HelloKittyRN

I have already graduated, but we had to do this in our last semester. We had to take at least five tests, and print out our test results. I think my highest score was a 76. I was so worried about passing the HESI on our last day. Because of exams and papers we had to write I only had 1 day to study for the HESI and the majority of the day was spent socializing b/c we were with a big group. I was so worried for nothing. I ended up getting a 92% on the HESI. The test questions were a lot harder than it actually was! Don't worry about it, you will do fine!

When I first got out of nursing school I worked 3-11 5 days a week! I absolutely hated it! But, I now work 7a-7p and absolutely love it. I only had to work 3-11 for 6 months. Check out other floors and other hospitals. Everyone needs nurses, and there is almost always tons of positions available! Good luck to you!

About when you were mentioning calling DR's and taking orders.....I remember this was the hardest thing for me. I always talked my preceptor in to calling for me. Then one day, they made me do it. Of course, the doctor was not very nice (depends on who you get, but a lot of them are like this). He started yelling at me, and of course, being a new nurse I started to cry on the phone with him! After I got off the phone, I just lost it! But an experienced nurse gave me some good advice. She said that we shouldn't let the doc's get to us. If you sound like you are meek and not confident of course they're going to make it harder on you! She said to sound confident, know exactly why you are calling, and don't take any crap from them. I was so scared to do this! But she was so right. When I have to call a DR I make sure I have everything I need in front of me. I keep things short, and get right to the point. And now, since I have learned a lot about the DR's we have, I know who is nice and who is not so nice. But I don't let them intimidate me. I always remember that I am calling them because of my patient. Some people are terrified of calling, and just don't do it, but you have to remember, if you don't call, you are not taking care of your patient like you are supposed to. Don't be afraid! It takes a lot of courage, but I know you have it in you. Also, I still consider myself a new nurse, even though I have been one for 14 months. I learn something new every single day and I don't hesitate to ask questions and believe me, they are days that I think I sound really stupid and don't know what I am talking about, but remember.....the patient doesn't know how long you've been a nurse, if you look and act confident, they will have no idea! You'll start to feel better about yourself and then acting confident will come naturally! Hang in there, if I can get through it, anyone can! and yes, floor nursing is tough, but also very rewarding. Look towards your peers, they are the ones who understand and can help you through these tough times! Good luck! Keep us updated on how things are going.

Thanks for the advice, that was what I was thinking, too. To answer some of the questions, I'm not sure if it is end stage renal failure or not. I know he has had renal failure many times before so I know it isn't the beginning stages. He is in another state so I can't look at him and his chart to assess him. I can't talk with the doctor b/c he is in another state. All I can go on is what my family members tell me. The doctor told him he would not make it so they put him in a nursing home. He has had CHF for a long time, probably more than 15 years. I know the diminished output makes him tired, but what I don't understand is if the heart only has 20% ejection fraction, how can it keep going on like this? And how long will it keep going with very little output from his kidneys?

I currently work on a medical floor and have worked their for 18 months as an aide and 13 months as an RN. I am constantly busy and always learning new things, I truly enjoy it. I don't plan on being on the medical floor forever. I currently am working towards my BSN and then I want to get my Masters to teach nursing. This has always been my dream. Who knows, maybe I'll end up teaching med-surg!

I work in Elkhart and I started out at $18. After I passed my boards, I got a dollar raise. I currently make 19.50. We don't get sign on bonuses as new grads, but our hospital does offer tuition reimbursement and scholarships. They also have a BSN completion program where the college comes to the hospital for classes. They also help to pay for this. Our hospital is not huge so that is probably why we don't get paid as much. I know that Michigan hospitals pay a whole lot more for their nurses!

Since I'm not sure where you live, I'll just tell you about the ones I know about. Indiana University of South Bend has a BSN completion program that takes approximately two years. Classes are around $200 a credit hour. I just started back to get my BSN and I am taking classes through the hospital I work for. Goshen College comes to our hospital one night a week. The program is 19 months long and we don't have to do clinicals. Total cost is 13,000, but when you think about it that isn't too bad, because the hospital helps pay for it and the books are included. What about an online course? I checked in to those and I was considering it until they offered this program at my hospital. Bethel college also has a BSN program, but they are kind of expensive. Good luck!

Wow, that patient load sounds like a lot to me! No wonder you feel overwhelmed! I remember my first few days on orientation......so much stuff to learn! I think nursing school tries to prepare you for this, but no matter what, your first few days are crazy! Just a few suggestions for you....talk with your preceptor about time management. Ask her how she prioritizes her day. Some people use a "brain" and this helps them a lot. Basically it just contains pertinent information about your patients. Carry this with you wherever you go. Also, since you just started orientation, don't take a whole team of patients. Try starting out with one, getting your skills down and then move up. You'll notice that once you get the hang of how things work, it will get easier. Trust me, I know exactly how you felt. Maybe try to pick a nurse that could be your mentor. You know, give you advice and you could talk with her about certain issues or problems that you are having and you could work them out together. A lot of people say to use your preceptor as this person, but I don't necessarily agree with that. Sometimes you can have a preceptor that just isn't in to teaching a new nurse. If you find that one nurse that is very patient and an excellent teacher and good with patients, try to snag her! I know every floor has some of these nurses! Also, don't beat yourself up if you make a mistake or don't know how to do something. You're not supposed to know everything! Hang in there, it will get easier. Good luck to you!

I've only been a nurse for a little over a year and I don't have a lot of experience with death and dying. A family member of mine was in the hospital for a few weeks. He is 78 years old and has every health problem you can think of. He has had previous MI's and was in the hospital for this again. The doctor told him that he only had 20% heart function and his kidneys were failing. He told him that he wasn't going to make it. He was discharged to a nursing home and is currently there. He is in another state, so the only information I get is from my other family. I can't see him, so I'm only going on what I have heard. He has been in the nursing home for about a week now. At first he was doing really bad and they thought he wasn't going to make it through the day. Well, I just found out today that yesterday he was getting "better". I know he has CHF and they said his breathing is better and he has had some urine output. How much? I don't really know. A few days ago it was scant. Now, it could be 100cc/24 hours. The edema in his legs and arms is still the same. He is still A&O, he has been throughout. I'm told that he is very tired and sleeps most of the time. He eats just bites and only takes sips. He is also very weak and doesn't get up. I guess what I'm asking is.....Is he going to get better? How can someone live with only 20% heart function? Or is this something that usually happens? That patients get a little better before they take a turn for the worse and die? I just want to know what you think. Help please!

The advice from the others is great, I just have one little thing to add....be sure to ask what the nurse/pt ratio is and if they are centered in primary care or team nursing. This may make a big difference for you in selecting which hospitals you want to work at! Good luck!

I have only been a nurse for a little over a year, but I already feel like I am getting burnt out. All of the extra hours I have to work, stress, and on top of that being a new nurse! I never realized that floor nursing would be like this. And now....I have been on a medical leave for the past 3 weeks because of an injury to my neck and back. I don't know how much longer I will be able to do floor nursing. I work on a medical floor and we are expected to do just as much for our patients as the aides do. This includes bathing people, feeding them, and lots of lifting. I'm still young (only 24) and I'm scared that another five years of doing this is going to kill me off! What I was wondering is....is there another aspect of nursing that I could go into without losing any pay? I only have my ADN and one year of experience so I don't know how far that will get me. I've looked in to working in a doctor's office and the RN's make a lot less more (if they are even hired at all, mostly it is LPN's and CMA's). Please help! Any suggestions?

This summer I would really like to continue my education and get my Bachelor's. I live in Northeast Indiana (really close to the MI border) and I was wondering if any of you knew a good school that I could go to. I wouldn't mind doing online or commuting. If anyone has any suggestions that would be great! Thanks!

I work in a hospital that is primary care and we don't have to do baths, turns, and ambulation! We are responsible for 4-5 patients and we do an assessment on them and pass meds. We have very good CNA's that do the baths and turns. Most of the time I will help them with the turns and if I have time I will pitch in and help with a bath here and there, but I have never had to do all those things for my whole team. That is why we have such great CNA's that work on floor. Good luck, I think you will like this way of nursing. I enjoy it.

I've been a nurse for 10 months and sometimes I still find myself getting back in to the groove of depression and not wanting to leave the house or even talk to anyone. I think its that whole reality shock thing. Going from nursing school to actual working is a very big transition and sometimes really hard to handle. If I start to feel anxious or depressed I try to do something that I enjoy. Sometimes its shopping, sometimes I like to read and then I found out that doing scrapbooking really made me feel relaxed! You just have to find what works for you. I don't personally take anything for anxiety, but I know a lot of the nurses on my floor take something for their nerves. Most of them take Xanax or Valium. I was also having trouble sleeping at night and then I tried Tylenol PM and that helped a lot. I don't need it nearly as often anymore, only once in a while, but it was really great. We're all here to talk with you especially if you're stressed. Because I'm still such a new nurse I remember how hard those first few months were. They still can be difficult, but I think I've learned to manage a little better. I hope this helps you. If you need anything just let me know.

I have been a nurse for 10 months and there was a time when I thought things would never get better. I was working evenings 3-11, and I was working on a medical floor and we tend to be very busy. There were times when I never thought I could make it through the night. Also, I was scared to ask for help if I needed it. I finally got over that fear and asked for help when I needed it. That helped some, but I also made sure to take a break every night that I worked. And when I say break I mean getting off the floor for a few minutes to clear your head. Your charting will always be there for you when you get back. Your own piece of mind is more important. Also, with time I found that my organizational skills got better. So, hang in there! Things will start to get easier for you. Going from nursing school and transitioning to actual nursing is very hard. That's why we all have to stick together and encourage one another. I wish you luck, feel free to chat with me at anytime if you ever need to talk or even vent about your job.