Help on medications

1. Hi!!.
   
   Finally I will start working in a med-surg unit. I went to the hospital yesterday to do the paperworks..so far so good.
   
   I learned that during the orientation we will have an exam on medications..anyone of you who can guide me on what particular medications that I can include in my review..id really appreciate it. This is my first job..Im concerned about the "old eating the young"...which I read a lot in this site.I hope I wont get that experience.
   
   Im concern about a lot of things like the medications which I am not familiar with, the clinical skills ( the hospital setting we have back home is totally different from here), know-how with the modern facilities..etc...its endless.
   
   If you have any advice for me..now that "the day" is coming near..It would certainly be welcomed. Im from the Philippiness and I dont know anyone here yet with whom I can let out my concerns. Its good I found this site.
   
   Have a nice day to all.

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2. 

   About avolensky

   Joined: Aug '01; Posts: 31; Likes: 1
   At present, Im taking care of my kids.

   8 Comments

   Topic Closed
3. 
   Jan 17, '03

   Is it a dosage test and a med test as far as popular meds? I would study classes per se. Make sure you have your formulas in your head. I studied meds like lasix, dilantin, other cardiac meds, blood thinners. hmmmmmm.
   
   renerian
4. 
   Jan 17, '03

   Ask if they have a study guide. Ask if you can use a calculator.
   Find out if they use the NLN medication exam. If they do, it's a 60 question exam that is heavy on standard medications, nothing too new or exotic. There are calculations and a few chemo questions. Again nothing too exotic or specialized.
   Ask about the retest policy.
   
   
   Good luck.
5. 
   Jan 17, '03

   The ones I took are just like Dr. Kate said. Know basic side effects of chemo
   Digoxin
   When to check pulse or BP
   and IV drip cals
   dosage conversions and calcs
   
   Good Luck!
6. 
   Jan 18, '03

   Also, maybe know your narcotics, and anti-inflammatory meds like Decadron and Toradol, and anti-emetics like Phenergan and Zofran. Oh! And anti-seizure meds like Dilantin. Is the floor a specialty med/surg floor?
7. 
   Jan 19, '03

   I had two interviews for a med-surg position. I am supposed to hear on Wednesday whether I have the job or not. No one mentioned a drug test to me, but I am thankful to be warned!
   Thanks for the 411! And now I'm off to look for my pharm book!
8. 
   Jan 25, '03

   My recommendation to all nurses, new and old alike is to always have the latest edition of a Nurses Drug Handbook. I buy a new one every year. Some hospitals provide them for their nurses but most don't. It might be expensive but they are tax deductible as professional expenses.
9. 
   Jan 25, '03

   Make sure you study the meds commonly used in the elderly, who will make up the majority of your patients. You'll see lots of chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular problems, dementia, pain, and depression, so the medications used to treat these problems are good ones to be familiar with. You'll also want to know what IV solutions are generally used in certain instances and have a good working knowledge of treatments such as heparin drips, blood transfusions, and IV pain meds. You will gain confidence as you study and then give these meds and treatments over and over again, so don't get too stressed out....you'll do fine!
10. 
    Oct 17, '03

    I am a new grad working med-oncology floor. I use a palm pilot. There are several very good palm drug programs out there that have excellent IV information, drug side effects, dosages, etc. This tools helps me so much. I have it on me at all times. If there is a question about drug compatability with IV meds, I run a program that indicates any significant incompatibilities with the those particular drugs. Also for pt teaching, while in the pt's room, I do not have to run out to get a book to look up information. All the info is in my pocket. I think palm pilots are a must for nurses. There is a nurse download called Pepid RN with disease processes, diagnosis info, associated labs, teaching etc. There is too much info to know, and keep in our heads. It gives me confidence to have the right answers in my pocket if needed. You can also build in your own info under memo, like procedures you don't do often that you might need to review quickly before doing them. So many uses it would take all day to list!!!

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