Vicki17

Question: What does "Continuous pulse ox monitoring" mean to you? For me this means a pulse ox on the finger (or other usable area), continuously throughout the day and not just during vital signs. However, my preceptor says it doesn't mean a constant monitoring, just during v/s. (but everyone gets v/s q4h so what would be the point of having a separate order for continuous.) Curious how others interpret this order. Thanks.

Thank you! You've made a lot of good points. I know things aren't always perfect and in fact I have a ton to learn. As a few mentioned, I will just keep trying to learn everything I can and not make too many judgments or conclusions at the start, while trying to be the best I can personally be (which won't be perfect either). I realize this seemed pretty silly now... after one day.

I'm going to try not to rant/vent but no guarantees... I just had my first day on the floor with a preceptor with my first job and am already concerned. Not about how I cried in the bathroom, the car or at home (because I didn't). And not because it all seemed overwhelming, etc. (because really I was mostly shadowing). But because I felt like the standards of at least the person I was with were atrocious and potentially unsafe (yes, I'm being judgy and tell me if I'm being too much). I'm not sure what to do here without alienating the people I may be working with for the next few years. First, except for about 2 times (being generous) I never noticed my preceptor wash their hands or use hand sanitizer upon entering and exiting the room (did use gloves each time). They also never did a head to toe assessment, though encouraged me to do it. They said they forgot their stethoscope. Their reason was that they had those patients yesterday. (um.... shouldn't each nurse do a head to toe, even if only a 5 minute one each shift, maybe comparing to yesterday works for some neuro things, but it's not going to tell you if lung sounds have worsened or that a pressure injury is forming). There were other minor things that are true with some nurses anywhere (like always talking loud and what I consider condescending (yes I know, pot, kettle, black...) but those are personality and whatever... But, for the things I consider not minor, what should I do? I first tell myself, well, I will be the kind of nurse I want to be. But I also know how easy it is to adapt to the culture and standards of the group you work with. Maybe it's not the whole group, maybe just this nurse. I haven't been there long enough to tell. I could speak to her directly, but when I say first day on the floor I mean FIRST day. How would you take some upstart punk telling you how to do your job LOL. Going higher has potential consequences but for who. Perhaps there is a suggestion box (I doubt it) where I can be anonymous. I was so worried about finding a job and did but still really didn't get any interviews or offers anywhere else. I just don't want to fall into bad habits, and of course want patients, even when not mine, to be safe. I don't want to quit because I think the place isn't up to "my standards" (sounds so pretentious). To be fair I mostly did clinical in magnet hospitals and this is not. Maybe after a time I can get involved in quality improvement committees, etc. But for now, as a total noob, what would you do?

Wonderful advice - thank you!

As a brand new grad, only speaking of what I think I would do. First consider how much of a pay difference it would be and if you can personally take the hit financially. Also consider that it sounds temporary. Secondly, do you think you WILL get the opportunity to be in the ED where you are with adequate training, etc. You are new in your career so changes now seem easier now than they will in a few years, especially if you still haven't gotten the training and skills you need. It sounds like the switch would be a good thing to me.

Thanks all of you! After my first day on the floor (mostly shadowing), I'm realizing this will be the least of my problems unfortunately. Most of the nurses seem quite friendly and I'm sure that between the policies and asking for help where needed, I will work it out. I'll have to do a new post for my new concerns now...

I would advise you look up examples of cover letters and maybe check Youtube, etc as well. But essentially yes, it can be a place to expand on your skills (like customer service, leadership, etc.) that can't really be shown in your resume. It also tells them what position you are interested in, etc. And if room why you are interested in nursing, their unit, etc. It should be in the form of a business letter, etc. If possible, get the actual name of the hiring manager (though this seems hard), otherwise do a more broad address like Dear Hiring Manager or to whom it may concern (though this seems really impersonal to me, LOL). It should only be about 3-4 paragraphs and not more than a page. Good luck!

Thank you!! I guess I'm just nervous. Excited too ?

If I was you I would go but I have a kid and wouldn't have family anywhere else. I would love to move to a much smaller town. But I would say ask the place you are thinking about what the nurse ratio's are, maybe check the laws. Like in CA where I am, there are laws on the books so it doesn't go above 5 (or isn't' supposed to). I can't imagine having 8 patients! Because it's a smaller town, maybe less patients but also maybe less nurses. You may be just as swamped with work because they can't hire too many nurses or helpers, etc. so do your research. I think simplifying your life and finding calm can always be a good thing. BTW I'm from a large city/metro area and want to move to a small town in Idaho. Maybe someday haha.

I'm sort of in the same boat but my father does help watch my son. But he even has to take him to work with him sometimes. I'm wondering how you got through nursing school in this scenario? Wouldn't you have needed help, who helped you then? In my situation, if my father can't help me, I just know I'll either have to find a day care (well, night care). I do have a place that has 24 hour care, it's expensive though. The other option, depending on your home, is live-in care, partially covering the room and board with a little extra (check the laws). That ends up being cheaper and they are always there so you can leave as arranged. Check out au-pair companies too as those are sometimes cheaper but usually live with you.

Hi. I'm starting my first position as a night tele nurse next week. Unfortunately, somehow in school I just didn't get a chance to practice several skills, at least not successfully, including folly catheter insertion or a successful IV. While my work has a residency program, to my knowledge it's not super long or in depth. More about policies and orientation, etc. So I guess my question is, what is the best way to go about getting help without being annoying to my co-workers? I don't want to impair the safety of patients and I know these skills can be gotten down once I do them a few times. I just don't want people mad at me for asking for help.

Congrats on finishing and passing your NCLEX! I also made a career change with 15 years experience NOT in the medical field. Think about it, most new grads don't have experience either. At least you have experience dealing with difficult people so use examples how that has helped you in nursing clinicals. I got my license in April and start my first job next week! I used my experience in quality assurance as a plus and maybe that helped? Your experience matters and is no less than most new grads anyway ? Good luck!

Thank you! Perhaps I will check in after that if I haven't gotten more information from my classmates. Best of luck to all of you!

I'm a student so my response is based on that. But I'm about to go into my last semester and had only ONE chance to start an IV and unfortunately it popped out, so zero successful starts. In doing clinicals, I've run into more than one nurse who is fairly new or even within a year that admits they don't do many IV's, or "aren't good at them yet." I feel like as a nurse, you need this skill. So while being a CNA is more appropriate to the full skill set of nursing, phlebotomy will help solidify that skill and maybe you will be one of the hero nurses everyone calls because they have a hard IV (hmm... so maybe you don't want that - kidding, somewhat). I wish I had more experience. I considered taking a phlebotomy class but couldn't afford it and also have a child and work. I knew others that did and enjoyed it.

Hello future CSULB nursing students. CONGRATS to all of you that got in and will be attending this fall. I am going to be a 5th semester student and oddly am not here to offer advice (though can if asked). This will seem inappropriate but I don't care. I'm desperate. I honestly just wanted to know if any of you have had much communication from the school about Fall semester. Have you received your schedules or registered for classes? Has anyone heard what is going on with COVID-19 and getting back into the hospitals (for students)? I feel I've just been abandoned by the school. I can't even get on to beachboard (the schools student site). I know they are still figuring things out but at this point I don't believe they will have us back in fall and I guess if you guys are scheduling and what not that would give me hope. I realize I could ask my fellow classmates, but they are in the same position and I don't want to keep losing points pestering the administration.