YouCanCallMeFrank RN

YouCanCallMeFrank has 3 years experience as a RN and specializes in Medsurg/tele, IMC/PCU.

Latest Activity

1. SMCC vs USM

   YouCanCallMeFrank replied to Smokey1129's topic in Maine

   Hi Krystan, It's been a few years since I completed the program, but I have friends who have enrolled since then. My understanding is the semester is still set up so there are four days of classes per week for the first two weeks, and then just ...

2. Night Shift Advice

   YouCanCallMeFrank replied to lily41's topic in New Nurse

   I really enjoy Celsius energy drinks!

3. Night Shift Advice

   YouCanCallMeFrank replied to lily41's topic in New Nurse

   I've only been working overnights for the past year and a half, but here's what I found works for me: Invest in some blackout shades and/or curtains. They are a lifesaver! I also stay up until 0100-0200 the night prior to my first of three ...

4. SMCC vs USM

   YouCanCallMeFrank replied to Smokey1129's topic in Maine

   Hi there, From a financial standpoint, SMCC is a better choice -- you can start working sooner (well, as long as you've already completed your prerequisites and other graduation requirements -- I don't recommend taking the other classes while al...

5. What should I know before Nursing School?

   YouCanCallMeFrank replied to FutureNurseSL90's topic in General Students

   My comment was about strict memorization vs understanding/learning. For example, memorizing normal lab values vs understanding what high and low values mean, what to look for, interventions, etc. "Normal" lab values differ between facilities -- not t...

6. New Grad Programs - Do they not tell you what shift you work?

   YouCanCallMeFrank replied to newnursewhodiis's topic in New Nurse

   @JKL33 I am not under contract at all. That being said, I live/work in a smaller state with very few hospitals to choose from -- really only two healthcare systems in the entire state. The one I work for is supposed to be the "better" one, as we are ...

7. Preceptor Issues

   YouCanCallMeFrank replied to hiimnewhere's topic in New Nurse

   I had a similar-ish experience -- my daytime preceptor was extremely patient and helpful and always provided opportunities for me to ask questions or offer feedback. When I started on nights, my preceptor was much more nonchalant, and essentially ful...

8. New Grad Programs - Do they not tell you what shift you work?

   YouCanCallMeFrank replied to newnursewhodiis's topic in New Nurse

   I just recently started my first RN job back in January, and I was hired for a new-grad residency program. All of the new grads (or anyone without experience, for that matter) started with the same base pay and had the same differential available wit...

9. What should I know before Nursing School?

   YouCanCallMeFrank replied to FutureNurseSL90's topic in General Students

   For me, the biggest differences I found between my nursing classes and my prereqs/non-nursing classes was how I needed to study and how the exams were written. First of all, rote memorization will get you nowhere. The questions typically found on exa...

10. Disabled ASN-RN With No Experience

    YouCanCallMeFrank replied to ASN-RN's topic in New Nurse

    Hi there, I hate to burst your bubble, but it sounds like your expectations are extremely unrealistic for someone without any experience. Pay tends to dependent strictly on experience and performance, and if you have neither, you start at the bo...

11. Tobacco free environment and testing for nicotine. Lawful? Thoughts?

    YouCanCallMeFrank replied to BeatsPerMinute's topic in General Nursing

    My employer requires tobacco screenings for all their employees. Their logic is that smokers tend to have an increased risk of comorbidities; therefore, insurance companies end up paying more for smokers vs non-smokers. Individuals who either fail th...

12. Rules on recapping needles

    YouCanCallMeFrank replied to Bml's topic in New Nurse

    I was taught to never recap used needles--meaning, recapping after drawing up a medication was fine, just not after the medication has been administered. My understanding is that it is to prevent used needles from accidentally being used more than on...

13. First Position - How to not look dumb?

    YouCanCallMeFrank replied to Vicki17's topic in New Nurse

    Hi, there! I just graduated in December and started my first job in January. We never started IVs in clinical (or even practiced thanks to COVID) and the hospital doesn't allow students to start foleys--the most I was able to do in school was a singl...

14. Graduation, NCLEX, Job Timeframe

    YouCanCallMeFrank replied to Jordan Bergeron's topic in New Nurse

    I had planned on taking some time to decompress between graduation/NCLEX/starting my first job, but it didn't end up working out that way. I ended up passing NCLEX on a Thursday, two and a half weeks after graduation, and I started my job the followi...

15. Pretty sure I failed

    YouCanCallMeFrank replied to PBandJForever's topic in NCLEX

    I also just took my exam, which also ended after only 75 questions. I felt the exam was extremely difficult. I had between 20-25 SATA, the vast majority of the topics covered were completely foreign to me, and I felt I guessed on all but maybe two of...