Finals time

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Specializes in Family Medicine, Tele/Cardiac, Camp.

Hey all,

I know the majority of posts on this board seem to be about people looking for programs or preceptors, or what have you, but I just wanted to reach out the grad students who are in their final year - as I am.

One more semester left. This year has been horrendous for me. Crazy times finding preceptors, failing my midterm by 0.2 points despite my consistent A's and A-'s in the program, finding out my boyfriend's mom has cancer, she starting the chemo treatments....it's been intense. There has been so much crying and stressing. For a while I was even severely depressed and thinking about quitting my program. After so much hard work.

I wanted to start this thread as a general vent/support topic for grad students in the same place as I am. How's it going studying for your finals? Are you doing well? Freaking out? What are your strategies in coping? I'm terrified, but today I'm optimistic.

There is so much to know, but I try to focus on how good the rewards will be.

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Specializes in nursing education.

Hi, thanks for starting this thread. I just finished the semester today. Had my advanced pharmacology final yesterday, presentation today for my big semester project. Whew!! Two more semesters to go after this.

Strategies? Just going and going and going. I finally get to sleep tonight.

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This has been a miserable semester for me as well. I have two left. This semester is over after two more finals and then six weeks off. I am keeping myself going by making a list of all the things I want to do during the break.

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does anyone know where this question originated from?

A client has chest pain rated at 8 on a 10 point visual analog scale. The 12-lead electrocardiogram reveals ST elevation in the inferior leads and Troponin levels are elevated. What is the highest priority for nursing management of this client at this time?

[h=3]1. Monitor daily weights and urine output.

2. Permit unrestricted visitation by family and friends.

3. Provide client education on medications and diet.

4. Reduce pain and myocardial oxygen demand.[/h]trying to find rationale behind answer.

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Specializes in Family Medicine, Tele/Cardiac, Camp.

I know the answer to that question, Renee. But I think you should teach yourself to think critically and not ask the allnurses community to do your homework for you.

Best of luck with finals everyone! I have my last final tomorrow and then sweet sweet winter break. :)

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Specializes in nursing education.

What class or classes do you all have for the next semester? I have "vulnerable populations" and lined up my 200 hours of clinical with an NP who works with CKD and the diabetes teaching center here doing inpatient and outpatient. It will end up being more than 200 hours I think.

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I am taking "Primary Care I". My school arranges preceptors so I will not know who it is until January. I sure wish I could arrange my own -- it would get me closer to my house. I also have Diagnostics II, which is in the class room. I was thinking of taking a nursing education class but don't want to do any more work than I absolutely have to. I can do the extra classes after I graduate.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Hi Renee, the answer is obvious, but here's the rationale:

Nursing management for a client with a myocardial infarction should focus on pain manage-ment and decreasing myocardial oxygen demand. Fluid status should be closely monitored. Client education should begin once the client is stable and amenable to teaching. Visitation should be based on client comfort and maintaining a calm environment.

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Specializes in nursing education.

Be careful what you wish for, TammyG! A lot of my classmates would love it if the preceptors were all lined up for us. In our area, it is very competitive to find a site because there are so many schools and students. Since I am a CNS student, not an NP student, it was easier for me, but watching my classmates struggle and get frustrated just trying to find someone- anyone- is rough.

You can always take the nurse educator classes afterwards in a certificate program or online. It's good to focus for now. I was thinking similarly (but with some of the PMHNP coursework).

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Specializes in Family Medicine, Tele/Cardiac, Camp.

I'm taking Primary Care II and our program "helps" (theoretically) with finding preceptor placement, but most of us have to find our own. I too live in a very saturated area and am really nervous for next semester because I don't have anything lined up yet. That'll be my goal for intercession - get some preceptors!

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