Captain_k

Honestly, when I was going through that in school, I remember it being terribly overwhelming. But it was the prep that was overwhelming! Not the Actual shift. It made for so many hours put in in a dAy. However, we were so prepared, and our shifts went so well. Also, our instructors selected our patients carefully for us. They made sure the meds they were on (and number of meds) and conditions they had were appropriate to help us learn. And they were there with us all day every day. I feel a little sad for you that you aren't being properly supported. My instructors would always say that we didn't have to feel nervous for our evaluations, because if there was an issue, we would know long before our evaluation came. So it's really unfair that you were surprised by bad critiques during your evaluation. You can do it though! It will get easier and easier. I feel bad that you are not getting more support though. I don't think it's your fault at all.

I agree that 8 patients and no aide sounds like a recipe for failure. What exactly does the CRN do all day? Does she help with the workload?

Med surg is excellent experience to help you learn the skills and physiology you need to know to be an ER nurse. Appreciate the opportunity to learn in depth from the proper time you have working with these patients in med surg.

When I was in school, we were expected to go in the night before or an hour early on the first day with a new patient load. We were expected to review the chart, make a care plan, and have detailed med information ready for every med we would be giving. We were never allowed to give a medication without knowing what it was for first. There is no way you can review charts and meds before your shift starts and have med cArds ready? As a student, you should have med cards with you. Also I never review notes and labs on a patient before doing assessments. I would use the information from report. I would review the careplan, then go down and do vs and an assessment on each patient. Then pass meds. Then you can sit down and chart later and review the chart a bit more at that time.

I disagree with most of the other comments. Suggesting that people like that are in every work place is simply not true. That is not a normal experience you had, and I truly believe you need to make a formal complaint and report those awful people. I am so sorry that happened to you. That does not happen in a normal workplace. You might have coworkers you don't like, but you should never be bullied like thAt. I really think you will go to your new work place and have a blast and be able to breathe a sigh of relief when you realize you were in an abnormal environment at your last job. Just be friendly, be confident, and do your best. It will be great.

Thank you so much for answering! I really appreciate your kind words. And sorry, I did mean to say "pill splitter", not "pill crusher". I've edited that in my post.

I have gotten myself all worked up. I recently started trying to conceive. I haven't been working much lately, so I wasn't thinking about my pill handling practices. However, I was giving finasteride and methotrexate last night, so I was being extra careful. two things struck me. When I opened the Po methotrexate, I could really smell it! Does that mean I might have inhaled some? also, I realized I have gotten a bit sloppy at work lately. Our pill splitter is tricky to use with some meds, so often lately I have been snapping some tablets in half with bare hands (clean hands). Or occasionally if a patient drops their pills in bed, I will pick them up for them ungloved. This isn't for cytotoxic drugs of course. I know now how stupid this is, and of course I will stop doing it. i am so overtired, and now I've gotten my self all worked up. do you guys think I'm at risk of any serious exposure? Could I have damaged anything if I am pregnant? (It's too early to test) Do any of you guys touch pills? Not looking for a lecture. Thanks