prenurse

You are a RN - yes as Rn's we have to do all sorts of work (i.e. cleaning up poop, dumping trash god forbid if it's running over and no one else empties it, do lots of paperwork and yes yes yes VITAL signs) BUT as I said - YOU ARE A RN - sounds like this nurse may be insecure, or just one of those people who like to *****. Now you wanted to be a RN before you met her, SHE can not make you change your mind. Just be a RN somewhere else. You should be getting your orientation - BECAUSE.... when you are alone they are not going to care if you did CNA work for your orientation they are going to expect you to carry your load and to do it right!. Stand up for yourself as a RN as a person, and as an adult, and if nothing gets done then you have to do it yourself and move on. It may be this unit it may the hospital in general (if administration is not changing things) but do not let ONE nurse ruin your profession. TAKE CARE and congrats on being a nurse.

Only you know yourself and what you can handle. Working in the ED will test your strongest self limits. :uhoh21: I have been a RN in a ED for one year, I have been a RN for one year - I had to do 3 months of med-surg which at first I hated but realized it was very helpful when I finally got to the ED. I LOVE THE ED, everyday, I love it, BUT it is a very stressful and demanding job. I already have pain in my left foot. We are a small ED - 15 beds total, 4-5 nurses on from 7p-11p but then we go to 3 at night from 11p-7a - one nurse does triage, so that leaves 2 nurses to divide 15 rooms - its tough, we are small but we serve 8 counties, we are at least 1 hour from all other hospitals. We have serious trauma's and we have toothaches - we see it all. GETTING INTO A ER RIGHT AWAY IS GREAT - SOME PEOPLE HAVE TO WAIT A LONG TIME - that in itself is a plus for you - AND YOU MAY NOT KNOW WHAT YOU WANT UNTIL YOU TRY IT. Many nurses change units all the time. I feel that experience in the ER is going to be the best. Everyday I feel a little bit better about my knowledge, but I am learning something new everyday Just keep your eyes open and your ears open and you will learn a lot just by watching others - also you will get a feel along the way which way is best and right for you. Mentors are great - however you have to do it your way. I read "Nursing 06" (magazine), I joined ENA (emergency nurses association), I also take as many classes as I can - I have taken TNCC (trauma nursing core curriculum), ACLS, ABLS (Advanced burn Life Support), Disaster training, EKG class, Triage class, etc..... You can listen to everyone and take it into consideration, but you have to do what's right for you and you will find out yourself - Good Luck with your decision!!

I feel that experience in the ER is going to be the best. You do have 6 years on other units - that is going to be a big plus!:wink2: I have been in the ER as a new nurse for one year now and I feel that everyday I feel alittle bit better about my knowledge, but I am learning something new everyday :yeahthat: Just keep your eyes open and your ears open and you will learn alot just by watching others - also you will get a feel along the way which way is best and right for you. Mentors are great - however you have to do it yourway. :biere: I read "Nursing 06" (magazine), I joined ENA (emergency nurses association), I also take as many classes as I can - I have taken TNCC (trauma nursing core cirrculm), ACLS, ABLS (Advanced burn Life Support), Disaster training, EKG class, Triage class, etc..... Good Luck!!!!!!

[banana][/banana] :lol2: i love it - the quote about the phone in bed with you - i do that all the time!!! and the other thing is i wake up around 4-5 pm and go in my kitchen and see the answering machine blinking with 3-4 messages!! and i say...somebody called here today??? :uhoh3:

I'M WITH YOU FRIEND - I AM 34, NO KIDS, AND I GET THE SAME THING ALL THE TIME, WITH THE SCHEDULE AND JUST WITH LIFE IN GENERAL. MY SISTER SOMETIMES MAKES ME FEEL LIKE, OR TRIES TO MAKE ME FEEL LIKE, I AM LESS OF A WOMAN OR I DON'T UNDERSTAND SOME THINGS B/C I DON'T HAVE KIDS. I AM SORRY THAT SOMEONE DID THAT TO YOU B/C I KNOW HOW IT FEELS. :yeahthat: I FEEL VERY CLOSE TO MY FAMILY AND WANT TO SPEND THE HOLIDAYS WITH THEM AND MY HUSBAND JUST AS MUCH AS THEY DO WITH THEIR KIDS. JUST OVER LOOK PEOPLE LIKE THAT. :angryfire HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU - AND CONGRATS FOR GETTING BOTH DAYS OFF!!

I can't believe they made you come in sick. I also had a similiar problem, I am hoorifice, can't speak, aches and temp, I called in christmas night, I felt bad about doing it- I never have done it in the last year myself, but I had too, when I called the house supervisor, "she said that is fine, we are running a little low on staff, but we don't want you here sick either". That was for me (I hope) and for my patients. I also work in the ER and also Med-Surg unit. If it were me I would definately say something to someone; it won't help the situation that has passed, but may help next time for you and change the policy. I am charge nurse for the med-surg unit and I would have taken a cart and patients myself rather than have someone come in sick; making the pt's sick, making other staff sick and making the nurse feel worse. sorry that happened to you

That's good if you do - I speak of not only of nurses but people in general, YOU have to be assertive in your own life, as a general rule people only help you so much, some don't at all. I always tell newbies to EDUCATE yourself. Don't go by what someone else tells you. I have been on units where I have heard LPNs say "I'm not going to show anybody anything" or "she isn't going to learn by me". I am a RN now and I do try to show newbies as much as I can, however there comes a limit, a time where the person has to account for themselves. In life I have learned that people for the most part don't want to see anyone do better than they have themselves. If someone gets a higher degree, gets promoted, gets more $$$ at my hospital, I see alot of negative remarks and slandering remarks made; much more than good remarks. It's a sad reality but it's true alot of times. We new RN's do appreciate nurses like you who do try to help out.

I work on a med-surg unit currently, we are always being pulled to other units: OB, ER, PEDS, PCU, ICU, Telemetry. We have a book that is kept showing which nurses were pulled when/where. We go by the book on who's turn it is to be pulled. I am going back to the ER Jan. 1st and down there nurses don't go anywhere; they are never slow and never have extra nurses. If you do not go to a unit when you are pulled they can write a variance for insubordination. (sp?):) unless you have valid reason why you don't want to go; like a speciality unit that you don't feel comfortable with.

You cold also check with your local rescue squard - if you volunteer for them you can become an EMT (emergency medical tech) and/or get your ACLS certification (most of the time almost free for volunteering). I think it's good that you want to do it and don't let any smart remarks or quick defensive attitudes hold you back from checking into it or doing what you want to do. Believe me no one helps you much in seeking education - you have to be a go getter and do it yourself. I am a RN and having to go thru it I have found out the hard way that experienced nurses don't hold out a hand to you when you need it - they turn their backs and walk away. Go for it and don't give up.

HI, Sounds like you have experience in the ER. I hope maybe you can give me some advice.....I graduate in May. I have a PT job as an RN Extern in the ER in a small hospital. I have seen everything so far except a GSW - I do everything they want me to do except for meds and IV's. I want to do ER when I finish but I am wondering if I should do ICU or a Med Surg Floor when I graduate first? I want to be a good nurse...I want to know what I am doing and have good assessment skills....I have no problem with seeing / helping with trauma's and the RN's Tell me now that I am doing good and they dont' see why I would need to do my mentorship anywhere other than the ER. But I know - that being an Extern is going to be different than being a nurse. What do you think?

i have a friend that is 54, will be 55 in august 05. hopefully we both will be graduating rn school in may 05 (i am 34) she is a cardiac tech now and hopes to work in the tcv as a rn. i certainly dont' think 50 is too old -unless you have problems that prevent you from working, but hell that could happen to a 20 year old!! you have to realize you have experience :balloons: !!!! i think you should focus on if you want to stay in nursing and if you can (physically)..... other than than forget your age! :) and don"t let anyone tell you anything different than what you feel. undefined

I am VERY GRATEFUL for the good responses I've gotten from you all. Thanks so much for taking time out to help me. Your responses make me feel like I'm "normal" and it's not just me. It helps to know that other's have been thru it. You all seem like strong willed people. It's hard to tell co-students what you are going thru - they are all going thru the same as me - but don't need med help. So it's a little belittling telling them what I'm going thru. And I hate to blame my anxiety just on nursing school, it almost seems like a cop-out. In the last year and 1/2 I have had a rough time dealing with the loss of father, unexpectedly, and my best friend (and neighbor) both of whom I saw daily, and were big supports in my nursing. My best friend died of cancer, the dx and the death within in 6mths. After reading your responses and talking with my husband and my friends and having the desire to get better and to get thru nursing school I did get the prescribtion filled for the Paxil. I start it today. So maybe in a few weeks I'll be back to my ole' self. I'll have to let you know how I'm doing! THANKS again - :)

Okay I am in my last semester of my 1st year of nursing school to be an RN. I LOVE it and I am making very good grades. The workload I don't have to say is HUGE!!! I'm not crying or unable to do my work with lecture or clinicals. I have ONE year to go and now this week--ANXIETY-- over load!! :imbar I had a panic attack last monday & tuesday. I have had mild/consistant anxiety every since last week. I got some PRN med from my doctor and have taken then PRN this week, however since my symptoms are still present (except a full blown attack) my doctor wants me to start Paxil (a mild dose) to see if that helps and limits/controls my attacks. The anxiety/panic attacks run in my family so he seems to think just b/c of my family situation, my stress load with school and then everyday life I need to start the Paxil. I am very apprehensive about starting the Paxil. I have never taken anything near like that and I am worried from the "bad" side effects I have heard from some past users. I do know some people that take it Qd and are fine with it. I guess if I need it I have to take it. My question is: is this an indication that maybe I can't Handle nursing? should I consider a change in careers? Or do you think this may be a bump in the road? Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Laura , I am from Virginia also, I am in nursing school now, just started this year, and I also feel the same way you do. I am so scared that I won't know everything when I do (hopefully) graduate. I thought maybe you could give me some pointers. What can I do to better prepare myself, or is there anything? If they won't show you or let you in clinicals I can't imagine where you would get the experience. Also, I'd love to know where you went to school? I'm enrolled at PVCC in Charlottesville, Va. I do agree with the first reply, I can see the frustruation with the experienced nurses having to deal with newbies but also I can feel the new nurses having to deal with all that over whelming new work! But just as I've seen from others and heard from nurses - WE all have to work together......New and Old, we have to learn new things, and most important, take care of the patients!! ;)Prenurse