gracie05

I was supposed to start working third shift last night (so to prepare I stayed up all night the night before and slept all day yesterday) and when I got to work, I was told my preceptor had switched days and would not be in that night. I was then to...

I make $20.49/hr with 3 years (ICU included) experience...welcome to IOWA!!!! I believe Iowa is one of the lowest ranked for RN wages. I live in Illinois and commute to Iowa (15 minutes across the bridge) because the hospitals on the Illinois side ...

I would suggest looking into a local community college. You can take all of the pre-reqs, which would help your GPA and also help your chances of getting into a program. If your local community college does not offer an ADN (associate degree nursin...

Some people are not able to have children at 20. Be thankful for your blessings and mind your own business about "advanced maternal age"

A patient of mine had a sign that said "No free water" on her door. One day she put her call light on in a rage and yelled, " I AM NOT PAYING FOR WATER IF THE OTHER PATIENTS HERE GET IT FOR FREE!!!!!!!!!" :chuckle

I had the most awful night the on Saturday. I work with this man who has been a nurse for 20+ years and is very smart, with a lot to share, but is a bully. He was given an assignment that he did not like and was also charge (which angered him great...

They attempted this where I work too. I am not sure where they stand with it, but i frequently clock out past 1930...nothing has been done yet, but I am sure they will find a way to get me. Actually, I probably won't get a raise at my annual review...

I LOVE the smell of Kayexalate too!!!!!!! The result of Kayexalate never smells as good...curious

Hey...how about we cut the OP some slack...she had a bad night...let her vent!!

I DID IT!! I finally decided to look for another job a couple of weeks ago, and found one. I currently work in SICU 3rd shift. This new job is a critical care hospital that many of my co workers have gone to. According to them it is great. I kno...

I made my first mistake (that I know of) after 1 year and 1 day of nursing!! I got report from the day shift nurse on a patient back from OR that afternoon. He had an epidural...in a PCA (my first clue). He did not have a button (for demand dose)h...

I think that calling the families "idiots" is ignorant. These families may very well be uniformed about how traumatic coding someone can be, or perhaps, they just see their mother, or husband or wife, etc. in that bed and cannot bear the thought of ...

I am closing in on one year in the ICU and I think one of the most important things you can do for yourself is realize that it will take A LONG TIME to feel even semi-comfortable there. I still am not 100% comfortable and know that I won't be for aw...

I am also approaching my year mark in June. I started in ICU and I have to say, it has been insane. To say that I have had a very difficult year would be a HUGE understatement. This has been the most overwhelming, challenging thing I have ever don...

I love my Danskos and New Balance tennis shoes. Of course, it helped that my mother-in-law bought them for me as a graduation present last year...they are expensive!!

I graduated May 2006 and went straight to SICU after passing boards. I am now 8 months in and still it is overwhelming at times. The best advice I can give you is to be recpetive to your preceptor and LISTEN. Study for you critical care classes an...

I add Johnsons Baby shampoo to the hot water....makes for a very clean and pleasant smell. I cannot take credit for this...one of the veteran nurses taught me this one!! (One of many great tips)

He is not really approachable. There really is not a way that I can think of to talk to him about this without him getting mad. He is an excellent nurse, and I respect him and appreciate it when he takes the time to teach me new things, or show me ...

I actually have stood up to him. About a month ago, he was having a bad night and I asked him if he wanted me to get him something to eat and he bit my head off. I stood there for a second looking at him (he got embarassed) and I told him that I wi...

He came in last night and told me that I was a "trooper" the other night. I think that was his way of apologizing...what a joke. Many people have gone to the charge nurse, managers, etc., but nothing is ever done.

Unfortunately, there is not a way for me to change my schedule...I have classes. I usually can deal with him, but that night he was in rare form. He does look like a jerk all the time and people know what he is like, it is no secret. I just wonder...

How long have you been working? What about the floor stresses you out? What kind of orientation did you receive? I am a new grad (May 06) and I work in ICU...and felt/feel overwhelmed like you. If you really don't like it, try and job shadow on a...

You may be right about talking to him when things are quiet. Thanks for listening!

He is like this EVERYTIME he gets busy. I understand people have bad days, I am not immune to being crabby to people when under pressure...but it is not a constant thing. When his patients are stable, he is pleasant to be around for the most part.

I don't have any answers to your questions, but I wanted to let you know you and your son (and his family) are in my thoughts and prayers. :icon_hug: