[Forme]

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.

[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

Originally Posted by Forme

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 ***********

[Forme]

Originally Posted by 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

Thankyou for your help rybear. It did help me to know that ace inh ends in pril. i am very knew at all this and am probably the only one in my class that does not have any previous healthcare experience at all and then I look at all the things that are needed to learn and I know it is going to be hard to conquer it all. Thanks for your help, I hope you are available for future reference.

[strong_willed]

Originally Posted by 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

and generic names for beta blockers end in -olol
hope that one helps you study a little better. pharm was not my best subject, but I made it my #1 priority and now do pretty good at it!

[bemory]

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

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.

[Mister Chris]

Originally Posted by bemory

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.

Love this list as well as the preceeding ones. Fantastic solid advice I wish had been around when I started out in nursing (back in the sixties!).

Yes - never forget yourself when out there battling for others, you are the most important person you will come to meet. You must be well to help other be well, or get well.

Lastly I will say be yourself, you are unique and special. Thank you for coming into what I call the most rewarding and testing profession in the world - caring for people.

Love you all,
Mister Chris

[elthia]

I started working evening shift, within 5 months the other 2 evening shift RN's a.) retired, b.) transferred to another unit. I had less than 6 months experience as an RN and I was the senior evening shift RN on a 32 bed unit. I was, and unfortunately still am , charge nurse almost every night I work. Some things I have learned.
1.)LISTEN TO YOUR EXPERIENCED LVN'S AND AIDES!!!! I work with some wonderful LVN's that have saved my patients and my license more than once. Respect them and their experience, you may have more formal schooling, but they have experience that you don't. Always let them know that you will listen to their concerns if something just doesn't "seem right with Mr. so and so.", or "I have a question about this med".

2.)Make a list of what concerns you need to address and prioritize. The charge nurse does walking rounds at my facility, and I carry a paper to write things down such as room 1 needs an IV site, room 2 is constipated, room 3 needs a social worker, room 4 needs pain meds, room 5 has new onset abdominal pain in RLQ, etc. Then I prioritize them in my head and cross them off as each problem has been addressed appropriately, or MD notified.

3.) Don't be afraid to jump in and help out others. I have found out that once some of my coworkers realize I am not afraid to "get my hands dirty", then when I really need to stay at the desk and verify orders or call MD's/lab/xray etc, those coworkers will pick up my patient care needs until I can leave the desk again.

4.) Vent your frustrations as needed, but only in private and to those people you can trust to not "carry tales".

5.) Remember to laugh and to cry as needed.

[Rayrae]

Once again, after my first two shifts with "real patients" as a "real nurse", I have to come back and say THANK YOU ALL!!! I now can read this list with fresh eyes related to my recent experience and the thousand new fears and thoughts whirling through my mind. I copied your tips onto a new sheet in order to take with me and refer back to later. Once again, I just have to keep saying it , THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

[SmilingBluEyes]

Your tagline says it all:

Siempre tu puedes.

Believe it!

[Eli]

Hi i want to become a pediatrician but i dont know what the majors are and what kinda colleges to go to in Nj? Can anyone help me plz.