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.

Hell, if they paid more on days, I still wouldnt do it....i feel your pain. I never liked days. I think its because Im such a zombie, first thing in teh morning. I prefer nights because you do have time to think, take a break, and go at your own pace. Granted, it depends what floor you work, like L & D or peds (which I'm in), however universally, Nights are more tolerable than days (if you can get used to sleeping in the daytime).

Well first off, I have no idea what kinda education you have because if youre a CNA or LPN, youre basically limited to being "hands on" with patients- because in comparison to LPN and RN (i too was an LPN), LPNs tend to be task to do more of the technical jobs, lab draws, vital signs, catheter insertion, etc. First ask yourself why you feel you are looking for a practice away from bedside care or pt. interaction, because if its due to lack of self confidence, that will change. Now, if youre the type that wants more structured or routine (i do know what you mean by that, for I too, am looking for a job thats routine), then get your RN, pursue case manager jobs (most of which require at least a BSN), maybe pick up a job at a clinic- you'll be tasked to be the Supervisor delegating LPNs and CNAs, another field, conscous sedation, or infections control.....keep in mind, it would behove you to at least get a BSN to qualify for these positions.

LOL, two things, either youre a homophobe or you're desperate for "love". Here is some advice, if your looking for a hookup, then be yourself, and find someone who loves the real you. If you're asking what it takes to accel in this practice, then you should be asking "what kind of nurse you should be that best fit the needs of your patient", because there is a difference between working adult med-Surg and Pediatrics..which I'm in. How about this, be yourself, practice with confidence and competence, and set your own standard, instead of trying to meet the standard- ppl who accel in this practice, administratively, are men and women of all different personality traits...but they all have one thing in common, they do their jobs well, are well educated, and portray self confidence.

Yea, the statement is well known, because its so true. They do eat their young....and it is generalized into these certain aspects: education (new grad), age, and seniority (just got the job). Im a new grad RN, 26, going into a workplace, where Im the newbie. My feelings....Im petrified! All the aspects of being "young" is against me....and I feel like im throwing myself into a pool of hungry sharks! Why this exists...idk. Maybe its because they, too, once gone through the same ordeal, and want to pay back or have their turn for redemption from their own experiences as a newbie. But being a male nurse, i think the hazzing or initiation wouldnt be as severe as if a new young, new grad, female. Like what others have addressed, the stigma of our gender shows that we handle things differently...in terms of being direct, not afraid to stand up for ourselves, and being firm. Whereas, if female, people wouldnt be afraid to do a tap dance around her.

Very cool!

If youre starting your first year soon..how are you, now, in clinicals? But in any case, having adaquate calories shouldnt be an issue..since you are able to have a lunch break. The problem is, getting sick or physically worn out. My advise, drink plenty of water, take a MVT q am, and be smart on what you physically CANT do- if you feel you'll need help transfering a heavy patient...GET HELP! You'll save yourself from injuries that may plague you for the long run. Try to stay off your feet as much as possible- if you are doing paperwork, find a place to sit down..your feet/knees/back will surely appreciate you! Last and most important, the first sypmtom of a cold or flu, there is this new product called "Airborn" available OTC. It was invented by a teacher because she would get colds when entering large crowds. My girlfriend who is a RN too, gave this to me during my clinicals..and it worked GREAT! First sign of a cold, i took this, and then i was better in a day or two!