stephlucasrn2008

stephlucasrn2008 specializes in MICU.

Latest Activity

1. Just got hired in ICU....any advice?

   stephlucasrn2008 replied to nursekatie22's topic in MICU

   I am just ending my orientation in MICU. It is VERY hard! But I love it! Orientation is somewhat like school and treat it like that. If you aren't familiar with a drug or condition or test, go home and look it up. I knew it was going to be hard,...

2. Med error~Hard to explain on paper!

   stephlucasrn2008 replied to jaxnRN's topic in General Nursing

   Yes, a med error. I know this never helps but YOU DIDN'T DO THE PATIENT HARM. Things happen and often nurses (including myself0 are too hard on themselves. Last week I was interrupted while preparing to hang an antibiotic. Never primed the tubing...

3. NCLEX Takers Support Thread

   stephlucasrn2008 replied to mat25:40's topic in NCLEX

   I passed on 8/18/08 with 75 questions... Here are some pointers, take if you wish... #1 - KAPLAN! KAPLAN! KAPLAN! I used probably 5 or 6 books over my entire last year of school and I thought the Kaplan book was outstanding. It's only $35, too! ...

4. NPO and meds

   stephlucasrn2008 posted a topic in MICU

   This migt be dumb question but I am confused (and not to mention, I've had 13 preceptors in the last 2 months)... If a patient is NPO and has an OG, NG, g-tube, etc. and has meds that are to be given throught it, should you hold them. I had 2 patie...

5. Anything else I can do with a BSN without starting out in the hospital first?

   stephlucasrn2008 replied to Rainbowbright77's topic in General Nursing

   If you are worried about stress level but still want experience to move onto bigger and better things, I suggest trying an inpatient rehabilitation unit in a hospital. I have a friend that almost stroked out everyday during our critical care rotatio...

6. In your experience.......when a seemingly "stable" patient tells you they are

   stephlucasrn2008 replied to JennRN65's topic in General Nursing

   I had a 46 y/o M who was A & O and doing extremely well after a valve replacement. I walked by his room and he was walking with the foley still attached to the bed and his IV pump 10 feet behind him with the tubing about to give. I ran in and ...

7. August2008Support Group!!!

   stephlucasrn2008 replied to Husky_Lover_RN's topic in NCLEX

   I am taking mine in August, as well. I am using a very helpful technique, in addition to the MILLIONS of practice questions... I say "I will pass!" at least 5 times a day... Since, it's proven you have to do something at least 35 times before it b...

8. Career change/why so neg on nursing?

   stephlucasrn2008 replied to dragonflycafe's topic in General Nursing

   I was always told, and have come to know, that nurses that "hate" their jobs will automatically send negative vibes and tell you off from nursing. I mean, it DOES make sense. Every person finds their niche.

9. I am afraid I will fail : (

   stephlucasrn2008 replied to New2block's topic in General Nursing

   If you put your mind to it, you can do it! I barely passed college algebra my senior year of high school and almost went into shock when I got a B in stats. Nursing math is doable! And to this day I can spell many common words, but cholecystectomy...

10. What would be good experience?

    stephlucasrn2008 replied to AngelaChanel24's topic in General Nursing

    If you already have a bachelor degree, you could try the accelerated BSN. I think it only takes 1 1/2 to 2 years. I know a few people that have done it. I am from the Pittsburgh area and there are about 3 or 4 programs offerings this option. I wo...

11. need help with resume

    stephlucasrn2008 replied to litbitblack's topic in General Nursing

    I've used this one and have received many compliments from nurse managers and HR peeps... -In Time New Roman, size 24, bold and underlined I put my first and last name with RN and tab the underline over until it has reached the end of that line The r...

12. Math help please!

    stephlucasrn2008 replied to I_LOVE_TRAUMA's topic in Emergency

    easiest way that I taught myself... Step 1 - Calculate your mL's per hour - So, if you are running 1 L over 8 hours, it's 125 mL/hr Step 2 - Multiply your mL/hr by the drip rate - So, 125 mL/hr x 15 gtt = 1875 Step 3 - Divide the product of mL/hr X g...

13. Young Eating Unit Secretaries

    stephlucasrn2008 replied to FireStarterRN's topic in General Nursing

    control - control - control everyone needs a little (or a lot) of control

14. will be taking boards in a couple of days

    stephlucasrn2008 replied to chiynadol's topic in NCLEX

    #1) ASSESS ASSESS ASSESS - this also means check, validate, observe, monitor, watch, etc. #2) meds - NVD (generally speaking) #3) when in doubt, go with the answer that you wouldn't yourself do LOL (it actually does work)

15. what meds should I NOT be around while pregnant?!?!

    stephlucasrn2008 replied to momnurse84's topic in General Nursing

    Tamoxifen because of the hormones...