GregCP, RN

Totally agree. Excercise regularly and schedule one day a week to escape- no nursing work. I did all my studying, clinical paperwork, etc....for 6 days a week, and made sure I rewarded myself for one day, guilt free, to do whatever I wanted...go see a movie, play my video games....etc.

Nope. You have lower BP's because your blood is "shunting" elsewhere.

YOu need to quit that job. The future doesnt look very bright...as a matter of fact, it seems to appear very dangerous. THen when you find a new job...please watch what you say. Dont gossip, limit your complaining (at best dont even complain), and make friends. If you dont build a healthy relationship with the ppl you work with, you wont survive. If the DON is telling to you that "she wouldnt recommend you for hire"...that bad...real bad. Youre a new grad, you can't start spitting out, in front of everyone, what wasnt done, what other's arn't doing, etc....be courteous, respectful, and be humble. If you went in with an EGO, you need to get rid of that pronto.

^^ wow, I'm impressed! God forbid I'd ever need surgery..but if i did, I'd be happy to have you as my nurse, ANYDAY!

My Job: Pediatric Med Surg, 12 hr shift, 7pm - 7 am. I get report, draft all my information on my patients, see my patients, assess, tx, VS, parent education....then chart. CHeck the fridges, glucometer check, stock kitchen amneties, then do my rounds for another quick assessment, VS, meds. During the night, I feed the babies, change diapers, and collaborate with physicians and other departments to assure that diagnostic tests and treatments are completed. In between all that....i browse the internet. Near the end of shift, obtain any labs, wts, meds, and a final set of VS. THen, draft a final report. The day shift nurses arrive, i give report, count narcotics...go home, get drunk and play my playstation 2.

I've been with my wife for 6 years...no kids. I've come to the conclusion that RN school made me sterile. In additon, my hair started to thin, I've gained weight, and became a borderline alcoholic. OTHER THAN THAT, IT'S BEEN A HELL OF A RIDE! GOOD LUCK IN NURSING SCHOOL! :wink2:

I highly recommend Kaplan, in my opinion, the best review to prepare for the NCLEX.

Well, if you put it that way.....I'm WITH YA SISTA! :wink2:

Sounds to me like a "Battle of the EGOs" reaching a high point. I agree you need to stand up, if a decision isnt the best for a pt...but from reading your post....this is beyond "pt care" and more focussed around your own pride. Maybe its not the OR ,itself, that is malfunctioned...its you.

So, in terms of what I've said above, the only thing that you would contraindicate would be the heel pack? Hmm...then it must have been pretty good advice. Even though your nurse prefers venipuncture before heel sticks, doesnt mean that it should be the standard. The reality is, you cannot gaurentee success to obtain a sample on a butterfly.....and just the sight of the needle..tourniquet...wraping a baby...is enough to traumatize any child. So if the lab permits a heelstick, then it should be your first choice. Now, I dont want to tell you what to do.....instead, just think about my rationale. Sorry for the snotty remark at the end....I took one look at your post and looked at your credentials...and I couldnt help but question the validity of it.

::revised::

Scalp veins should always be your last resort. IN terms of finger vs heel sticks, i always use heel- more meat to work with and less painful. Do this rather than a butterfly (depending on how much blood you need), because you can't gaurantee that you'll always get blood on your first stick...also, a heel stick is less traumatizing, because you dont necessarily have to restrain him, take mulitple attempts, and fish, like you would with a fly. Apply a warm pack 10 min prior to doing the stick, and the technique behind getting blood, is to allow time for the heel or finger to "refill" itself with blood- in other words, do not squeeze constantly. To prevent it from clotting, have a 2x2 bedside, and wipe off the site when the blood flow begins to slow down. But as a CRNP, with 6 years of expereince (uh huh....), you dont need me to tell you that.

First impressions are crucial! If you walk into the pt's room, be sure to know everything about this pt- the parents will ask you questions, and if you dont know whts going on....the nurse-pt relationship is shot to hell. Parents are more protective of their childs well being, even more so than themselves...just keep that in mind.

1 st time: Failled Nclex answering the full amount of questions using up every minute of the clock 2 nd time: listened to Air Supply's, "Making Love Out Of Nothing At All". Over and Over and Over again (single's track), and passed the Nclex, shuts off at the bare minimum (64?)

In the pediatric med surg floor i work in, they require me to take PALS, Chemo, BLS, and if you do nights- Charge nurse.