor wanted pretty much us to know a side effect that was significant. the generic and trade name and how it works in the body and what for. if I can help I will let me know. Ry bear

1. use the bathroom! dont hold it in

2. take good care of yourself- your feet especially

3. get some sleep

4. take a minute to take a breath

5. never leave a room saying you will be back in a minute...because that minute may never come

6. you are not going to be an expert at putting in an IV- I have seen some of the easiest veins under the toughest skin, and no veins that I have gotten in. IF they are on prednisone- watch out

7. look up the drugs that you are giving to see what the action is. Check the blood pressure before giving ace inhibitors, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, nitropaste etc. check urine output before giving potassium

8. never never underestimate the power of golightly or lasix on an elderly patient. if they have to go, they mean it

9. rememeber that a conversation is better then medicine

10. remember that it doesn't matter if you are new or have 30 years of experience there is no reason for someone to make you feel incompetent. You graduated didn't you?

11. when someone codes and you feel paralyzed to help- remember Some- shock, oxygen, monitor, epi....

12 you are allowed to be human and cry, sometimes it will just get to you Even for male nurses!

13. remember when you are on the phone with MD's especially at night... get to the point...and most of the time these Md's dont know these patients so briefly tell them... ms. jones, chf, on tele, no pacemaker, just bradied down to 27. Usually runs in 50s asymptomatic.

14. the biggest lesson I learned was that nursing is always going to be a challenge because you are dealing with a dynamic field that is constantly evolving. Be scared. Be afraid but always look back and see what all you accomplished and its amazing.