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My Dr put me out for one week but won't me back with only a 20 lb weight lifting restriction. Im nervous because it's a lot of bending.

Hey everyone, I graduated as an LPN 7 years. Just graduated with my RN last week. I've applied for homecare position and only got $1 raise. I'm starting at the hospital next month and my pay rate decreased $6. I've pretty much went broke in school and have responsibilities. I'm not excited to be a new RN because of this.Has anyone experienced this?

Hi all, I've started working with a kiddo with an infinity pump. The order says 190ml/hr. Do I set 190ml/hr as the dose and rate? I'm confused.

Thanks so much for the reply. Also for the tip about the hydroxyzine. I didn’t know it could also be good for pain relief. It’s a struggle because the oncologist doesn’t want this patient to get too much of these meds so trying to keep him stabilized is an issue. But why would there be orders if we can’t use them to benefit the patient. For the Ativan it’s is 2mg/ml.

Hi, I was giving the clonazepam and oxycodone together. Pain would subside and then if anxiety didn’t get better then I’d give the Ativan and then another hour the hydroxyzine. Well another nurse reported me to the family and told the DON I was over medicating so I had to second guess myself. It has been a whirlwind. Because he was on morphine and oxycode and we were alternating. Then they just put him on the oxy and increase it to 22.5mg. The oncologist is now in control of pain meds and he wrote for the Ativan. He says the patient is also over medicated because once when he visited he was too sleepy and drowsy. I tried to explain because he doesn’t sleep at night. I finally got an order for sleep. I feel as if I’m doing everything myself as I’m first shift and the other nurses doesn’t care. The oncologist told the family the patient cancer isn’t curable but treatable and that he has a 70% chance with chemo to survive this. ( I swear he said it) so the patient and family is in denial about his diagnosis. I stay in my place. He’s also still a full code and doesn’t want to go to DNR.

I have a stage four patient that I’m caring for in home. Very agitated, anxious and always in pain. He’s also currently getting g palliative chemo. Here’s the meds I’m concerned about. Oxycodone 22.5 mg every four hours Ativan 0.5 ml every four hours Clonazepam 1 mg PRN BID Hydroxyzine 25 mg PRN BID. He’s seeing several Drs and all are within network and aware of his medication. I’m concerned this is too much. Sometimes he has pain and anxiety. I’m afraid to give oxycodone with the benzos due to fear of causing respiratory distress. He alway has on 150mcg fentanyl patches. Also, because the clonazepam is PRN twice a day. Does it have to be every 12 hours ? Sorry if my questions are dumb but I’m needing clarification.

I’m working with a patient with a gtube. After he had a bowel movement. His gastric contents are lingering in his gtube. He was also complaining of feeling gassy and pain in his abdomen. I vented his gtube and he got some relief. I tried pushing the gastric contents back into his tube but they come back out and when I open the tube they’re trying to come out. I check residual before and it was only 10ml. His last feeding was two hours ago. Any advice?

I’ve just started home health and I’m confused on COPD patients l, their oxygen sats and oxygen levels. So is it true that COPD patients thrive better when oxygen levels are 88-92%? What happens if they go above and are asymptomatic? What of the patient doesn’t have oxygen and their o2 sat is at >92% ? What oxygen rate shouldn’t a COPD patient go above? So Doctor’s order 2L and the patient has SOB but do better on 4L. So then what? What happens if a COPD patient is in the 80’s or low 90’s do you panic, especially if no patient oxygen? Sorry for all the questions.

Hello Everybody, I’m so full with all of your replies and support and most of all your honesty by sharing your real raw truth with no shame. I spoke with a psychiatrist yesterday- I felt so relieved. It was a virtual visit. I didn’t hold back. He thinks I have depression with some PTSD ( due to trauma as a child). I did reveal I was a nurse and he says he treats a lot of nurses and other Drs as well. I honestly, didn’t mean to reveal that to him but it came out. He started me on a low dose of an SSRI. I will start tomorrow. I felt much better. I’m ready to get help and feel normal again, if I can remember how that feels. Just wanted to give an update. I’ve also have been distancing myself from my family because they overly depend on me and it sets me off majorly. thanks so much to all of you wonderful nurse. It’s hard to reply to everyone but I’ve read all of your posts and I’m so thankful.

I want help I’m just tired... mentally, emotionally and physically I am drained and exhausted. From my family needing me, from my patients needing me from everyday duties. I’m tired. if that makes any sense. I feel very unfulfilled as an Lpn and the lack of respect is there. I want more and now I feel as if I’m settling. To answer your question, I can’t take unpaid time off. I’m a single mom with no help so I have to push on through.

Having being a nurse for a little of two years I feel the same as you sorta. I’ve had my share of jobs already. Now I’m starting to feel nursing isn’t for me. Sigh one thing my instructors told me in nursing school and I hold true to, if unsure seek help. Ask a colleague, pharmacist or call the supervisor it have be it because these are ppls lives and practice the five rights religiously. If a order doesn’t seem right- question it. I’d rather be wrong then hurt someone. But I know how an anxiety disorder can cloud your judgement. I think you should find something that fits your pace and work on asking tons of questions before accepting a job. During orientation ask to actually visit the floor and talk to some of the nurses that works there. I too, have had a dream job then it turns out not that way. Find a non bedside job like case management. All the best,

I’m glad you found that combination that works for you. I’m going to call around today. I’ve just been a bit of funk lately.

I’m just tired I’ve seen Drs and just because I’m so good at faking it they say I’m fine and I’ve tried counseling but none of them fit for me. I’m making a appt today after looking at some reviews. Thanks Do you feel your Dx ever get in the way of your work? Thanks for sharing

Hello, I’m new to this forum and just needing other nurses to talk to who may understand. I’m 30 years old and a single Mom. ( well I take care of my nephew had him since he was one he’s now 13) I have no kids of my own. I'm an LVN working on prereqs to obtain my RN. I was in the RN program but had to stop due to no help with my son. I've only been a nurse for two years and can’t find anything I like. Which is sort of depressing. I've worked a year at a drug center and a LTC at the same time. Then 5 months at a drs office. Now I’m doing homecare and hate it. I’ve suffered from depression since a teenager due to dysfunctional family dynamics. I usually get to the point where I’m frustrated with jobs and quit. I can’t handle stress, I take work home with me and things people say get to me. Other nurses not wanting to help and it just becomes overwhelming. I have terrible anxiety and suffer with depression daily. Along with that, I don’t have a passion for nursing. I hate bedside nursing and hate the responsibility. Sometimes I cry because I feel stuck and I feel as if I’m taking care of everyone except me. I’ve seen psychiatrist and therapists and I hid it so much that they tell me I’m fine. But I know how I feel. Is it any nurses here that have anxiety or depression? How do you deal? I feel like I need a month off to take care of myself. thanks